When God laughs
(Charles Spurgeon, “The Treasury of David“)
“The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them!” Psalm 2:4
Note God’s derision of the rebellious! What will the King do unto those who reject Him? Mark the quiet dignity of the Omnipotent One, and the contempt which He pours upon His raging enemies. He has not taken the trouble to rise up and do battle with them—He despises them, He knows how absurd, how irrational, how futile are their attempts against Him. He therefore laughs at them! (Charles Spurgeon)
“The One enthroned in heaven . . .” Hereby it is clearly intimated,
(1) that the Lord is far above all their malice and power;
(2) that He sees all their plots, looking down on all;
(3) that He is of omnipotent power, and so can do with His enemies just as He desires. “Our God is in the heavens! He has done whatever He has pleased.” (Arthur Jackson)
Sinners’ follies are the righteous sport of God’s infinite wisdom and power. Those attempts of the kingdom of Satan, which in our eyes are formidable, in God’s eyes are despicable. (Matthew Henry)
“The One enthroned in heaven laughs”. They scoff at us—but God laughs at them! Laugh? This seems like a harsh word at first view. But are the derision, the persecution and the injuries of his saints; and the cruelties of their enemies—a matter of laughter? God laughs—but it is in scorn; He scorns—but it is with vengeance. Short is the joy of the wicked! Oh, what are God’s frowns—if His smiles are so terrible! (Thomas Adams)
The expression, “The One enthroned in heaven”, at once fixes our thoughts on a being infinitely exalted above impotent man. And when it is said, “HE laughs,” this is designed to convey to our minds the idea, that the greatest confederacies among kings and peoples, and their most extensive and vigorous preparations to defeat HIS purposes—are in HIS sight altogether insignificant and worthless! HE looks upon their poor and puny efforts, not only without uneasiness or fear—but HE laughs at their folly! HE treats their impotency with derision. He knows how HE can crush them like a moth when HE pleases—or consume them in a moment with the breath of HIS mouth! How profitable it is for us to be reminded of truths such as these! Ah! it is indeed a vain thing for the potsherds of the earth to strive with the glorious Majesty of Heaven!
(David Pitcairn)
