5 The words “he says” are supplied in the translation to indicate that the following speech is God’s judicial decision (see v. 1).
6 Heb “and the face of the wicked lift up.”
7 The Hebrew noun יָתוֹם (yatom) refers to one who has lost his father (not necessarily his mother, see Ps 109:9). Because they were so vulnerable and were frequently exploited, fatherless children are often mentioned as epitomizing the oppressed (see Pss 10:14; 68:5; 94:6; 146:9; as well as Job 6:27; 22:9; 24:3, 9; 29:12; 31:17, 21).
8 Heb “hand.”
9 Having addressed the defendants, God now speaks to those who are observing the trial, referring to the gods in the third person.
10 Heb “walk.” The Hitpael stem indicates iterative action, picturing these ignorant “judges” as stumbling around in the darkness.
11 These gods, though responsible for justice, neglect their duty. Their self-imposed ignorance (which the psalmist compares to stumbling around in the dark) results in widespread injustice, which threatens the social order of the world (the meaning of the phrase all the foundations of the earth crumble).
12 Heb “said.”
13 Normally in the OT the title Most High belongs to the God of Israel, but in this context, where the mythological overtones are so strong, it probably refers to the Canaanite high god El (see v. 1, as well as Isa 14:13).
14 Heb “men.” The point in the context is mortality, however, not maleness. You will die like mortals. For the concept of a god losing immortality and dying, see Isa 14:12–15, which alludes to a pagan myth in which the petty god “Shining One, son of the Dawn,” is hurled into Sheol for his hubris.
15 Heb “like one of the rulers.” The comparison does not necessarily imply that they are not rulers. The expression “like one of” can sometimes mean “as one of” (Gen 49:16; Obad 11) or “as any other of” (Judg 16:7, 11).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“How long will you judge unjustly

and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;

maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

Rescue the weak and the needy;

deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

They have neither knowledge nor understanding,

they walk about in darkness;

all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I said, “You are gods,

sons of the Most High, all of you;

nevertheless, like men you shall die,

and fall like any prince.”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“How long will you defend the unjust

and show partiality to the wicked?

Defend the weak and the fatherless;

uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

Rescue the weak and the needy;

deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.

They walk about in darkness;

all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

“I said, ‘You are “gods”;

you are all sons of the Most High.’

But you will die like mere mortals;

you will fall like every other ruler.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“How long will you judge unjustly

and show partiality to the wicked?

Selah

Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless;

uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.

Rescue the poor and needy;

save them from the power of the wicked.”

They do not know or understand;

they wander in darkness.

All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I said, “You are gods;

you are all sons of the Most High.

However, you will die like humans

and fall like any other ruler.”

NLTNew Living Translation

“How long will you hand down unjust decisions

by favoring the wicked?

Interlude

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan;

uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.

Rescue the poor and helpless;

deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

But these oppressors know nothing;

they are so ignorant!

They wander about in darkness,

while the whole world is shaken to the core.

I say, ‘You are gods;

you are all children of the Most High.

But you will die like mere mortals

and fall like every other ruler.’ ”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“How long will you judge unjustly

and show favoritism to the wicked? Selah

Judge on behalf of the helpless and the orphan;

provide justice to the afflicted and the poor.

Rescue the helpless and the needy;

deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

They do not know or consider.

They go about in the darkness,

so that all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I have said, “You are gods,

and sons of the Most High, all of you.

However, you will die like men,

and you will fall like one of the princes.”

KJV 1900King James Version

How long will ye judge unjustly,

And accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

Defend the poor and fatherless:

Do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Deliver the poor and needy:

Rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

They know not, neither will they understand;

They walk on in darkness:

All the foundations of the earth are out of course.

I have said, Ye are gods;

And all of you are children of the most High.

But ye shall die like men,

And fall like one of the princes.

Public Domain