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Psalm 82:3

“Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

1A Psalm by Asaph. God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods.
2“How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?” Selah.
3“Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
4Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”
5They don’t know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
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Notice

“Maintain the rights” names justice as something owed to the poor and oppressed, within a scene where God confronts corrupt judgment.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

Where do you have enough influence to help maintain the rights of someone with less power?

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What might defending the fatherless involve in your community beyond meeting an immediate need?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

11 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the …Both passages name the fatherless as people who must receive concrete care: defense in the psalm and visits in James.
Psalm 10:18to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.Both psalms name the fatherless and oppressed as people whose cause requires justice.
Jeremiah 22:3The LORD says: “Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver him who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong. Do no violence to the …Both passages command justice for people exposed to oppression and name the fatherless among those who need protection.
Isaiah 1:17Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow.”Both passages command defense of the fatherless and action on behalf of the oppressed.
Jeremiah 5:28They have grown fat. They shine; yes, they excel in deeds of wickedness. They don’t plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and …Jeremiah condemns the failure to defend the fatherless and needy, the very duty Psalm 82 commands.
Deuteronomy 10:18He executes justice for the fatherless and widow and loves the foreigner in giving him food and clothing.Psalm 82 commands defense of the fatherless; Deuteronomy describes God himself executing justice for them.
Jeremiah 22:16He judged the cause of the poor and needy; so then it was well. Wasn’t this to know me?” says the LORD.Both passages affirm judging the cause of the poor, with Jeremiah describing that justice as knowing the LORD.
Deuteronomy 24:17You shall not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, nor take a widow’s clothing in pledge;Both passages require justice for the fatherless, forbidding the denial of what they are owed.
Isaiah 1:23Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards. They don’t defend the fatherless, neither does the …Isaiah condemns princes who fail to defend the fatherless, while Psalm 82 commands that defense.
Jeremiah 49:11Leave your fatherless children. I will preserve them alive. Let your widows trust in me.”Both passages express God's concern for the fatherless: the psalm commands their defense, and Jeremiah records his promise to preserve them.
Job 6:27Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.The fatherless appear in both passages: Psalm 82 commands their defense, while Job names their exploitation.
Where this verse fits

Injustice and anger. leadership weight.

What the Bible says about anger →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

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Encouragement

The poor and oppressed have rights God commands others to uphold. Their lack of power does not lessen the claim of his command.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 82:3. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 82 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).