Psalm 37:13

Translations

Modern

…but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.

Traditional

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

Literal

The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.

Latin

Dominus autem irridebit eum, quoniam prospicit quod veniet dies ejus.

Original

Hebrew

English

…but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.

Notes

Psalms 37:12–13

The wicked show their envy by gnashing their teeth (an expression of anger and hostility). They make plans to harm the godly. But the Lord laughs at them because he knows they will fail (Psalm 2:4).

Psalms 37:12–17

The wicked seek to destroy the Lord’s order, but he defeats them.

Psalms 37:1–40

This psalm addresses the issues raised in Psalm 36:

How should the godly react to evil?
When will the Lord bring justice?
Why does he allow the wicked to harm his creation?

Psalm 37 provides clear answers that reduce the tensions of life (Psalm 37:1–9, 34) and promise that the meek will have a future (Psalm 37:10–11, 39–40).

The contrast between the godly and the wicked highlights the uselessness of foolishness (Psalm 37:12–24, 27–33). The psalmist's personal insights add a human element (Psalm 37:25–26, 35–38). He encourages viewing the land's inheritance with a long-term perspective: The earth belongs to the Lord, who will give it to those he blesses—the humble and godly who trust, hope, and follow him (see Psalm 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34; see also Isaiah 57:13; Matthew 5:5).

Theme notes and profiles

David Inheriting the Land Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 2:4
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them.
Proverbs 1:26
…in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you,
1 Samuel 26:10
David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.
Daniel 5:26
And this is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
Ezekiel 21:25
And you, O profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your final punishment.’
Ezekiel 21:29
…while they offer false visions for you and lying divinations about you—to be placed on the necks of the wicked who are slain, whose day has come, the time of their final punishment.
Jeremiah 50:27
Kill all her young bulls; let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them, for their day has come—the time of their punishment.
Job 18:20
Those in the west are appalled at his fate, while those in the east tremble in horror.

Parallels

1 Kings 2:1–9

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Acrostic David Inheritance Laughter Music Poetry, Biblical Poor, the Proverbs, Book of Psalms, Book of Riches Wisdom Literature

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities of the Wicked: God Holds in Derision Anthropomorphisms: Miscellaneous Acts and States of Mind Attributed to Laughing Laughing Laughter: Attributed to God The Afflictions of the Wicked: God Holds in Derision Wicked (People): Punishment of

Psalm 37:13

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?