You asked

where are the ethical boundaries when machines make decisions about people?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Psalm 82:3-4

“Defend the poor and fatherless. Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Rescue the poor and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”

This psalm is a prophetic indictment against divine beings (sometimes understood as human rulers or judges) who fail to uphold justice on Earth. The psalmist, acting as God's voice, calls them to account for their neglect of the vulnerable.

What responsibilities does this passage place on those who hold power, and how might that shape our approach to decision-making systems?

Then — the setting

Psalm 82 is often dated to the post-exilic period (5th-4th century BCE) or earlier. It paints a picture of a 'divine council' (or perhaps earthly judges referred to as 'gods' due to their God-given authority to judge) being rebuked by God for their failure to administer justice. The setting is a divine court where the ultimate Judge, Yahweh, confronts those entrusted with upholding justice for their corruption or negligence. This passage reflects a core theme in Israelite law and prophecy: the protection of the marginalized and the accountability of those in power.

Across the Testaments

The Old Testament, throughout its Law (e.g., Deuteronomy), Prophets (e.g., Amos, Isaiah), and Wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs, Psalms), consistently emphasizes God's concern for the vulnerable—the 'poor, fatherless, widow, and foreigner.' This passage is a strong expression of that. In the New Testament, Jesus continues this theme, identifying himself with 'the least of these' (Matthew 25) and frequently challenging systems and individuals that neglect or harm the marginalized. The early Christian community, as depicted in Acts and the Epistles, also placed a high value on caring for the poor and ensuring fair treatment, seeing it as a direct expression of faith.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Deuteronomy 10:18
It shows God as one who executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner.
Proverbs 31:8-9
It instructs rulers to speak up for the voiceless and ensure justice for all who are needy.
Matthew 25:40
Jesus identifies himself with 'the least of these,' implying that how we treat the vulnerable reflects how we treat him.

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