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Psalm 10:18
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

Deuteronomy 10:18
He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

Isaiah 1:17,23
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow…

do

Jeremiah 5:28
They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

Jeremiah 22:3,16
Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place…

James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
The instruction to uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed underscores the importance of justice and equity in the community. In the historical context of ancient Israel, the legal system was designed to protect the rights of all individuals, particularly those who were disadvantaged. The afflicted and oppressed often included the poor, foreigners, and those suffering under unjust systems or rulers. This phrase calls for active intervention to ensure that justice is served, reflecting God's own commitment to justice as seen inPsalm 146:7, where He "executes justice for the oppressed." The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus embodying the ultimate advocate for the oppressed, as seen in His ministry to the marginalized and His teachings on the Kingdom of God, which prioritize justice and mercy (Matthew 5:6,Luke 4:18-19). This call to action is a reminder of the believer's responsibility to reflect God's justice in their own lives and communities.

To “defend” is to step in, take sides, and protect. Scripture never treats this as optional; it is a mandate.Proverbs 31:8–9 says, “Open your mouth for those with no voice… defend the cause of the afflicted and needy.”Isaiah 1:17 echoes, “Learn to do right; seek justice; correct the oppressor.” The call is proactive—moving toward the vulnerable, not waiting for someone else to act.

A “cause” is the legal case, the story, the life-situation that needs advocacy. God cares about real courtrooms (Leviticus 19:15 mandates impartiality) and everyday conflicts (Micah 6:8 urges us to “act justly”). The verse reminds us that righteousness extends beyond personal piety to public responsibility: we champion the legitimate claims of those who cannot win on their own.

The “weak” covers every person whose strength—physical, social, economic—is insufficient. The “fatherless” highlights children without the basic shield of a parent.Exodus 22:22 warns, “You shall not mistreat any widow or orphan,” andPsalm 10:14 assures the orphan that God is “a helper.”James 1:27 sums it up: “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress.” God’s heart is unmistakably tilted toward those society sidelines.

“Uphold” pictures holding something steady so it is not toppled. Rights are God-given boundaries that preserve dignity.Deuteronomy 24:17 commands, “Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless,” whileProverbs 29:7 states, “The righteous care about justice for the poor.” Our task is to ensure that the God-established protections remain intact, even when cultural tides push against them.

Affliction covers suffering from illness, poverty, or calamity; oppression adds the element of human injustice.Psalm 9:9 promises, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,” andIsaiah 10:1-2 condemns those who “deprive the oppressed of justice.” When Jesus opened His ministry, He read, “He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18). He embodiedPsalm 82:3, and He calls His people to do the same—standing between the powerful and the powerless, so the latter are lifted, heard, and protected.

Psalm 82:3 is a divine summons to active, courageous justice. We step in (“defend”), engage real situations (“the cause”), focus on those without defenders (“weak and fatherless”), protect God-given boundaries (“uphold the rights”), and stand beside every sufferer (“afflicted and oppressed”). In doing so, we mirror the character of the God who rescued us—and we make His righteous kingdom visible in the here and now.