Judgment Among the Gods
Psalms 81
God is pictured standing in the assembly of the mighty to judge them for judging unrighteously and favoring the wicked instead of defending the orphan, the poor, and the needy. Though called gods and children of the Most High, they are told they will die like ordinary men, and the psalm closes with a plea for God himself to rise and judge the whole earth.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonGOD standeth in the assembly of gods and in the midst He judgeth gods.
BrentonA Psalm for Asaph. God stands in the assembly of gods; and in the midst of them will judge gods.
GreekΨαλμὸς τῷ Ἀσάφ. Ὁ Θεὸς ἔστη ἐν συναγωγῇ θεῶν, ἐν μέσῳ δὲ θεοὺς διακρινεῖ.
KJV—
JPSA Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of God; in the midst of the judges He judgeth:
2
Thomson(J) How long will you judge unjustly; and respect the persons of sinners?
BrentonHow long will ye judge unrighteously, and accept the persons of sinners? Pause.
GreekἝως πότε κρίνετε ἀδικίαν, καὶ πρόσωπα ἁμαρτωλῶν λαμβάνετε; διάψαλμα.
KJVHow long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
JPS'How long will ye judge unjustly, and respect the persons of the wicked? Selah
3
ThomsonDo justice to the fatherless and the afflicted; Justify the lowly and the needy.
BrentonJudge the orphan and poor: do justice to the low and needy.
GreekΚρίνατε ὀρφανὸν καὶ πτωχὸν, ταπεινὸν καὶ πένητα δικαιώσατε.
KJVDefend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
JPSJudge the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute.
4
ThomsonRescue the needy and deliver the afflicted out of the sinner’s hand.
BrentonRescue the needy, and deliver the poor out of the hand of the sinner.
GreekΕξέλεσθε πένητα, καὶ πτωχὸν ἐκ χειρὸς ἁμαρτωλοῦ ῥύσασθε.
KJVDeliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
JPSRescue the poor and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.
5
ThomsonThey did not know; nor did they understand. They walked on in darkness. All the foundations of the land shall be shaken.
BrentonThey know not, nor understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth shall be shaken.
GreekΟὐκ ἔγνωσαν οὐδὲ συνῆκαν, ἐν σκότει διαπορεύονται· σαλευθήσονται πάντα τὰ θεμελια τῆς γῆς.
KJVThey know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
JPSThey know not, neither do they understand; they go about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are moved.
6
ThomsonI said you are gods; and all sons of the Most High:
BrentonI have said, Ye are gods; and all of you children of the Most High.
GreekἘγὼ εἶπα, θεοί ἐστε, καὶ υἱοὶ ὑψίστου πάντες.
KJVI have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
JPSI said: Ye are godlike beings, and all of you sons of the Most High.
7
Thomsonbut you shall die like men; and fall like one of the chiefs.
BrentonBut ye die as men, and fall as one of the princes.
GreekὙμεῖς δὲ ὡς ἄνθρωποι ἀποθνήσκετε, καὶ ὡς εἷς τῶν ἀρχόντων πίπτετε.
KJVBut ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
JPSNevertheless ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.'
8
Thomson(p) Arise, O God, judge the land Thyself: for Thou shalt inherit all the nations.
BrentonArise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
GreekἈνάστα ὁ Θεὸς, κρῖνον τὴν γῆν, ὅτι σὺ κατακληρονομήσεις ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσιν.
KJVArise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
JPSArise, O God, judge the earth; for Thou shalt possess all the nations.