Psalms 82:4

4 Your job is to stand up for the powerless, and prosecute all those who exploit them."

Psalms 82:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 82:4

Deliver the poor and needy
From his adversary and oppressor, who is mightier than he, and draws him to the judgment seat; when it is not in his power to defend himself against him, and get out of his hands, unless a righteous judge will show a regard to him and his cause; and sometimes even an unjust judge, through importunity, will do this, as everyone ought, and every righteous one will:

rid them out of the hand of the wicked;
this was what the poor widow importuned the unjust judge for, and obtained, ( Luke 18:3-5 ) .

Psalms 82:4 In-Context

2 "Enough! You've corrupted justice long enough, you've let the wicked get away with murder.
3 You're here to defend the defenseless, to make sure that underdogs get a fair break;
4 Your job is to stand up for the powerless, and prosecute all those who exploit them."
5 Ignorant judges! Head-in-the-sand judges! They haven't a clue to what's going on. And now everything's falling apart, the world's coming unglued.
6 "I commissioned you judges, each one of you, deputies of the High God,
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.