Psalms 2:4 - Exposition

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh . God "laughs" at the vain and futile efforts of man to escape from the control of his laws and throw off his dominion (comp. Psalms 37:13 ; Psalms 59:8 ). It is impossible that these efforts should succeed. Men must obey God willingly, or else unwillingly. The Lord (Adonay in the ordinary Hebrew text, but a large number of manuscripts have Jehovah) shall have them in derision. "Laughter" and "derision" are, of course, anthropo-morphisms. It is meant that God views with contempt and scorn man's weak attempts at rebellion.