Psalm 33:13 kjv
The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
Psalm 33:13 nkjv
The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.
Psalm 33:13 niv
From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;
Psalm 33:13 esv
The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;
Psalm 33:13 nlt
The LORD looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race.
Psalm 33 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 16:13 | So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees,”... | God's seeing as a core attribute. |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance... for the LORD sees not as man sees..." | God sees the heart, not just the outward. |
| 2 Chr 16:9 | "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth..." | God's watchful care over all the earth. |
| Psa 11:4 | The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven... His eyes behold, His eyelids test the children of man. | God's heavenly throne and testing gaze. |
| Psa 14:2 | The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man... | Similar expression of divine observation. |
| Psa 102:19 | For He looked down from His holy height; from heaven the LORD viewed the earth... | God observing the earth from heaven. |
| Psa 139:1-4 | O LORD, You have searched me and known me! You know my sitting down and my rising up... | God's absolute omniscience of individuals. |
| Psa 139:7-8 | Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there... | God's inescapable omnipresence. |
| Prov 15:3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. | God's moral discernment across all humanity. |
| Jer 16:17 | For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from Me... | Nothing is hidden from God's sight. |
| Jer 23:24 | “Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the LORD... | God's unavoidable omnipresence. |
| Heb 4:13 | No creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him... | Every creation fully known to God. |
| Mat 6:4 | ...and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. | God sees even secret actions. |
| Acts 17:24-25 | The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples... | God as universal Creator and Lord. |
| Rom 1:18-20 | For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven... For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes... are clearly seen... | God's divine revelation through creation. |
| Col 1:16-17 | For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth... and in Him all things hold together. | Christ as active Creator and sustainer. |
| Rev 4:2 | At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven... | God's sovereign heavenly throne. |
Psalm 33 verses
Psalm 33 13 Meaning
Psalm 33:13 proclaims God's universal and penetrating observation of all humanity. It conveys that the Sovereign Lord, dwelling in His transcendent heaven, possesses perfect and complete knowledge of every person on earth, understanding their thoughts, deeds, and even their innermost intentions. This truth emphasizes God's omnipresence in awareness and His active engagement with creation.
Psalm 33 13 Context
Psalm 33 is a hymn of praise emphasizing God's attributes as Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of all. It celebrates His power (vv. 6-9), His sovereignty over nations and their plans (vv. 10-12), and His omniscience over all humanity (vv. 13-15). This verse (33:13) sits centrally within a section highlighting God's absolute knowledge of human affairs, directly preceding the declaration that God shapes every heart and understands all deeds (v. 15). The broader context of the psalm contrasts human futility and reliance on earthly strength with the unfailing wisdom, counsel, and power of the LORD. Historically, this declaration likely stood in sharp contrast to the localized, limited deities of surrounding Ancient Near Eastern cultures, emphasizing the universal scope of YHWH's authority and knowledge.
Psalm 33 13 Word analysis
- The LORD: (Hebrew: יְהוָה, YHWH / Yahweh). This is God's covenant name, signifying His eternal, self-existent, and faithful nature. It indicates the personal, active God of Israel who is also the sovereign ruler of the universe.
- looks: (Hebrew: נָבַט, nabat). This verb implies an attentive, fixed gaze, often with a purpose, not merely a fleeting glance. It suggests a deliberate observation, a purposeful and engaged awareness. It denotes more than physical sight; it implies mental consideration and understanding.
- from heaven: (Hebrew: מִשָּׁמַיִם, mi-shamayim). "Heaven" represents God's dwelling place, a realm of transcendence, authority, and ultimate reality, not a limited physical location. "From heaven" signifies God's exalted position and panoramic, unrestricted perspective over all creation, free from earthly limitations or partiality.
- He sees: (Hebrew: רָאָה, ra'ah). This word is a common verb for "to see," but in this context, it reinforces and amplifies nabat. While nabat emphasizes the act of looking with attention, ra'ah highlights the outcome: full comprehension, clear perception, and complete awareness of everything observed. The repetition underscores the certainty and thoroughness of God's knowledge.
- all the sons of men: (Hebrew: כָּל־בְּנֵי הָאָדָם, kol-bene ha'adam). This phrase is an idiom meaning "all humanity," every single human being without exception, regardless of race, status, or location. It emphasizes the universal reach of God's gaze, distinguishing the LORD from localized deities.
- Word-group analysis:
- "The LORD looks... He sees": This pair of verbs emphasizes the profundity and certainty of God's observation. It's not a casual glance but a profound, comprehensive knowledge stemming from His nature.
- "looks from heaven... sees all the sons of men": This combination highlights God's transcendent yet intimately aware nature. His elevated dwelling provides an overarching, complete perspective on all of human existence, every individual, everywhere. It contrasts divine omnipresent knowledge with finite human sight.
Psalm 33 13 Bonus section
The universality of God's gaze ("all the sons of men") is a significant theological point, implying that God's plan and knowledge extend beyond a single nation (Israel) to encompass all peoples. This foreshadows the New Testament revelation of salvation for all nations. It is a polemic against ancient beliefs in localized or limited gods, affirming YHWH's singular, global authority. The parallel structure of verses 13-15 further emphasizes God's total knowledge: He "looks" and "sees" all men (v. 13), He "fashions their hearts individually" and "understands all their deeds" (v. 15). This reinforces that His sight is intricately connected with His creative power and perfect discernment.
Psalm 33 13 Commentary
Psalm 33:13 declares the comprehensive omniscience and universal authority of the LORD. From His transcendent dwelling in heaven, God observes all humanity with perfect clarity and unwavering attention. This seeing is not merely physical perception but a full, intimate understanding of every thought, intention, and action across the entire global population. It contrasts sharply with limited human understanding or the confined domains of pagan deities. For believers, this truth provides comfort and assurance of God's active involvement and care, knowing that He sees their struggles, prayers, and righteous living. Conversely, it serves as a solemn reminder for the unrighteous that nothing is hidden from the divine gaze, ensuring that accountability and justice are inescapable. This verse underscores the foundational truth of God's absolute sovereignty and moral governance over creation.