Psalms 37:13 Meaning Explained

Psalms 37:13

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

English Standard Version (ESV)

The verse highlights that God's "laughter" isn't amusement but a profound, knowing perspective on the wicked, because He sees their "day"—not just any day, but the appointed, inevitable day of their own downfall. This "day" signifies a divinely ordained reckoning, a point of no return that the wicked themselves are blind to, but which God, in His perfect foresight, already beholds.

What Psalms 37:13 means

The psalmist is describing the intense opposition and malice the righteous face from the wicked, who plot and scheme against them, even gnashing their teeth in fury. This verse offers a divine perspective: God isn't worried by the wicked's schemes, because He sees their ultimate downfall is inevitable and imminent. The wicked’s violent actions are futile because their appointed day of judgment is already coming.

God's Perspective: A Divine Detachment

Ever feel like the wicked are winning? That their evil plans are succeeding while you're just trying to stay on the path? This verse offers a radically different perspective.

The Psalmist describes God's reaction to the wicked plotting against the righteous as laughter. This isn't a cruel or mocking laugh, but one of divine assurance and contempt for their futile efforts.

A Scoff at Futility

Calvin explains that God's laughter is not a sign of indifference, but a deep understanding that the wicked's schemes are ultimately destined to fail. It's a recognition of their vanity and folly in opposing God's purposes.

Not Ignoring, But Foreseeing

This laughter stems from God's perfect knowledge. He "sees that his day is coming." This isn't just any day; it's the appointed day of reckoning for the wicked, a day of judgment and ruin. Because God sees the end from the beginning, He is not alarmed by the wicked's present power.

The Wicked's "Day": A Cosmic Appointment

The verse mentions "his day." What day is this, and why does God's awareness of it cause Him to laugh?

The phrase "his day" is a critical concept here. It doesn't refer to a day of triumph for the wicked, but rather the opposite – their appointed day of judgment and destruction.

Day of Reckoning

Commentators consistently interpret "his day" as the time God has set aside for the wicked's punishment. It's their "day of visitation" or "day of ruin." Unlike the righteous whose day is one of blessing, the wicked await a day of severe consequence.

Divine Certainty

God's laughter is powerful because He sees this day coming. For us, the wicked might seem unstoppable, their actions endless. But God perceives the full arc of their story, knowing the inevitable end. This certainty is the foundation of His calm, unwavering response.

Understand the original words

Original language

Lordיְהוָה

YHWH · Hebrew Noun

Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel who is sovereign over all creation and history, especially in His judgment of evil.

laughsשָׂחַק

sachaq · Hebrew Verb

In this context, a symbol of God's absolute sovereignty and scorn for the futile efforts of human rebellion against His divine order.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the monarchic period, ranging from the time of David (c. 1000 BC) to the post-exilic era.
Author: Traditionally attributed to David, though the Psalms include works from various authors over centuries.
Location: Written from the perspective of Jerusalem, or the wilderness of Judah.
Genre: Wisdom poetry, characterized by its use of parallelism and acrostic forms in some psalms.

Key themes

01Divine judgment and justice
02God's sovereign perspective
03Timing of retribution

Cross-references

Psalms 2:4

This passage echoes the sentiment of God 'laughing' at His enemies, highlighting His ultimate sovereignty and the futility of human opposition against His plans.

Proverbs 6:12-15

This section describes the wicked as devising evil and speaking mischief, drawing a parallel to the Psalmist's depiction of the wicked plotting against the righteous, with God's judgment impending.

Isaiah 10:5-19

This prophecy details how the wicked Assyrian king, though used by God, will be judged for his arrogance and violence, mirroring the theme of God's laughter and the coming 'day' of reckoning for the wicked.

Jeremiah 50:27

This verse directly speaks of the 'day' of judgment coming upon the wicked, reinforcing the concept in Psalms 37:13 of an appointed time for divine retribution.

Hebrews 10:36-37

This New Testament passage speaks of patient endurance in suffering because the coming of the Lord is near, reflecting the assurance in Psalms 37:13 that God sees the appointed time for justice.

Scholarly commentary

Psalms 37:12-15: "The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth."

The wicked plotteth against the righteous, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13. But the Lord [27] shall laugh at him; for he seeth that his day is coming. 14. The wicked draw their sword, and bend their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay those that are of upright ways. 15. But their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bow shall be broken.

The wicked plotteth…

calvin

Psalms 37:13: "The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming."

(Compare Ps 2:4).seeth—knows certainly.his day—of punishment, long delayed, shall yet come (Heb 10:37).

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