Psalms 2 · Verse 4

Psalms 2:4

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psalms 2:4, King James Version

Psalms 2:4 in other translations

BSBThe One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them.
WEBHe who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.
ASVHe that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision.
YLTHe who is sitting in the heavens doth laugh, The Lord doth mock at them.
DARBYHe that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision.
BBEThen he whose seat is in the heavens will be laughing: the Lord will make sport of them.
WebsterHe that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

What does Psalms 2:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. By a figure whose boldness is only allowable to an inspired writer, God's conduct and language in view of this opposition are now related. He that sitteth in the heavens--enthroned in quiet dignities (compare Psa 29:10; Is 40:22). shall laugh--in supreme contempt; their vain rage excites His derision. He is still the Lord, literally, "Sovereign," though they rebel.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 He that sitteth in the heavens - Whose kingdom ruleth over all, and is above all might and power, human and diabolical. Shall laugh. Words spoken after the manner of men; shall utterly contemn their puny efforts; shall beat down their pride, assuage their malice, and confound their devices.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 2:1-6

We are here told who would appear as adversaries to Christ. As this world is the kingdom of Satan, unconverted men, of every rank, party, and character, are stirred up by him to oppose the cause of God. But the rulers of the earth generally have been most active. The truths and precepts of Christianity are against ambitious projects and worldly lusts. We are told what they aim at in this opposition. They would break…

Read the full comment on Psalms 2:1-6 →

Psalms 2:4 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

יוֹשֵׁ֣בyo.Shev[the one who] sitsH3427
בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִםba.sha.Ma.yimin the heavensH8064
יִשְׂחָ֑קyis.Chakhe laughsH7832
אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י'a.do.Nai[the] LordH136
יִלְעַג\־yil.'ag-he mocksH3932
לָֽמוֹ\׃la.mo<to> them

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 2:4

  • Psalms 37:13

    The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

  • Psalms 59:8

    But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

  • Proverbs 1:26

    I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

  • Isaiah 40:22

    It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

  • Psalms 11:4

    The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

  • Isaiah 57:15

    For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

  • Psalms 115:3

    But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

  • Psalms 53:5

    There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.

  • Psalms 68:33

    To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.

  • Isaiah 66:1

    Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

  • 2 Kings 19:21

    This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
He that.
11:4; 68:33; 115:3; Isa 40:22; 57:15; 66:1
shall laugh.
37:13; 53:5; 59:8; 2Ki 19:21; Pr 1:26

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 2:3

    Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

  • Psalms 2:4

    He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

  • Psalms 2:5

    Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Read all of Psalms 2

Psalms 2:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
El que mora en los cielos se reirá; el Señor se burlará de ellos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Celui qui habite dans les cieux se rira d’eux, le Seigneur s’en moquera.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Der im Himmel thront, lacht, der Herr spottet ihrer.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Qui habitat in cælis irridebit eos, et Dominus subsannabit eos.