Psalms 82:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Judges must rescue the poor and vulnerable from the hands of the wicked.
The Context of Psalms 82:4
Reinforcing the duty to protect the exploited
What Does Psalms 82:4 Mean?
Verse 4 intensifies verse 3's command with the word 'deliver,' suggesting urgent rescue. The 'poor and needy' face active threat from 'the wicked.' This verse pictures injustice not as neglect but as active oppression—the powerful harming the helpless.
A just judge does not stand neutral when the wicked prey on the vulnerable. Deliverance requires breaking the wicked's grip. The parallel phrasing of verses 3 and 4 underscores that this is not optional but a fundamental obligation of righteous rule.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 82:4
What does Psalms 82:4 mean?
Judges must rescue the poor and vulnerable from the hands of the wicked.
What is the context of Psalms 82:4?
Reinforcing the duty to protect the exploited