New International VersionBut you laugh at them, LORD; you scoff at all those nations.
New Living TranslationBut LORD, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations.
English Standard VersionBut you, O LORD, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.
Berean Standard BibleBut You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.
King James BibleBut thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
New King James VersionBut You, O LORD, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision.
New American Standard BibleBut You, LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.
NASB 1995But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.
NASB 1977But Thou, O LORD, dost laugh at them; Thou dost scoff at all the nations.
Legacy Standard BibleBut You, O Yahweh, laugh at them; You mock all the nations.
Amplified BibleBut You, O LORD, will laugh at them [in scorn]; You scoff at and deride all the nations.
Christian Standard BibleBut you laugh at them, LORD; you ridicule all the nations.
Holman Christian Standard BibleBut You laugh at them, LORD; You ridicule all the nations.
American Standard VersionBut thou, O Jehovah, wilt laugh at them; Thou wilt have all the nations in derision.
Contemporary English VersionYou, LORD, laugh at them and sneer at the nations.
English Revised VersionBut thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationO LORD, you laugh at them. You make fun of all the nations.
Good News TranslationBut you laugh at them, LORD; you mock all the heathen.
International Standard VersionBut you, LORD, will laugh at them; you will mock all the nations.
NET BibleBut you, O LORD, laugh in disgust at them; you taunt all the nations.
New Heart English BibleBut you, LORD, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations.
Webster's Bible TranslationBut thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.
World English BibleBut you, Yahweh, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd You, O YHWH, laugh at them, "" You mock at all the nations.
Young's Literal Translation And Thou, O Jehovah dost laugh at them, Thou dost mock at all the nations.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd thou, O Jehovah, wilt laugh at them; thou wilt deride at all the nations. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them: thou shalt bring all the nations to nothing.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd you, O Lord, will laugh at them. You will lead all the Gentiles to nothing.
New American Bible
But you, LORD, laugh at them; you deride all the nations.
New Revised Standard Version
But you laugh at them, O LORD; you hold all the nations in derision.Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the nations in derision.
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you, LORD JEHOVAH, laugh at them, and mock at all the nations.OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
But Thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; Thou shalt have all the nations in derision.
Brenton Septuagint Translation
But thou, Lord, wilt laugh them to scorn; thou wilt utterly set at nought all the heathen.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Deliver Me From My Enemies… 7See what they spew from their mouths—sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?” 8But You,O LORD,laughat them;You scoffat allthe nations.9I will keep watch for You, O my strength, because You, O God, are my fortress.…
Cross References Psalm 2:4The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them.
Proverbs 1:26in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you,
Isaiah 37:22-23this is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you. / Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!
Isaiah 40:23He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless.
Job 22:19The righteous see it and are glad; the innocent mock them:
Psalm 37:13but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.
Psalm 2:1-4Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” ...
Isaiah 44:25who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,
Psalm 52:6The righteous will see and fear; they will mock the evildoer, saying,
Psalm 73:20Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
Psalm 22:7All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads:
Matthew 27:39-43And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads / and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” / In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ...
Luke 23:35The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”
Acts 4:25-26You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’
1 Corinthians 1:18-20For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
Treasury of Scripture But you, O LORD, shall laugh at them; you shall have all the heathen in derision. Thou Psalm 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Psalm 37:13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. 1 Samuel 19:15,16 And Saul sent the messengersagain to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him… heathen Psalm 59:5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah. Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tellit unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Jump to Previous DerisionHeathenHoldLaughMockNationsScoffSportWiltJump to Next DerisionHeathenHoldLaughMockNationsScoffSportWiltPsalm 59 1.David prays to be delivered from his enemies6.He complains of their cruelty8.He trusts in god11.He prays against them16.He praises GodBut You, O LORD, laugh at them;This phrase highlights the sovereignty and omnipotence of God. The image of God laughing is a powerful anthropomorphism, illustrating His supreme authority over human affairs. In biblical context, this laughter is not one of amusement but of derision, indicating the futility of human rebellion against divine will. This concept is echoed in Psalm 2:4, where God laughs at the nations conspiring against Him. Historically, this reflects the confidence of the Israelites in God's protection against their enemies. Theologically, it underscores the belief that God is not threatened by human schemes, and His plans will ultimately prevail. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who, despite opposition, fulfilled God's redemptive plan. You scoff at all the nations.
The term "scoff" further emphasizes God's disdain for the arrogance of the nations. In the ancient Near Eastern context, nations often boasted of their power and military might, yet this phrase reminds believers that all earthly power is insignificant compared to God's. This is consistent with the biblical theme of God's dominion over all creation, as seen inIsaiah 40:15, where nations are described as a drop in a bucket. Theologically, this serves as a reminder of God's ultimate judgment and the futility of opposing His will. It also points to the eschatological hope found in Revelation, where God's final victory over the nations is assured. This phrase reassures believers of God's control over world events and His ability to protect and deliver His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 59, who wrote this psalm as a plea for deliverance from his enemies, specifically when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The central figure in this verse, depicted as sovereign and powerful, laughing at the futile plans of the nations against His anointed. 3. The NationsRepresents the enemies of David and, by extension, the enemies of God’s people. They are seen as opposing God’s will and purposes. 4. SaulThe King of Israel at the time, who was pursuing David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne. 5. The WatchersThe men sent by Saul to keep an eye on David and to kill him, representing the immediate threat to David’s life. Teaching Points God’s Sovereignty Over NationsGod is not threatened by the plans of nations or individuals. His purposes will prevail despite human opposition. Divine Justice and MockeryGod’s laughter signifies His ultimate control and the certainty of His justice. It is a reminder that evil will not triumph. Trust in God’s ProtectionLike David, believers can trust in God’s protection and deliverance from their enemies, knowing that God sees and acts. The Futility of Opposing GodHuman efforts against God’s will are ultimately futile. Aligning with God’s purposes is the path to true wisdom and success. Encouragement in Times of PersecutionWhen facing persecution or opposition, believers can find comfort in knowing that God is aware and will act in His perfect timing. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 59
Psalm 59:8 depicts God laughing at nations; how should this be understood scientifically or historically, rather than as a purely poetic metaphor?
Why does the psalm present worship at the temple ('enter his gates,' Psalm 100:4) as essential, when other parts of the Bible emphasize worship outside Jerusalem's temple?
Proverbs 15:29: If God is omnipresent, how can He be 'far' from anyone, specifically the wicked?
How can Psalm 34:8 state 'taste and see that the Lord is good' when there is no empirical way to measure spiritual experiences?(8) Laugh.--Comp. Psalm 2:4, Note. Probably the same contrast is intended in these clauses as in Psalm 59:5. Verse 8. - But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them (comp. Psalm 2:4). Thou shalt have all the heathen in derision (see the comment on ver. 5, and particularly the explanation there given of "all the heathen").
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew But You,וְאַתָּ֣ה(wə·’at·tāh)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859:Thou and thee, ye and youO LORD,יְ֭הוָה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israellaughתִּשְׂחַק־(tiś·ḥaq-)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7832:To laugh, to playat them;לָ֑מוֹ(lā·mōw)Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's HebrewYou scoffתִּ֝לְעַ֗ג(til·‘aḡ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3932:To deride, to speak unintelligiblyat allלְכָל־(lə·ḵāl)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe nations.גּוֹיִֽם׃(gō·w·yim)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471:A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts
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OT Poetry: Psalm 59:8 But you Yahweh laugh at them (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
