Psalm 37:13
New International Version
but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

New Living Translation
But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.

English Standard Version
but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.

Berean Standard Bible
but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.

King James Bible
The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

New King James Version
The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.

New American Standard Bible
The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.

NASB 1995
The Lord laughs at him, For He sees his day is coming.

NASB 1977
The Lord laughs at him; For He sees his day is coming.

Legacy Standard Bible
The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.

Amplified Bible
The Lord laughs at him [the wicked one—the one who oppresses the righteous], For He sees that his day [of defeat] is coming.

Christian Standard Bible
The Lord laughs at him because he sees that his day is coming.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Lord laughs at him because He sees that his day is coming.

American Standard Version
The Lord will laugh at him; For he seeth that his day is coming.

Contemporary English Version
but the Lord laughs and knows their time is coming soon.

English Revised Version
The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Lord laughs at him because he has seen that his time is coming.

Good News Translation
But the Lord laughs at wicked people, because he knows they will soon be destroyed.

International Standard Version
But the Lord laughs at him because he sees that his day is coming!

Majority Standard Bible
but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.

NET Bible
The Lord laughs in disgust at them, for he knows that their day is coming.

New Heart English Bible
The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.

Webster's Bible Translation
The Lord will laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

World English Bible
The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The Lord laughs at him, "" For He has seen that his day comes.

Young's Literal Translation
The Lord doth laugh at him, For He hath seen that his day cometh.

Smith's Literal Translation
Jehovah shall laugh at him: for he saw that his day will come.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the Lord shall laugh at him : for he foreseeth that his day shall come.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the Lord will laugh at him: for he knows in advance that his day will come.

New American Bible
But my Lord laughs at them, because he sees that their day is coming.

New Revised Standard Version
but the LORD laughs at the wicked, for he sees that their day is coming.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The LORD shall laugh at him; for he sees that his day is coming.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH will laugh at him because he knows that his day is coming.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The Lord doth laugh at him; For He seeth that his day is coming.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the Lord shall laugh at him: for he foresees that his day will come.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Envy Those who Do Wrong
12The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, 13but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming. 14The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.…

Cross References
Proverbs 1:26
in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you,

Proverbs 3:34
He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.

Job 5:22
You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth.

Psalm 2:4
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them.

Psalm 59:8
But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.

Isaiah 37:22-23
this is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you. / Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!

Isaiah 40:23
He brings the princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth meaningless.

Isaiah 44:25
who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,

Isaiah 45:9
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?

Isaiah 46:5-7
To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? / They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.

Jeremiah 10:15
They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.

Jeremiah 51:17-18
Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. / They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.

Luke 6:25
Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Luke 16:15
So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

1 Corinthians 1:18-20
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?


Treasury of Scripture

The LORD shall laugh at him: for he sees that his day is coming.

laugh

Psalm 2:4
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Proverbs 1:26
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

his day

1 Samuel 26:10
David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

Jeremiah 50:27
Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

Ezekiel 21:25,29
And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, …

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Psalm 37
1. David persuades to patience and confidence in God,
12. by the different estate of the godly and the wicked














The Lord laughs
This phrase is a powerful anthropomorphism, attributing human characteristics to God to convey His divine perspective. The Hebrew root word for "laughs" is "שָׂחַק" (sachaq), which can mean to laugh in joy or derision. In this context, it reflects God's supreme confidence and sovereignty over the affairs of humanity. Historically, this laughter is not one of amusement but of divine assurance, indicating that God is not threatened by the schemes of the wicked. It is a reminder of His ultimate authority and the futility of opposing His will.

at him
The "him" in this context refers to the wicked or those who plot against the righteous. This phrase underscores the personal nature of God's response to evil. It is not a general disdain but a specific recognition of the individual who sets themselves against God's purposes. This highlights the personal relationship God has with His creation, where He is intimately aware of each person's actions and intentions.

for He sees
The phrase "for He sees" emphasizes God's omniscience. The Hebrew root "רָאָה" (ra'ah) means to see, perceive, or understand. This is not a passive observation but an active, discerning awareness. God’s vision penetrates beyond the surface, understanding the true nature and outcome of every action. This serves as a comfort to believers, knowing that God is fully aware of their struggles and the injustices they face.

his day
The term "his day" refers to the appointed time of judgment for the wicked. In biblical terms, "day" often signifies a period of divine intervention or reckoning. This phrase assures believers that there is a set time when justice will be served. It is a reminder of the temporal nature of evil and the certainty of God's righteous judgment. Historically, this reflects the biblical theme of the "Day of the Lord," a time when God will decisively act in history to vindicate His people and establish His kingdom.

is coming
The phrase "is coming" conveys the certainty and imminence of God's judgment. The Hebrew verb "בּוֹא" (bo) means to come or arrive, indicating that this event is not only assured but is actively approaching. This serves as both a warning to the wicked and a promise to the righteous. It reassures believers that God’s justice is not delayed indefinitely but is on the horizon, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their faith and trust in His timing.

(13) Shall laugh.--Comp. Psalm 2:4, Note; his day, i.e., the day of trouble or retribution for the wicked, as we see from Psalm 137:7; Job 18:20, etc.

Verse 13. - The Lord shall laugh at him (comp. Psalm 2:4; Psalm 59:8; and see the comment on the former passage). For he seeth that his day is coming; i.e. God sees that the day of the wicked man's visitation is approaching (see above, vers. 2, 9, 10; and comp. 1 Samuel 26:10).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
but the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֥י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

laughs,
יִשְׂחַק־ (yiś·ḥaq-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7832: To laugh, to play

seeing
רָ֝אָ֗ה (rā·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

their day
יוֹמֽוֹ׃ (yō·w·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

is coming.
יָבֹ֥א (yā·ḇō)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go


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OT Poetry: Psalm 37:13 The Lord will laugh at him (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 37:12
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