Ps 82 opens abruptly, without an introduction, with an immediate focus on God (Yahweh) having taken his stand in the midst of a council, or assembly, of divine beings while he pronounces judgment (v 1). He is clearly in charge, presiding over the meeting. “God” is not further identified, but he is surely Yahweh, the “Great God” who is designated as the “Great King over all the gods” . . . The “gods” . . . are the divine beings who function as his counselors and agents. cf. v 6; Pss 8:6; 29:1 (“sons of gods”); 89:6–7; Exod 15:11; Job 1:6; 2:1; Gen 6:2. The scene is pictured as that of a divine assembly in which the great king pronounces sentence on some of the gods who have failed in their duties. . . .

Yahweh expects judges and leaders to protect the marginalized people in society: the poor, the oppressed, and those without family support. Thus Job in his days of power and wealth testified that he went into the gate (where legal cases were tried) and “delivered the poor who cried, / and the orphan who had no helper. / The blessing of the poor came upon me, / and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy” (Job 29:12–13, NRSV). Further he declared: “I was eyes to the blind, / and feet to the lame. / I was a father to the needy, / and championed the cause of the stranger. / I broke the fangs of the unrighteous / and made them drop their prey from their teeth” (Job 29:15–17, NRSV).

MARVIN TATE, PSALMS 51-100, VOLUME 20 (WORD BIBLICAL COMMENTARY), 334, 336.