Psalm 2:4 ASV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:4

He 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 Psalms 2:4-6 corresponds with the first Psalms 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 same order, for in each case the psalmist... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 2:4

Psalms 2:4. He that sitteth in the heavens As the judge upon his tribunal, weighing the actions of men, and as the king of the whole earth upon his royal throne; who, without moving from his place, can with one word or look destroy all his enemies. His sitting (or dwelling, as Dr. Waterland renders ושׁב , josheb, here) in the heavens is opposed to their being and reigning on the earth, (Psalms 2:2,) and is mentioned here, as in other places of Scripture, as an evidence both of God’s... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 2:1-12

Psalms 2:0 God’s rulerThere is no title to this psalm, though Acts 4:25 indicates that the writer was David. The psalm was probably written to celebrate some great national occasion such as the coronation of a king. It was a reminder to the king, the people and the enemy nations that the Israelite king was, in a sense, God’s son, the one through whom God exercised his rule (2 Samuel 7:11-16; cf. Exodus 4:22). Through him God would overpower all opposition and establish his rule on the earth.In... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 2:4

laugh. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . The LORD* . Primitive text was Jehovah. Altered by the Sopherim to Adonai. See App-32 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 2:4

"He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision. Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure."The alternate reading for "vex" in our version is "trouble." Has this come to pass? Indeed it has! In my lifetime, a mighty nation, the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, the U.S.S.R., in effect declared war upon God and his Anointed; but God has indeed spoken unto that nation in His wrath! read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 2:4

Psalms 2:4. He that sitteth, &c.— Or, He that dwelleth. This is spoken of God, (after the manner of men,) to denote his utter contempt of the opposition of his enemies; the perfect ease with which he was able to disappoint all their measures, and crush them for their impiety and folly; together with his absolute security that his counsels should stand, and his measures be finally accomplished; as men laugh at, and hold in utter contempt, those whose malice and power they know to be utterly... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:4

4. 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 Psalms 29:10; Isaiah 40:22). shall laugh—in supreme contempt; their vain rage excites His derision. He is still the Lord, literally, "Sovereign," though they rebel. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 2:1-12

Psalms 2In this "second psalm" (Acts 13:33), one of the most frequently quoted in the New Testament, David (Acts 4:25) exhorted the pagan nations surrounding Israel to forsake their efforts to oppose the Lord and His anointed king. He urged them to submit to the authority of the Son whom God has ordained to rule them (cf. 2 Samuel 10). The first and second psalms were always united as one in the rabbinical traditions. [Note: See Peter C. Craigie, Psalms 1-50, p. 59.] This is a royal psalm and,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 2:4

David envisioned God as ruler over all, sitting on His royal throne in heaven, not at all threatened or worried about the plan of the nations, but laughing at its futility. The figure of God sitting on His throne is a common personification that the psalmists used (cf. Psalms 9:11; Psalms 22:3; Psalms 29:10; Psalms 55:19; Psalms 102:12; Psalms 113:5; Isaiah 6:1; Ezekiel 1:26; Revelation 4:2; Revelation 5:1). This is the only place in Scripture where the writer described God as laughing. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 2:4-6

2. The Lord’s resolution 2:4-6 read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 2:4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 2:1-12

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 2:4

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 2:4

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 2:4

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 2:4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 2:1-12

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 2:4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 2:4-6

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