He who sits in the heavens laughs, the LORD scoffs at them. (Psalm 2:4)

The NIV renders this verse, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs….” The Lord is pictured as one who rules (see NLT), as echoed in what is called the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father, who is in heaven ….” This psalm speaks of earthly kings rising up against God, a laughable thought if it weren’t so tragic. Words come to mind: foolish, absurd. One wants to say to those kings, “What in the world were you thinking?!”

The context of Psalm 2 has to do with surrounding nations that have come up against the kingdom of Israel. While Messianic in nature, this psalm also reflects on the anointed king of Israel:

But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain. (Ps 2:6)

I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” (Ps 2:7)

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed… (Ps 2:2)

God’s biting sarcasm reflects His incredulity at their foolish audacity:

He who sits in the heavens laughs, the LORD scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury …. (Ps 2:4–5)

It is like God says, “I can’t believe what I am seeing. You actually think you can stand up against Me!” This is the One who is seated in heaven, enthroned and ruling over all creation, the One who created these very kings that are rising up against Him. He who spoke all things into existence by simply speaking forth His word, “Let there be …,” could snuff out these puny kings, small men among the millions and billions of human image bearers He placed on earth. They are smaller than even ants compared to an elephant.

The entire psalm is given for us, not because we all rise up audaciously against God and against His anointed the way those kings did but because we are like them when we knowingly sin, for then we reject God’s sovereign rule over our lives. We “forget” that He is seated in heaven, enthroned. And from that vantage point, He not only sees what we do, but has authority over what we do. We ought not make Him laugh with incredulity at the our willful sinning.

Lord, I must admit that I sometimes spurn Your authority over me when I knowingly sin. Thank You for the grace that is greater than all my sin.