But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations. But You, O LORDThis phrase begins with a contrastive conjunction "But," indicating a shift from the previous verses where David describes the threats and schemes of his enemies. The use of "O LORD" (Yahweh) is significant, as it invokes the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, unchanging nature and His special relationship with Israel. In the Hebrew context, "Yahweh" is the self-existent, self-sufficient God who is sovereign over all creation. This invocation serves as a reminder of God's supreme authority and His personal involvement in the lives of His people. laugh at them
The image of God laughing is a powerful anthropomorphism, conveying His supreme confidence and authority over the futile plans of the wicked. In Hebrew, the word "laugh" (שָׂחַק, sachaq) suggests a derisive laughter, indicating that the threats posed by the enemies are not only powerless against God but also absurd in the face of His omnipotence. This laughter is not one of amusement but of scorn, highlighting the futility of opposing God's will. Historically, this reflects the biblical theme that human rebellion against God is ultimately laughable because it cannot thwart His divine purposes. You scoff at all the nations
The term "scoff" (לָעַג, laag) further emphasizes God's disdain for the arrogance of the nations. In the ancient Near Eastern context, nations often boasted of their power and military might, yet here, they are depicted as objects of divine ridicule. This phrase underscores the universal scope of God's sovereignty; He is not just the God of Israel but the ruler over all nations. Theologically, this serves as a reminder that no earthly power can stand against God's plans. The historical context of Israel surrounded by powerful empires makes this declaration of God's supremacy even more poignant, offering assurance that despite appearances, God remains in control. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 59, who wrote this psalm as a plea for deliverance from his enemies, specifically when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The central figure in this verse, depicted as sovereign and powerful, laughing at the futile plans of the nations against His anointed. 3. The NationsRepresents the enemies of David and, by extension, the enemies of God’s people. They are seen as opposing God’s will and purposes. 4. SaulThe King of Israel at the time, who was pursuing David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne. 5. The WatchersThe men sent by Saul to keep an eye on David and to kill him, representing the immediate threat to David’s life. Teaching Points God’s Sovereignty Over NationsGod is not threatened by the plans of nations or individuals. His purposes will prevail despite human opposition. Divine Justice and MockeryGod’s laughter signifies His ultimate control and the certainty of His justice. It is a reminder that evil will not triumph. Trust in God’s ProtectionLike David, believers can trust in God’s protection and deliverance from their enemies, knowing that God sees and acts. The Futility of Opposing GodHuman efforts against God’s will are ultimately futile. Aligning with God’s purposes is the path to true wisdom and success. Encouragement in Times of PersecutionWhen facing persecution or opposition, believers can find comfort in knowing that God is aware and will act in His perfect timing. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God’s sovereignty, as depicted in Psalm 59:8, influence your response to current world events? 2. In what ways can you apply the truth of God’s protection in your personal life, especially when facing opposition or fear? 3. How does the image of God laughing at the nations challenge or comfort you in your faith journey? 4. Reflect on a time when you felt surrounded by "enemies" or challenges. How can Psalm 59:8 encourage you to trust in God’s deliverance? 5. How can the themes of divine justice and the futility of opposing God, as seen in Psalm 59:8, be related to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 2:4This verse also depicts God laughing at the nations, emphasizing His supreme authority and the futility of human rebellion against Him. Proverbs 1:26Here, God’s laughter is a response to the calamity of those who reject wisdom, highlighting the theme of divine justice. Isaiah 40:15This passage underscores the insignificance of the nations compared to God’s greatness, reinforcing the message of God’s sovereignty. People David, Jacob, Joab, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Derision, Heathen, Hold, Laugh, Laughing, Mock, Nations, O, Scoff, Sport, WiltDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 59:8 1210 God, human descriptions
5562 suffering, innocent
5900 laughter
8817 ridicule, objects of Psalm 59:5-8 8819 scoffing Library Waiting and Singing
'Because of his strength will I wait upon Thee: for God is my defence.... 17. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.'--PSALM lix. 9, 17. There is an obvious correspondence between these two verses even as they stand in our translation, and still more obviously in the Hebrew. You observe that in the former verse the words 'because of' are a supplement inserted by our translators, because they did not exactly know what to make of the bare words as they …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureOf Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of this Life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. 2. Behold, therefore, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Wherefore this do Ye, virgins of God, this do Ye...
53. Wherefore this do ye, virgins of God, this do ye: follow ye the Lamb, whithersoever He shall have gone. But first come unto Him, Whom ye are to follow, and learn, in that He is meek and lowly of heart. Come ye in lowly wise unto the Lowly, if ye love: and depart not from Him, lest ye fall. For whoso fears to depart from Him asks and says, "Let there not come to me foot of pride." [2214] Go on in the way of loftiness with the foot of lowliness; Himself lifteth up such as follow in lowly wise, …
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity. St. Malachy Becomes Bishop of Connor; He Builds the Monastery of iveragh.
16. (10). At that time an episcopal see was vacant,[321] and had long been vacant, because Malachy would not assent: for they had elected him to it.[322] But they persisted, and at length he yielded when their entreaties were enforced by the command of his teacher,[323] together with that of the metropolitan.[324] It was when he was just entering the thirtieth year of his age,[325] that he was consecrated bishop and brought to Connor; for that was the name of the city through ignorance of Irish ecclesiastical …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Whence Also the Just of Old, Before the Incarnation of the Word...
18. Whence also the just of old, before the Incarnation of the Word, in this faith of Christ, and in this true righteousness, (which thing Christ is unto us,) were justified; believing this to come which we believe come: and they themselves by grace were saved through faith, not of themselves, but by the gift of God, not of works, lest haply they should be lifted up. [2679] For their good works did not come before God's mercy, but followed it. For to them was it said, and by them written, long ere …
St. Augustine—On Patience Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
OR, THE THRONE OF GRACE ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The churches of Christ are very much indebted to the Rev. Charles Doe, for the preservation and publishing of this treatise. It formed one of the ten excellent manuscripts left by Bunyan at his decease, prepared for the press. Having treated on the nature of prayer in his searching work on 'praying with the spirit and with the understanding also,' in which he proves from the sacred scriptures that prayer cannot be merely read or said, but must …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire Until the Collapse of the Western Empire and the First Schism Between the East and the West, or Until About A. D. 500
In the second period of the history of the Church under the Christian Empire, the Church, although existing in two divisions of the Empire and experiencing very different political fortunes, may still be regarded as forming a whole. The theological controversies distracting the Church, although different in the two halves of the Graeco-Roman world, were felt to some extent in both divisions of the Empire and not merely in the one in which they were principally fought out; and in the condemnation …
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 59:8 NIVPsalm 59:8 NLTPsalm 59:8 ESVPsalm 59:8 NASBPsalm 59:8 KJV
Psalm 59:8 Commentaries
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