1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
<html><b>God stands in the congregation of God</b> to see whether they [the judges] judge fairly, and you judges, how long will you judge unjustly?</html>
<html><b>justify</b> If he [the poor man] is right in his cause, do not reverse the verdict to condemn him in order to favor the wicked.</html>
<html><b>They did not know</b> The judges who pervert justice. <b>and they do not understand</b> that because of this iniquity, they will walk in the dark (on the order of [Exod. 23:8]: “for bribery blinds, etc.”), and all the foundations of the earth will totter because of it.</html>
<html><b>You are angelic creatures</b> Angels. When I gave you the Torah, I gave it to you on the condition that the Angel of Death should not rule over you.</html>
<html><b>Indeed, as man, you will die</b> Indeed, as Adam, you will die since you corrupted your deeds as he did. <b>and as one of the princes</b> the first [princes], who died, so will you fall. The Midrash Aggadah (Mid. Ps. 82:3) [explains]: As one of the celestial princes, for it is said (Isa. 24:21): “the Lord will visit punishment upon the host of heaven on high.”</html>
<html><b>Arise, O God</b> Asaph commences to pray that He rise and cut off from Israel those corrupt judges. <b>for You</b> are the One Who inherits the nations, and everyone is in Your hands to judge.</html>