Psalm 82 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 82
God calls unjust judges to account
Verse 82:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[82:1] A psalm of Asaph.
God stands in the assembly of God;
amid the gods He judges.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[81:1] A psalm for Asaph.
God stood in an assembly of gods,
and in their midst He judges gods:
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew names an assembly of singular El, Greek an assembly of plural gods. The subsequent gods are judged in both. Rabbinic: Rashi on 82:1 understands the scene as God examining judges' administration of justice (RASHI-PS82). That interpretation does not erase the source term elohim.
Verse 82:2 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[82:2] “How long will you judge unjustly
and favor the wicked?
Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[81:2] “How long do you judge injustice
and favor sinners?
Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both rebuke unjust judgment and partiality, retaining their respective performance marker.
Verse 82:3 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[82:3] Judge for the poor and the fatherless;
vindicate the afflicted and the destitute.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[81:3] Judge for the fatherless and the poor;
vindicate the lowly and the needy.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both demand justice for vulnerable people, with the first pair reversed and corresponding poverty vocabulary.
Verse 82:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[82:4] Deliver the poor and the needy;
rescue them from the hand of the wicked.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[81:4] Deliver the needy and the poor;
rescue them from the hand of a sinner.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The protective commands correspond; Hebrew has plural wicked people, Greek a singular sinner.
Verse 82:5 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[82:5] They do not know and do not understand;
they walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth totter.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[81:5] They did not know or understand;
they pass through darkness;
all the foundations of the earth will be shaken.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Ignorance, darkened conduct, and the earth's shaken foundations correspond; Greek marks future shaking explicitly. Rabbinic: Rashi on 82:5 applies the ignorance to judges who pervert justice and links that injustice with the tottering foundations (RASHI-PS82).
Verse 82:6 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[82:6] “I said, ‘You are gods,
and all of you sons of the Most High.’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[81:6] “I said, ‘You are gods,
and all sons of the Most High.’
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The declaration of gods and sons of the Most High corresponds. Rabbinic: Rashi on 82:6 connects the language with the Torah's gift and freedom from the angel of death (RASHI-PS82). Saints: John 10:34–36 explicitly quotes the gods declaration in Jesus' answer concerning His calling Himself God's Son; this is direct scriptural reuse, not a replacement of the psalm's audience (SBL-JOHN-PS).
Verse 82:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[82:7] Yet like Adam you will die,
and like one of the princes you will fall.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[81:7] But you die like human beings,
and fall like one of the rulers.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew adam is rendered as Adam with Rashi on 82:7, who compares their corrupted conduct with his; “a human being” remains possible. Greek explicitly has plural human beings (RASHI-PS82). Both announce the privileged figures' mortality.
Verse 82:8 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[82:8] Arise, God, judge the earth,
for You will inherit among all the nations.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[81:8] Rise, God, judge the earth,
for You will take inheritance among all the nations.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The final petition calls for God's worldwide judgment and inheritance, retaining “among” rather than silently removing the preposition.