“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.”
The obligation is stated: "Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute." The proper function of judges is protection and advocacy for the vulnerable. The enumeration of weak, orphan, lowly, and destitute emphasizes the special concern of justice for those without power.
Church Fathers on Psalms 82:3
1. This Psalm, like others similarly named, was so entitled either from the name of the man who wrote it, or from the explanation of that same name, so as to refer in meaning to the Synagogue, which Asaph signifies; especially as this is intimated in the first verse. For it begins, “God stood in the synagogue of gods” Psalm 81:1. Far however be it from us to understand by these Gods the gods of the Gentiles, or idols, or any creature in heaven or earth except men; for a…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!