“Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet, or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Happy are all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2

“Psalm 2 is a prophecy of Christ, that He would suffer, and through His suffering become King and Lord of the whole world. Within this psalm stands a warning against the kings and lords of this world: If, instead of honoring and serving this King, they seek to persecute and blot Him out, they shall perish. This psalm also contains the promise that those who believe in the true King will be blessed. This psalm flows from the First Commandment, in which God promises to be our God, who will help us in every trouble and will work all good for us—just as He has, through Christ, delivered us from sin, death, and hell and brought us to eternal life. This blessing is what we pray for in the Second Petition of the Lord’s Prayer—that His kingdom come.” (Martin Luther, Reading the Psalms with Luther)

It might be hard to imagine that our Lord laughs sitting in the heavenly realm, watching the doings of those who conspire against heaven — yet this is the image the Psalmist gives. Perhaps we could consider the reasons G-d laughs:

A. G-d laughs because G-d is our Great King sitting among the courts of heaven, sitting in perfect peace and assurance — while those on earth conspire and plot in vain.

B. G-d laughs because G-d has authority over all creation. What does heaven have to fear from earth?

C. G-d laughs — G-d does not tremble — does not hide behind a vast celestial rampart. G-d simply ‘laughs’ at these great imposters.

G-d is the comfort of all those who love righteousness. As such, G-d’s laughter is the laughter of the strength of love. God does not exult over the sufferings of humanity — instead G-d laughs knowing G-d will accomplish G-d’s will which is nothing less than to love all that G-d has created.

Prayer

Thanks be unto You, O Lord Jesus Christ, because You were once dead, and by Your blood redeemed us from sin and everlasting torment. We desire to serve You all the days of our life. Preserve us in the midst of so many enemies, and by Your mighty hand preserve us for Your eternal kingdom! Amen.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” Psalm 1

“Psalm 1 is a psalm of comfort. It admonishes us to gladly hear and learn God’s Word and brings us the comfort that, in so doing, we will have many and great benefits. Just as a palm tree by the water grows green and brings fruit despite all heat and cold and the like, so also all our words and works will prosper despite all enemies. Human doctrines do not have this benefit, and, as the wind blows the chaff away, so they also pass away. For God says that those who study His Word please Him, but the others He allows to perish. This psalm flows from the Third Commandment; indeed, it is part of that commandment, for the command to honor the Sabbath is itself the command to hear and learn of God’s Word. Psalm 1 is also included in the Second and Third Petitions of the Lord’s Prayer, for in these we pray for God’s kingdom and His will, both of which are conveyed by His Word.” (Martin Luther, Reading the Psalms with Luther)

“The wicked” of Psalm 1 are those who seek independence from G-d, those who live according to the world’s standards and not G-d’s. At times this way of life may appear to be the way to happiness and prosperity. However, Psalm 1 helps us see things in ultimate perspective: the prosperity of the wicked is fleeting, for they are like chaff blown away by the wind.

So, what makes you happy? What gets you excited? This is a good way to see what is important to you. If personal pleasure is the only thing that makes you happy, then you are a selfish, self-centered person. If being with your family or friends delights you, that can be better, but it still falls short. The righteous finds their delight in the ways of G-d — not in the ways of this earth and its pleasures.

Martin Luther said that he could not live in paradise without the word of God, but he could live well enough in hell with it.

Prayer

O God, thanks and praise belong to You because You have given us Your Holy Word. Enlighten us by Your Holy Spirit to understand Your counsel of grace in Jesus Christ, to love Your Word, and to take delight in learning Your statutes and walking in Your Law. Bestow Your blessing and prosperity on the works of our hands in our Christian calling and all our conversation. Amen.