New Living Translation
Psalms 2:4
4But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at 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 prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. 3“Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. 5Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. 6For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on 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 11:4But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.
- Psalms 68:33Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens, his mighty voice thundering from the sky.
- Psalms 115:3Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.
- Isaiah 40:22God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them.
- Isaiah 57:15The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
- Isaiah 66:1This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place?
- Psalms 37:13But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.
- Psalms 53:5Terror will grip them, terror like they have never known before. God will scatter the bones of your enemies. You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
- Psalms 59:8But Lord, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations.
- 2 Kings 19:21And the Lord has spoken this word against him: “The virgin daughter of Zion despises you and laughs at you. The daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head in derision as you flee.
- Proverbs 1:26So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes 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
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