Psalm 2:4
“He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.” Psalm 2:4 KJV
This verse marks the beginning of the second section of Psalm 2. In the first three verses we saw the world standing to oppose Christ and the setting up of God’s kingdom and rule. Now in verses 4-6 we see God the Father and his reaction to this opposition. How does He respond? In verse 5 He will, “speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure” but before He says or does anything, He takes some time to have a good laugh. He finds their attempts to defy Him amusing. He not only laughs at them but mocks them. That is the meaning of the words, “He will have them in derision.” He will mock them because they deserve it. The word translated here as “laugh” was used by the Philistines in Judges 16:25 when they said, “Call for Samson, that he may make us sport.” God’s foes are only making sport for Him.
Imagine Satan, demons, evil men, principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places together plotting with all their faculties and raging with all their might against the Lord. The thought of this can be intimidating to the weak, little Christian. These sorts are a great terror to God’s people down here. Our God is not intimidated or nervous in the least. He’s not wringing His hands, gathering His counselors (Isa. 40:13) or planning counter attacks. He sits in the heavens. He, “only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen nor can see.” (1Tim. 6:16) Satan and all his forces and all the powerful men of earth are but ants scurrying across the ground in His sight. All their malicious plans to overthrow God’s sovereignty amount to the throwing of rocks in the sky. They would sooner have success in raging against the wind or sun or scooping the ocean dry by hand.
God’s reaction in this verse is enough to strike joyful confidence and courage into the hearts of all His servants, and great fear into all His enemies. God has already declared the end from the beginning. From ancient times He’s declared things not yet done. His counsel shall stand and He will do all that He pleases (Isa. 46:10). He is working all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11). None can stay His hand or say, “What are You doing?” (Dan. 4:35). No one can resist His will (Rom. 9:19). He rules from the heavens and does whatever He wants to do (Ps. 115:3). Let God’s people rejoice! This God is our God! (Ps. 48:14). This God has, in mercy, bound Himself to us by unconditional covenant. He has made us His children and has placed us in the palm of his hand (John 10:29). In Him we are more than conquerors! (Rom. 8:37) Even when it feels like an ominous darkness is encroaching in upon us from every side we can say like the Psalmist, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Ps. 116:6). We can say, “whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Ps 27:1). It might do us some good to go out in the spirit of Elijah and do some holy mocking of our own at the Baals and Molechs of this world and their prophets and altars (1Kings 18:27).
Let the enemies of God tremble and fear! The Lord laughs at you; He sees that your day is coming. (Ps. 37:13). If you go on obstinately in your rebellion the Lord will mock when your fear comes and your destruction as a whirlwind (Prov. 1:26-27). You may scoff at Him and His people now but one day the tables will turn. Rebellious sinner, you are standing in slippery places! (Ps. 73:18). You would be wise to turn from your sins and live! “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way… blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.” (Ps. 2:12). It’s not too late to be reconciled to God through Christ Jesus our Lord!
Verses for further study: Psa. 29:10-11; 52:6; 59:8, Proverbs 19:21, Matt. 27:28-31, 39-44)