Psalms 82:3
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Defend {H8199}{H8798)} the poor {H1800} and fatherless {H3490}: do justice {H6663}{H8685)} to the afflicted {H6041} and needy {H7326}{H8802)}.
Give justice to the weak and fatherless! Uphold the rights of the wretched and poor!
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
Judge the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.
Cross-References
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Psalms 10:18 (8 votes)
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress. -
Jeremiah 5:28 (6 votes)
They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. -
Jeremiah 22:3 (6 votes)
Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place. -
James 1:27 (6 votes)
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world. -
Jeremiah 22:16 (6 votes)
He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then [it was] well [with him: was] not this to know me? saith the LORD. -
Deuteronomy 24:17 (5 votes)
Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, [nor] of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge: -
Isaiah 1:17 (4 votes)
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Commentary
Context of Psalms 82:3
Psalm 82 is a powerful prophetic declaration, often attributed to Asaph, where God presides over a divine assembly, judging earthly rulers and powerful figures (referred to as "gods" or elohim in verse 1) for their failure to administer justice. This verse, Psalms 82:3 KJV, is a direct command from the Almighty to these authorities, outlining their fundamental responsibility to the vulnerable within society. It underscores God's deep concern for righteousness and equity, particularly for those who cannot defend themselves, reflecting a consistent theme throughout the Old Testament legal and prophetic literature.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew terms used in this verse emphasize the profound vulnerability of the groups mentioned:
Together, these terms paint a picture of society's most vulnerable members, for whom God demands active and righteous protection.
Practical Application
The message of Psalms 82:3 remains profoundly relevant today. It challenges:
Ultimately, this verse calls for a reflection of God's own righteous character in human society, demanding that justice flow like a river for all.
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.