Psalms 37:13

What does Psalms 37:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 37:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 37:13 means

This verse offers immediate divine reassurance in the face of the wicked's plots, portraying God's sovereign and confident response. The Lord does not fret or worry; instead, He "will laugh at him." This laughter is not one of amusement but of divine scorn and absolute certainty, recognizing the ultimate futility and foolishness of the wicked's schemes. The reason for His confidence is profound: "For he seeth that his day is coming." God has full knowledge of the wicked's appointed time for judgment and destruction. His laughter underscores His unshakeable control and the assured downfall of those who oppose Him and His people.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He will be laughed at by the Lord, who sees that his day is coming.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

The Lord doth laugh at him, For He hath seen that his day cometh.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they that sought my soul used violence. And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, and studied deceits all the day long.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The Lord laugheth at him; for he seeth that his day is coming.

Context

In direct response to the wicked's plotting and gnashing described in verse 12, this verse reveals God's counter-response. It provides immediate comfort and assurance, showing that God is neither unaware nor concerned by evil schemes, for He sees the end from the beginning. This divine perspective on the wicked's fate sets up the continued description of their malicious actions and the ultimate reversal of fortune in the following verses.

v.12The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

v.13This passage

v.14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay such as are upright in the way.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezekiel 21:29

    while they see for thee false visions, while they divine lies unto thee, to lay thee upon the necks of the wicked that are deadly wounded, whose day is come in the time of the iniquity of the end.

  • Psalms 2:4

    He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision.

  • Proverbs 1:26

    I also will laugh inthe day ofyour calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

  • 1 Samuel 26:10

    And David said, As Jehovah liveth, Jehovah will smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle and perish.

  • Daniel 5:26

    This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and brought it to an end.

  • 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.

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