Psalm 52 6

Psalm 52:6 kjv

The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

Psalm 52:6 nkjv

The righteous also shall see and fear, And shall laugh at him, saying,

Psalm 52:6 niv

The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying,

Psalm 52:6 esv

The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying,

Psalm 52:6 nlt

The righteous will see it and be amazed.
They will laugh and say,

Psalm 52 verses

Psalm 52 6 Meaning

This verse describes the natural and just response of God's faithful people when they witness the divine judgment on the wicked. The righteous, seeing the downfall of those who oppose God and oppress others, will respond with reverence and awe for God's power and justice, and with a sense of righteous vindication or derision directed at the folly of the wicked, particularly expressed in the subsequent verse (Psa 52:7). It signifies the ultimate triumph of divine righteousness and order over human depravity and disorder.

Psalm 52 6 Context

Psalm 52 is a Michtam of David, a psalm conveying deep reflection, composed specifically after Doeg the Edomite reported David's visit to Ahimelech the priest to King Saul (1 Sam 21-22). This treacherous act led to Saul's order for Doeg to massacre 85 priests of Nob and their families. David, profoundly affected by this betrayal and atrocity, expresses his conviction in God's ultimate justice. The preceding verses (Psa 52:1-5) detail the destructive and deceitful nature of the wicked (Doeg), lamenting his boastful power and confidence in ill-gotten wealth. Verse 6 shifts to God's response to such wickedness, anticipating the divine judgment that will be meted out to those who reject God, and the righteous' appropriate response to that judgment, leading into their collective declaration in Psa 52:7. The context highlights a clear moral contrast between the integrity of the righteous and the malice of the wicked.

Psalm 52 6 Word analysis

• The righteous (Hebrew: צַדִּיקִים, tzaddiqim): This refers to those who are in a right relationship with God, characterized by integrity, moral uprightness, and obedience to His commands. They are not perfect, but their lives are aligned with God's covenant and justice, distinct from the deceitful "mighty man" (Doeg) condemned in previous verses.

• will see (Hebrew: וְיִרְא֤וּ, v'yir'u from רָאָה ra'ah): This is more than a casual glance. It implies keen observation, discernment, and understanding of the unfolding divine action. It signifies a spiritual insight into the just consequences of wickedness and the sovereign hand of God orchestrating events.

• and fear (Hebrew: וְיִירָ֗אוּ, v'yira'u from יָרֵא yare'): This "fear" is not terror or cowardice in the face of judgment upon others, but rather reverence, awe, and dread of the Almighty God. It is a holy fear that recognizes God's absolute power, His holiness, and His unwavering commitment to justice, deepening one's worship and respect for Him.

• and will laugh at him (Hebrew: וְעָלָ֥יו יִשְׂחָֽקוּ, v'alav yischaku from שָׂחַק sachaq): This "laughter" is not cruel or flippant mockery but rather a response of righteous derision, scorn, and triumph. It reflects:

  • Vindication: The satisfaction of seeing justice served for the oppressed.
  • Recognition of Folly: Laughter at the sheer foolishness of the wicked who defy God and place their trust in fleeting worldly power.
  • Divine Alignment: It echoes God's own "laughter" at the arrogance of the wicked (Psa 2:4; 37:13), signaling agreement with His divine judgment. It’s a collective declaration of truth.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "will see and fear": This pairing emphasizes the transformative power of witnessing God's righteous judgments. Seeing His justice firsthand instills a deeper reverence and understanding of His character, solidifying faith. It implies a recognition of divine sovereignty over human affairs.
  • "fear and laugh": The juxtaposition of these two reactions highlights the multi-faceted response of the righteous. The fear is directed upward towards the holy God (reverence), while the laughter is directed outward/downward towards the condemned wicked (righteous scorn/vindication). Both reactions flow from a deep conviction in God's righteousness and are appropriate responses to His decisive action against evil. The righteous find comfort and affirmation in God's judgment of those who harm others.

Psalm 52 6 Bonus section

The collective nature of "the righteous will see," "and will fear," "and will laugh" emphasizes the communal validation of God's justice. This isn't just an individual experience but a shared realization among God's faithful. It reinforces the community of believers in their conviction about God's character and strengthens their faith, serving as a powerful lesson for future generations about the certainty of divine retribution for the wicked and vindication for the just. This public recognition of God's judgment also serves as a warning and a deterrent to others contemplating evil actions. It confirms that the Lord is an active judge who distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked.

Psalm 52 6 Commentary

Psalm 52:6 captures the profound, multi-layered reaction of the righteous to divine judgment. As the wicked, exemplified by Doeg, inevitably face the consequences of their destructive pride and deceit, those who honor God will observe this unfold with both solemn awe and profound satisfaction. The "fear" is a humble recognition of God’s awesome power and unwavering justice, acknowledging that He is sovereign and will indeed judge the earth. Simultaneously, the "laughter" is not born of malice, but of righteous vindication and contempt for the ultimate folly of placing trust in corrupt gain rather than in God. It’s a spiritual agreement with God’s judgment, signaling the triumph of righteousness and the certainty of His promised deliverance from oppression, leading directly into the affirmation of divine truth expressed in the next verse. This verse serves as a declaration of faith in God's ultimate moral order amidst present injustice.