God’s Word Translation
Psalms 2:4
4The one enthroned in heaven laughs. The Lord makes fun of them.
Psalms 2:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
- New International Version (NIV)The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
- English Standard Version (ESV)He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Context of Psalms 2:4
2Kings take their stands. Rulers make plans together against the Lord and against his Messiah by saying, 3“Let’s break apart their chains and shake off their ropes.” The one enthroned in heaven laughs. The Lord makes fun of them. 5Then he speaks to them in his anger. In his burning anger he terrifies them by saying, 6“I have installed my own king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
Read all of Psalms 2Psalms 2:4 word by word
יוֹשֵׁ֣ב בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם יִשְׂחָ֑ק אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י יִלְעַג־לָֽמוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 2:4
- Psalms 11:4The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes see. They examine Adam’s descendants.
- Psalms 68:33God rides through the ancient heaven, the highest heaven. Listen! He makes his voice heard, his powerful voice.
- Psalms 115:3Our God is in heaven. He does whatever he wants.
- Isaiah 40:22God is enthroned above the earth, and those who live on it are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the sky like a canopy and spreads it out like a tent to live in.
- Isaiah 57:15The High and Lofty One lives forever, and his name is holy. This is what he says: I live in a high and holy place. But I am with those who are crushed and humble. I will renew the spirit of those who are humble and the courage of those who are crushed.
- Isaiah 66:1This is what the Lord says: Heaven is my throne. The earth is my footstool. Where can you build a house or resting place for me?
- Psalms 37:13The Lord laughs at him because he has seen that his time is coming.
- Psalms 53:5There they are—panic-stricken— ⌞but⌟ there was no reason to panic, because God has scattered the bones of those who set up camp against you. You put them to shame. After all, God has rejected them.
- Psalms 59:8O Lord, you laugh at them. You make fun of all the nations.
- 2 Kings 19:21This is the message that the Lord speaks to him, ‘My dear people in Zion despise you and laugh at you. My people in Jerusalem shake their heads behind your back.
- Proverbs 1:26I will laugh at your calamity. I will make fun of you when panic strikes you,
Commentaries on Psalms 2:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4He 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.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4He that sitteth in the heavens - God, represented as having his home, his seat, his throne in heaven, and thence administering the affairs of the world. This verse commences the second strophe or stanza of the psalm; and this strophe Psalm 2:4-6 corresponds with the first Psalm 2:1-3 in its structure. The former describes the feelings and purposes of those who would cast off the government of God; this describes the feelings and purposes of God in the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4enthroned in heaven: The Lord's position in the universe is so secure that he laughs at humans who claim they can oppose his power and authority (see Psalms 3 7:13; 59:8).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. 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.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 2:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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