The Bible describes God laughing at the proud plans of those who rebel against him, because no one can overthrow his rule. Yet God takes no pleasure in anyone’s destruction, and Scripture also shows him rejoicing over his people with joy. Since we’re made in his image, our own laughter and joy reflect something of him, and they’re meant to be aimed at the right things.
God Laughs at Rebellion Against Him
When the Old Testament describes God laughing, it usually isn’t the laughter of delight. It’s a response to the arrogance of those who think they can defy him. Psalm 2 pictures the nations and their rulers plotting together against the LORD and his anointed King.
Psalm 2:4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
This isn’t cruelty. It’s a picture of how absurd it is for creatures to imagine they can overthrow their Creator. Psalm 37:13 says something similar: “the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.” For those who trust God, this laughter is actually reassuring. Evil may seem powerful for a time, but it will never have the final word.
God Takes No Pleasure in Anyone’s Destruction
It would be easy to misunderstand those psalms and conclude that God enjoys judging people. Scripture firmly rules that out. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God revealed what is really on his heart.
Ezekiel 18:23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
God laughs at the foolishness of rebellion, but his heart longs for rebels to turn back to him and live. The same God who scoffs at human pride sent his Son to rescue proud people like us. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
God Delights in His People
There’s another side to God’s joy, and it’s beautiful. Scripture describes the delight he takes in those who belong to him. Through the prophet Zephaniah, God promised his people:
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
Imagine God singing over you with joy. That’s hardly the stern, humorless deity many people imagine. The Bible is full of laughter, too. When Sarah gave birth to Isaac in her old age, she said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6). Scripture even includes humor, like Elijah taunting the prophets of Baal: “Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened” (1 Kings 18:27).
Jesus, Joy and Our Laughter
Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), so his life shows us what God is like. He wept, grew angry at injustice, and used vivid, even humorous exaggeration, like a camel squeezing through the eye of a needle. The Gospels never describe him laughing, but Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh,” and Jesus shared fully in human life. He wanted his followers to know real joy.
John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Joy and laughter are good gifts from God. Like every gift, they can be misused when humor turns cruel, crude or mocking (Ephesians 5:4). If we want our laughter to reflect God’s, we’ll delight in what is good and never take pleasure in someone else’s pain.
The Takeaway
What makes God laugh? Scripture shows him laughing at the futility of rebellion against him, yet he takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked and delights over his people with singing. As his image-bearers, we can enjoy laughter that reflects his good and holy joy.
