Psalm 82 J.H.
Words: Sternhold and Hopkins, The Whole Book of Psalms Collected into English Metre
1 Among the princes, men of might,
the Lord himself doth stand,
To plead the cause of truth and right
with judges of the land.
2 How long, saith he, will ye proceed
false judgement to award?
Why have ye partially agreed
the wicked to regard?
3 Whereas of right ye should defend
the fatherless and weak;
And when the poor man doth contend,
in judgement justly speak.
4 If ye be wise, defend the cause
of poor men in their right,
And rid the needy from the claws
of tyrants' force and might.
5 They will not learn nor understand,
but still in darkness go:
All the foundations of the laud
are out of course also.
6 I had decreed assuredly
as gods to take you all;
Children also of the Most High,
for love I did you call:
7 But notwithstanding ye shall die
as men, and so decay;
O tyrants, you destroy will I,
and pluck you quite away.
8 Up, Lord, and let thy strength be known,
and judge the world with might:
For why? all nations are thy own,
to take them as thy right.
