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Psalm 82:6
I said, “You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.
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.
6I said, “You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.
7Nevertheless you shall die like men, and fall like one of the rulers.”
8Arise, God, judge the earth, for you inherit all of the nations.
Notice
The title “sons of the Most High” sounds exalted, yet the next line announces death, leaving every claim to rank beneath God’s judgment.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What changes in your reading of “You are gods” when you include the warning that follows?
Write on thisWhere might the title “Most High” challenge the weight you give to human rank or authority?
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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
John 10:34–36Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’?Jesus quotes the words about being gods from Psalm 82 when answering those who challenge him.
Psalm 82:1A Psalm by Asaph. God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods.The opening names God as judge among the gods, establishing the setting for his address to them in verse 6.
Exodus 7:1The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I have made you as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.Both passages apply divine language to someone God addresses; Exodus specifies Moses’ role before Pharaoh.
Exodus 12:12For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. I will execute judgments …Both passages speak of gods subject to God’s judgment, with Exodus naming the gods of Egypt.
Psalm 67:4Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Selah.Psalm 82 places the gods under God’s judgment; Psalm 67 praises his just rule over the nations.
Psalm 138:1By David. I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.Both passages use the word “gods”; Psalm 82 addresses them, while Psalm 138 speaks of praising God before them.
Exodus 4:16He will be your spokesman to the people. It will happen that he will be to you a mouth, and you will be to him as God.Both passages apply divine language to those God addresses; Exodus describes Moses’ role in relation to his spokesman.
Deuteronomy 32:8When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the children of men, he set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of …Both passages name the “Most High”: Psalm 82 speaks of his sons, while Deuteronomy describes his ordering of the nations.
Zechariah 12:8In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who is feeble among them at that day will be like David, and David’s house will be like God, …Both passages use divine language for others besides God; Zechariah describes David’s house as being like God.
John 10:33The Jews answered him, “We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”Psalm 82 uses divine language for those God addresses; John records an accusation against Jesus for making himself God.
Psalm 92:1A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, Most High,Both passages name God as “Most High,” a title present in Psalm 82’s address and Psalm 92’s praise.
Where this verse fits
Sermon or Bible study notes. leadership weight. injustice and anger.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Readers differ over who these “gods” are: human rulers or heavenly beings. The sentence that follows is clear: their rank cannot shield them from God’s judgment.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 82:6. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
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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).