Psalm 82: God judges in the assembly, and the identity of the elohim is open

Says “A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:” (82:1, BSB). The Hebrew עֲדַת־אֵל is assembly of El/God, not the BSB’s “divine assembly”. God rebukes unjust judging (82:2), commands justice for the weak (82:3–4), sentences those addressed to die like אָדָם and fall like one of the princes (82:7), and is asked to arise and judge the earth, for he will inherit among the nations (82:8). The BSB’s “like mortals” and “like rulers”, and “all the nations are Your inheritance”, are not the Hebrew clauses.

Implies The אֱלֹהִים of 82:1b and 82:6 are placed under God’s judgment and sentenced to die (82:7), so they are not his equals. “the Lord is God; there is no other besides Him” (Deut 4:35, BSB); “there is no God besides Me” (Deut 32:39, BSB); “there is no God but Me” (Isa 45:5, BSB).

Uncertain Who they are. No lean is taken. (1) Heavenly council beings, judged for misrule: the assembly in 82:1; Ps 89:5–7 (MT 89:6–8); 1 Kgs 22:19; Job 1:6; the death sentence in 82:7 if they are not mortal by nature; the nations in 82:8; Deut 32:8, “sons of God.” (2) Human judges, called gods as representatives: Exod 21:6; 22:8–9 (MT 22:7–8; BSB “the judges”); the courtroom charge of 82:2–4; 2 Chr 19:6–7. (3) Israel at Sinai, called gods as those to whom God’s word came, then sentenced to die, a minority reading citing John 10:35. Each view keeps the sentence of 82:7.