New English Translation
Psalms 2:4
4The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust; the Lord taunts 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
2The kings of the earth form a united front; the rulers collaborate against the Lord and his anointed king. 3They say, “Let’s tear off the shackles they’ve put on us! Let’s free ourselves from their ropes!” The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust; the Lord taunts them. 5Then he angrily speaks to them and terrifies them in his rage, saying, 6“I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill.”
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 watch; his eyes examine all people.
- Psalms 68:33to the one who rides through the sky from ancient times! Look! He thunders loudly.
- Psalms 115:3Our God is in heaven! He does whatever he pleases!
- Isaiah 40:22He is the one who sits on the earth’s horizon; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers before him. He is the one who stretches out the sky like a thin curtain, and spreads it out like a pitched tent.
- Isaiah 57:15For this is what the high and exalted one says, the one who rules forever, whose name is holy: “I dwell in an exalted and holy place, but also with the discouraged and humiliated, in order to cheer up the humiliated and to encourage the discouraged.
- Isaiah 66:1This is what the Lord says: “The heavens are my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where then is the house you will build for me? Where is the place where I will rest?
- Psalms 37:13The Lord laughs in disgust at them, for he knows that their day is coming.
- Psalms 53:5They are absolutely terrified, even by things that do not normally cause fear. For God annihilates those who attack you. You are able to humiliate them because God has rejected them.
- Psalms 59:8But you, O Lord, laugh in disgust at them; you taunt all the nations.
- 2 Kings 19:21This is what the Lord says about him: “The virgin daughter Zion despises you, she makes fun of you; Daughter Jerusalem shakes her head after you.
- Proverbs 1:26so I myself will laugh when disaster strikes you, I will mock when what you dread comes,
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
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