Psalms 59:8

Authorized King James Version

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But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

Original Language Analysis

וְאַתָּ֣ה H859
וְאַתָּ֣ה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 1 of 7
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
יְ֭הוָה But thou O LORD H3068
יְ֭הוָה But thou O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
תִּשְׂחַק shalt laugh H7832
תִּשְׂחַק shalt laugh
Strong's: H7832
Word #: 3 of 7
to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play
לָ֑מוֹ H0
לָ֑מוֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 4 of 7
תִּ֝לְעַ֗ג in derision H3932
תִּ֝לְעַ֗ג in derision
Strong's: H3932
Word #: 5 of 7
to deride; by implication (as if imitating a foreigner) to speak unintelligibly
לְכָל H3605
לְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גּוֹיִֽם׃ at them thou shalt have all the heathen H1471
גּוֹיִֽם׃ at them thou shalt have all the heathen
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 7 of 7
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

Analysis & Commentary

God's laughter at the wicked demonstrates divine transcendence over human schemes. The Hebrew 'sachaq' (laugh/mock/scorn) appears in Psalm 2:4 describing God's response to nations' rebellion. 'Thou shalt have all the heathen in derision' reveals that from God's eternal perspective, human opposition is absurd, not threatening—a truth that emboldens believers facing persecution.

Historical Context

This parallels Psalm 2's depiction of God's response to nations' conspiracy against His anointed. David understood that as God's chosen king, opposition to him was ultimately rebellion against God Himself, warranting divine derision.

Questions for Reflection