He That Sitteth in the Heavens Shall Laugh (1)

Psalms 2:4(KJV)

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

I taught on REJOICING in the Annual New Testament Worship series. We fall into error when we attempt to define this word from the surface.

In the New Testament Greek lexicon, there are six Greek words that were translated as "rejoice", and they don't have same meanings. For example, agalliaō has a demonstrative expression on the outward, which could include jumping, twirling, and shaking of the limbs. However, this word is used just 11 times in the entire New Testament out of the 165 instances, unlike chairō, which is used about 77 times. Chairō refers to a state of the heart; it means to be glad and cheerful. This is the state God wants his children to be in 24/7.

For example, in Philippians 4:4 that says, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice"; and 1 Thessalonians 5:16 that says, "Rejoice evermore", the word is chairō. Jumping and leaping for joy is not possible 24/7. Is it? 😁

Alright, so one very real way of expressing joy is laughter. Only sad people don't laugh. This is a very christianly attitude as well. The cheerfulness should be 24/7 and the lucid expression through leaping and jumping, and laughing as well, should be a practice.

Now, one verse of the Bible often used is

Psalms 2:4(KJV)

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Ephesians 2:6 has been used by some to buttress that the believer is part of this story, since he is “seated with Christ in heaven”.

Let's examine this; shall we?

Psalms 2:1-7(KJV)

[1]Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

[2]The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

[3]Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

[4]He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

[5]Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

[6]Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

[7]I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Following contextually, it is clear in verse 7 (a prophecy about the resurrection—Acts 13:33) that the anointed in verse 2 is Jesus.

Acts 13:33(KJV)

God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that HE HATH RAISED UP JESUS AGAIN; as it is also written in the second psalm, THOU ART MY SON, THIS DAY HAVE I BEGOTTEN THEE.

Now the context of Psalm 2 talks about an action of the Lord against his enemies—how that despite their ploys against him, HE WILL LAUGH AT THEM. Laugh there in verse 4 is from the Hebrew word ώâchaq which could either denote laughter in rejoicing or in mockery. From its context, we derive its usage.

It is clear from the above text that this is mockery. Examining carefully, who is he that sits in the heavens? The Lord. What would he do? He would laugh his enemies to scorn. That's what derision means: "the Lord shall have them in derision."

ώâchaq is used in same context David's words in Psalm 37.

Psalms 37:12-13,15,17(KJV)

[12]The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

[13]The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

What day? The day of the destruction of the wicked, as the Lord defends the just.

[15]Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

[17]For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

Another instance worthy of note is Psalm 59, used in exactly same context as Psalm 2.

Psalms 59:8(KJV)

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

So it is clear that laughter here is not pointing to an expression of joy, but mockery. Mockery does not necessarily denote joy.

Now, all through the epistles, we are admonished to rejoice because of what God has done for us in Christ Jesus—how that he has delivered us from sin and death, and has translated us into the kingdom of light. It is the Christian way to rejoice at the finished works of Jesus, at our eternal hope, and at the demonstration of the supernatural as well.

This is the joy of the Holy Ghost, and not mockery.

Psalm 2:4 does not qualify to admonish the man in Christ to laugh for joy.

A better reference is Psalm 126.

Psalms 126:1-3(KJV)

[1]When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

[2]THEN WAS OUR MOUTH FILLED WITH LAUGHTER, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

[3]The LORD hath done great things for us; WHEREOF WE ARE GLAD.

Laughter here is from the Hebrew word ώechôq ώechôq, which could be mockery or joy as well. From its context, we derive its usage; and it's clear from this context, even from the whole six verses in the chapter that this is joy and not mockery or derision.

[3]The LORD hath done great things for us; WHEREOF WE ARE GLAD.

The deliverance of Israel from captivity was used a number of times by prophets to prophesy what Jesus would do for us when he came to earth.

Our joy is not mockery. Ours is a better one; an enduring one—the joy of the Holy Ghost.