Psalm 14 2

Psalm 14:2 kjv

The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

Psalm 14:2 nkjv

The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

Psalm 14:2 niv

The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

Psalm 14:2 esv

The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.

Psalm 14:2 nlt

The LORD looks down from heaven
on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
if anyone seeks God.

Psalm 14 verses

Psalm 14 2 Meaning

Psalm 14:2 portrays the Lord’s direct, sovereign gaze from His heavenly throne, meticulously observing the entire human race. His intention in this cosmic inspection is to ascertain if anyone truly possesses spiritual discernment, that is, a profound understanding of His nature and ways, or if there is anyone earnestly seeking after Him for a relationship and guidance. This verse underscores God's active engagement with humanity's moral and spiritual condition, revealing His omniscience and a pervasive spiritual famine among mankind.

Psalm 14 2 Context

Psalm 14, mirrored almost identically by Psalm 53, depicts a pervasive moral and spiritual decay among humanity. The preceding verse (14:1) introduces the "fool" who declares in his heart, "There is no God," leading to corrupt and abominable deeds, with no one doing good. Verse 2 immediately follows, portraying the Divine response to this state of widespread wickedness. From His exalted dwelling place in heaven, God undertakes an active survey, assessing whether there exists among humankind any true understanding or genuine pursuit of Him. This immediate shift from human depravity to divine observation sets the stage for God's ultimate judgment and future redemption mentioned later in the psalm. Historically, this reflection of universal depravity served as a strong polemic against contemporary pagan beliefs which often saw deities as indifferent or unaware of human actions, asserting instead the vigilant, righteous character of Yahweh.

Psalm 14 2 Word analysis

• The Lord (יהוה - Yahweh): This divine name emphasizes God's personal, covenantal, and sovereign character. It signifies His absolute self-existence and active presence. The One True God, not a mere idol, is the subject of this divine inspection.
• looked down (שָׁקַף - shaqaf): This Hebrew verb denotes a deliberate, focused gaze from a high vantage point, often implying scrutiny, investigation, or observation for a specific purpose. It suggests a careful and intentional assessment, not a casual glance.
• from heaven (מִשָּׁמַיִם - mishamayim): Refers to God's transcendental dwelling place, the realm of His authority and power. Looking from heaven signifies a comprehensive, unhindered view over all of creation and humanity. It underscores God's omniscient perspective.
• upon the children of men (עַל בְּנֵי אָדָם - al benei adam): Literally "upon the sons of Adam." This phrase is comprehensive, referring to all humanity, irrespective of ethnicity or social standing, emphasizing their shared human frailties and origin. It is a universal examination.
• to see (לִרְאוֹת - lir'ot): Expresses the divine purpose of the observation—an inquiry, a diagnostic quest. God's looking is an investigative action, searching for a specific quality or presence among humanity.
• if there were any (הֲיֵשׁ - hayesh): This interrogative particle implies a question of existence, highlighting the rarity or absence of what is being sought. It conveys a search for what is profoundly lacking.
• that did understand (מֵבִין - mevin): From the root בִּין (bin), meaning "to discern, perceive, have insight, separate, distinguish." This refers to more than mere intellectual capacity; it implies spiritual wisdom, moral perception, and a capacity to distinguish right from wrong in God's eyes, to discern God's will and truth. It's understanding that leads to righteous action.
• and seek God (דֹּרֵשׁ אֱלֹהִים - doresh Elohim): "Doresh" comes from דָּרַשׁ (darash), meaning "to seek, enquire, require, study, frequent, consult." It denotes an earnest, diligent pursuit or inquiry, a turning towards God for truth and relationship, not merely an intellectual acknowledgment. "Elohim" is a general Hebrew word for God, often referring to the creator God, here indicating the object of the search for a living relationship.

• "The Lord looked down from heaven": This phrase emphasizes God's supreme authority, transcendence, and omniscience. It is a posture of active, comprehensive surveillance from a position of ultimate judgment and control, contrasting sharply with human hiddenness or ignorance.
• "upon the children of men, to see if there were any": This group of words defines the vast scope and dire nature of God's search. It's a universal scan for spiritual life among a populace presumed to be lacking it, as foreshadowed by verse 1. It suggests a surprising scarcity of true spiritual insight.
• "that did understand, and seek God": These two interconnected qualities are God's criteria for His inspection. "Understanding" means having spiritual discernment that rightly perceives God's existence and His moral demands. "Seeking God" is the active, intentional pursuit of a relationship with Him, signifying a desire to know and obey His will. They represent true wisdom and piety in contrast to the foolish denial of God.

Psalm 14 2 Bonus section

The strong thematic parallelism between Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 highlights a deliberate reinforcement of this message concerning universal human depravity and God's scrutinizing gaze. This repetition underscores the absolute certainty of God's verdict on fallen humanity's spiritual state. The "fool" mentioned in Psalm 14:1 is not necessarily intellectually devoid, but morally and spiritually foolish, evidenced by a life lived as if God does not exist or is irrelevant. Therefore, God's search for "understanding" and "seeking God" is a quest for those whose lives reflect a recognition of His existence and sovereignty, manifesting as righteous conduct and devout pursuit. This psalm anticipates the New Testament's declaration that salvation is not found through human merit or seeking, but through God's gracious intervention (Rom 3:10-18, a direct quotation from Psalm 14). God's search ultimately reveals the necessity of His own redemptive action, as fulfilled in Christ Jesus, for humanity to ever truly understand and seek Him.

Psalm 14 2 Commentary

Psalm 14:2 profoundly expresses God's universal oversight and His specific, disheartening discovery regarding humanity. Despite His omnipotence, God actively stoops, so to speak, to examine the spiritual state of His created beings. His "looking down" is not a passive observation but a purposeful investigation from His supreme vantage point in heaven, indicative of His pervasive concern. He seeks out two crucial qualities: understanding and seeking. The "understanding" God seeks is not merely intellectual capacity but profound spiritual discernment—the ability to grasp God's truth, acknowledge His existence, and discern His moral law in the heart. This spiritual understanding naturally leads to the second quality: an active, heartfelt "seeking God." This is a relentless, earnest pursuit of a relationship with the Divine, desiring His presence, His guidance, and His will. The disheartening conclusion of this divine inspection, echoed throughout Psalm 14 and directly stated in Rom 3, is that such understanding and genuine seeking are incredibly rare, highlighting humanity's profound spiritual fallenness and natural aversion to God. It lays bare the reality that on our own, we do not incline toward Him.