What does the Bible mean by the nations' derision or perplexity?
The derision or perplexity means the nations are thrown into such confusion over their political and economic problems that they do not know which way to turn. God laughs at man's foolishness and holds them in derision, while Luke describes the nations roaring like the waves of the sea in perplexity.
Les explains that verse 4 says, "he that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh at man's foolishness, and the Lord shall have them in derision." He then notes that in Luke's Gospel Jesus used the word perplexity, saying the nations shall roar like the waves of the sea, and there shall be perplexity. Les says this is the same meaning as derision: such confusion over their political and economic problems that they do not know which way to turn. He connects this to the time period between the crucifixion and Peter's offer of the Kingdom in Acts, when the derision could have taken place, the nations of the then-known world could have come to the same perplexity where we are today, and the end thing could have been brought about.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;