God judges unjust gods or rulers

God stands in council and puts unjust judgment on trial

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? The scene is a divine council, and the accused are called gods. Interpreters dispute whether the address names heavenly beings, human rulers, or both. The psalm does not exist to prove polytheism. The Most High is the judge of whatever powers stand there.

Every responsible reading still has to hear the charge: partiality toward the wicked. Status in the council is not permission to tilt the court.

The assignment is the poor, and mortality unseats the titled gods

Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. Injustice is not a side issue. When the weak are undefended, the world's foundations are off.

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. Being called gods does not grant immortality or a rival throne. They die. The last line asks the true Judge to rise for the whole earth. Later use of 82:6 in the Gospel of John is reception. This unit cannot be a proof-text for many gods, a spirituality that leaves the poor unnamed, or authoritarian power that claims heaven's title while taking bribes.