Tune: Picardy
(\'Let all mortal flesh keep silence\')
Psalm 82
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God stands in the congregation
Of judges of each nation
He judges, and gods they are called
In matters of justice schooled
God says, How long your judgement be
Unjust, wicked, favoured, see
Defend the poor and fatherless
So I shall come to you bless
Do justice to the afflicted
Needs of the poor be not hid
Deliver them from wicked\'s hands
Righteousness be in all lands
But judges know not, nor will they
Understand through night or day
They walk on in their darkness deep
Do not laws and judgements keep
All foundations of the earth are
Out of course, unstable far
The Lord has said that as gods you
Are, to bring justice anew
And you children of th most High
His presence unto you nigh
But you shall die like men, pass away
Fall like princes, comes your day
Arise, O God, judge the earth sure
You are Judge for evermore
Here man\'s temporary abode
We shall reap what we have sowed
But you, O God, shall inherit
All nations by your merit
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Note: Judges, magistrates, law officials, etc
were seen as \'gods\', although human.