Psalms 59:8

8 But you laugh at them, LORD; you scoff at all those nations.

Psalms 59:8 in Other Translations

KJV
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
ESV
8 But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.
NLT
8 But LORD, you laugh at them. You scoff at all the hostile nations.
MSG
8 But you, God, break out laughing; you treat the godless nations like jokes.
CSB
8 But You laugh at them, Lord; You ridicule all the nations.

Psalms 59:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 59:8

But thou, O Lord, shall laugh at them
Disappoint their counsels, hinder them from performing their enterprise; send them back with shame and confusion, and expose them to the laughter and derision of others; as Saul's messengers were, when instead of David they found an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for its bolster, ( 1 Samuel 19:16 ) ; the same is said as here with respect to the enemies of Christ, ( Psalms 2:4 ) ;

thou shall have all the Heathen in derision:
either David's enemies, who, though Israelites, yet acted like Heathens to him, as in ( Psalms 59:5 ) ; or the Gentiles that were gathered together against Christ, ( Psalms 2:1-4 ) ; or the antichristian states and powers, who will be triumphed over at the time of their ruin, ( Revelation 18:20 ) ; and even all the wicked at the last day, ( Proverbs 1:26 ) .

Psalms 59:8 In-Context

6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?”
8 But you laugh at them, LORD; you scoff at all those nations.
9 You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,
10 my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 37:13; Proverbs 1:26
  • 2. Psalms 2:4
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.