Bible Strands
Psalms 82:2
“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God speaks to the members of the divine assembly, confronting their judicial conduct immediately after presiding over their council. The words — מָתַ֥י (ma.Tai) = "when?" and עָ֑וֶל ('A.vel) = "injustice" anchor the direct charge regarding prolonged corrupt judgment. The thread — The prohibition against judicial partiality runs through Deuteronomy 1:17, Proverbs 18:5, and Psalm 58:1. Why it lands — The text demands impartial administration of justice by rulers and explicitly forbids favoring the wicked over the innocent.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 1:17 Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.”
- Proverbs 18:5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
- Psalms 58:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
- Exodus 10:3 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.
- Galatians 2:6 But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—those leaders added nothing to me.
- Exodus 23:6 You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.
- Leviticus 19:15 You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.
- 1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.
- 2 Chronicles 19:7 And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
- Job 34:19 who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.