Psalms 82:3
Psalms 82:3 in Multiple Translations
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Judge the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.
Give ear to the cause of the poor and the children without fathers; let those who are troubled and in need have their rights.
Defend the poor and orphans; support the rights of those who are oppressed and suffering.
Doe right to the poore and fatherlesse: doe iustice to the poore and needie.
Judge ye the weak and fatherless, The afflicted and the poor declare righteous.
“Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
For lo, thy enemies have made a noise: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
You must defend people who are poor and orphans; you must act fairly toward those who are needy and those who have no one to help them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 82:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 82:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שִׁפְטוּ
דַ֥ל
וְ/יָת֑וֹם
עָנִ֖י
וָ/רָ֣שׁ
הַצְדִּֽיקוּ
שִׁפְטוּ
shâphaṭ
H8199
to judge
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
דַ֥ל
dal
H1800
poor
Adj
וְ/יָת֑וֹם
yâthôwm
H3490
orphan
Conj | N-ms
עָנִ֖י
ʻânîy
H6041
afflicted
Adj
וָ/רָ֣שׁ
rûwsh
H7326
be poor
Conj | V-Qal
הַצְדִּֽיקוּ
tsâdaq
H6663
to justify
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 82:3
שִׁפְטוּ
shâphaṭ
H8199
"to judge"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Definition: 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 9:5; Psalms 2:10.
דַ֥ל
dal
H1800
"poor"
Adj
The Hebrew word for someone who is poor or weak, often describing those in need of help or assistance. In the book of Proverbs, it warns against oppressing the poor, and in Psalm 35:10, it describes the needy and the poor. The word is also used in Isaiah 41:17.
Definition: low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: lean, needy, poor (man), weaker. See also: Exodus 23:3; Proverbs 19:17; Psalms 41:2.
וְ/יָת֑וֹם
yâthôwm
H3490
"orphan"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to an orphan or a child without a father, like in Exodus where God commands the Israelites to care for the fatherless.
Definition: an orphan, fatherless
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: fatherless (child), orphan. See also: Exodus 22:21; Psalms 10:18; Psalms 10:14.
עָנִ֖י
ʻânîy
H6041
"afflicted"
Adj
This word describes someone who is depressed, humble, or weak, often due to difficult circumstances, as described in the Psalms and other biblical books.
Definition: 1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched 1a) poor, needy 1b) poor and weak 1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched 1d) humble, lowly
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, poor. See also: Exodus 22:24; Psalms 88:16; Psalms 9:13.
וָ/רָ֣שׁ
rûwsh
H7326
"be poor"
Conj | V-Qal
To be poor or destitute, often used to describe someone who lacks material possessions or is in need, as seen in the story of the poor widow in Mark 12:42. This verb can also be used to describe someone who is spiritually poor or lacking.
Definition: 1) to be poor, be in want, lack 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be poor 1a2) to be in want or hunger 1a3) poor man (subst) 1b)(Hithpolel) one impoverishing himself (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: lack, needy, (make self) poor (man). See also: 1 Samuel 18:23; Proverbs 18:23; Psalms 34:11.
הַצְדִּֽיקוּ
tsâdaq
H6663
"to justify"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2mp
Refers to the act of making something right, either by justifying oneself or being declared righteous by God. It is used to describe God's justice and people's attempts to do what is right. This concept is key to understanding the Bible's teachings on sin and redemption.
Definition: 1) to be just, be righteous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to have a just cause, be in the right 1a2) to be justified 1a3) to be just (of God) 1a4) to be just, be righteous (in conduct and character) 1b) (Niphal) to be put or made right, be justified 1c) (Piel) justify, make to appear righteous, make someone righteous 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to do or bring justice (in administering law) 1d2) to declare righteous, justify 1d3) to justify, vindicate the cause of, save 1d4) to make righteous, turn to righteousness 1e) (Hithpael) to justify oneself
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just(-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be turn to) righteous(-ness). See also: Genesis 38:26; Job 33:32; Psalms 19:10.
Study Notes — Psalms 82:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 82:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 82:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 82:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 82:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 82:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 82:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 82:3
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 82:3
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 82:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 82:3
- Sermons on Psalms 82:3
Context — God Presides in the Divine Assembly
1God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:
2“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
4Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. 5They do not know or understand; they wander in the darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James 1:27 | Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. |
| 2 | Psalms 10:18 | to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 22:3 | This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 22:16 | He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 24:17 | Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. |
| 6 | Isaiah 1:17 | Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” |
| 7 | Jeremiah 5:28 | They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 10:18 | He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. |
| 9 | Isaiah 1:23 | Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them. |
Psalms 82:3 Summary
[This verse is calling us to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves, like children who don't have parents to care for them. We are to make sure they are treated fairly and have what they need, just like a good parent would. As it says in Proverbs 31:8-9, we are to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to judge fairly. By doing so, we are showing God's love and care for them, and fulfilling our responsibility as believers to love our neighbors as ourselves, as commanded in Mark 12:31.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to defend the cause of the weak and fatherless?
According to Psalms 82:3, defending the cause of the weak and fatherless means to stand up for those who are vulnerable and have no one to advocate for them, as seen in Isaiah 1:17, where we are called to learn to do good, seek justice, and correct oppression.
Who are the afflicted and oppressed in this verse?
The afflicted and oppressed in Psalms 82:3 refer to those who are suffering and being taken advantage of, similar to the widows and orphans mentioned in James 1:27, who are to be cared for and defended by believers.
How can we uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed in our daily lives?
Upholding the rights of the afflicted and oppressed involves treating them with fairness and justice, as commanded in Micah 6:8, where we are called to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
Is this verse only for those in positions of authority?
While Psalms 82:3 is addressed to those in positions of power, the principle of caring for the weak and vulnerable applies to all believers, as seen in Galatians 6:2, where we are called to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can defend the cause of the weak and fatherless in my community?
- How can I balance the need to uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed with the reality of my own limitations and weaknesses?
- What does it mean for me to 'uphold the rights' of those who are suffering, and how can I do this in a way that honors God?
- In what ways can I demonstrate the heart of God to those who are afflicted and oppressed, and how can I pray for them effectively?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 82:3
Defend the poor and fatherless,.... Or, judge (d) them; such as have no money to enter and carry on a suit, and have no friends to assist and advise them, and abide by them; these should be taken
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 82:3
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 82:3
Defend the poor and fatherless; so far as justly you may; as this clause must be limited, by comparing this with . Do justice to, Heb. justify, to wit, when his cause is just, and he is oppressed by a potent adversary.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 82:3
Psalms 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.Ver. 3. Defend the poor and fatherless] These are God’ s clients, and this is God’ s counsel, worthy to be written with letters of gold on the walls of all judicatories, as having in it better direction for a statesman than all Lipsius’ beehive or Machiavel’ s spider web. These two Latin verses are said to be written over the judgment seat in Xante, Hic locus odit, amat, punit, conservat, honorat, Nequitiam, pacem; crimina, iura, bonos.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 82:3
(3) Poor.—Rather, miserable. (See Psalms 41:1.) This verse recalls the solemn curse in Deuteronomy 27:19.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 82:3
Verse 3. Defend the poor] You are their natural protectors under God. They are oppressed: punish their oppressors, however rich or powerful: and deliver them.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 82:3
3. Judge the weak and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 82:3
Defend the poor and fatherless - literally, judge; that is, Pronounce just judgment; see that right is done to them. This is required everywhere in the Scriptures.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 82:3
3. Defend the poor—Hebrew, Judge the poor; administer to them righteously; give them a fair trial; send them not away unheard because they are poor, and have no gift or bribe to offer, the crying sin
Sermons on Psalms 82:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Testimony - Part 3 by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the overwhelming number of people in need in Hong Kong. They express a desire to understand and love the people in their community, but feel |
|
The Wise Man's Eyes by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding God's purpose and following His path. He references Solomon, who briefly understood God's work in the earth b |
|
God at Work in Every Womb (Sanctity of Human Life Sunday) by John Piper | In this sermon, John Piper emphasizes the importance of living a life dedicated to serving others and alleviating suffering. He urges Christians to prioritize helping the weak, fat |
|
No Longer a Slum Dog - New Book by K.P. Yohannan | This sermon by K.P. Yohannan, President of Gospel for Asia, focuses on the plight and suffering of children, particularly the Dalit community in India and neighboring nations. He s |
|
If My People - Part 1 by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of addressing controversial topics and recapturing the prophetic zeal in churches. It highlights the impact of the Johnson Amendment on church |
|
William Booth Recording (Audio Restored) by William Booth | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the various struggles and hardships faced by different groups of people in society. He mentions the unemployed, criminals, and women engaged |
|
|
Opening Your Eyes to Reality by K.P. Yohannan | This sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer, fasting, and living a life of godliness in response to the call of Christ to come, die, and live. It challenges listeners to priori |