What does Psalm 82:2 mean?

The prior verse set up a scene where God stood in the middle of a group of powerful men to render His verdict on them (Psalm 82:1). As the judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25), the Lord has authority to speak about those who claim authority on earth. Apparently, Israel's judges were accepting bribes and rendering false verdicts. Those who could afford to bribe the judges received favorable decisions, while the poor received hurtful decisions.

Such corruption runs counter to God's intent for human government and rulers (Proverbs 31:9; Romans 13:4). Later verses (Psalm 82:5) will point out that when those appointed to defend justice are themselves wicked, it undoes the entire basis of civilization (Psalm 11:3).

Micah 6:8 states that God's will for His people, including Israel's judges, is primarily "to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with" Him. Leviticus 19:15 expressly told Israel's judges: "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor." Israel's corrupt judges acted like Eli's sons, whose greed earned them the description of "worthless men" (1 Samuel 2:12–17).

The word selah probably indicates a breath or a pause for reflection. The exact meaning of the term is unknown.