Psa 2:4-5 | NET2full | STEP | The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust; the Lord taunts them.

‏ Psalms 2:4-5

4 The one enthroned ^{▼▼tn Heb “sitting.” The Hebrew verb יָשַׁב (yashav) is here used metonymically of “sitting enthroned” (see Pss 9:7; 29:10; 55:19; 102:12; 123:1).} in heaven laughs in disgust; ^{▼▼tn As the next line indicates, this refers to derisive laughter. The Hebrew imperfect verbal forms in vv. 4-5 describe the action from the perspective of an eyewitness who is watching the divine response as it unfolds before his eyes.}
the Lord taunts ^{▼▼tn Or “scoffs at”; “derides”; “mocks.”} them.
5 Then he angrily speaks to them
and terrifies them in his rage, ^{▼▼sn And terrifies them in his rage. This line focuses on the effect that God’s angry response (see previous line) has on the rebellious kings.} saying, ^{▼▼tn The word “saying” is supplied in the translation for clarification to indicate that the speaker is the Lord (cf. RSV, NIV).}