Psalms 2:4

He that sitteth in the heavens Enthroned in majesty (Psalms 123:1), but withal watching and controlling the course of events upon the earth (Psalms 11:4; Psalms 103:19; Psalms 113:4 ff.; Revelation 5:13; Revelation 6:16).

shall laugh … shall have them in derision Or, laugheth … mocketh at them. Cp. Psalms 37:13; Psalms 59:8; Proverbs 1:26. The O.T. uses human language of God without fear of lowering Him to a human level.

the Lord This is the reading of 1611, restored by Dr Scrivener. Most editions, and R.V., have the Lord, in accordance with the Massoretic Text, which reads Adonai, not Jehovah. The variation is perhaps significant. God is spoken of as the sovereign ruler of the world, rather than as the covenant God of Israel.