Psalm 33 14

Psalm 33:14 kjv

From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

Psalm 33:14 nkjv

From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth;

Psalm 33:14 niv

from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth?

Psalm 33:14 esv

from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,

Psalm 33:14 nlt

From his throne he observes
all who live on the earth.

Psalm 33 verses

Psalm 33 14 Meaning

Psalm 33:14 declares God's comprehensive and active awareness of all humanity. From His transcendent and established heavenly abode, He meticulously observes every person and every event on Earth. This verse powerfully underscores God's omniscience, omnipresence (in terms of knowledge), and His universal sovereignty, ensuring that no individual or action escapes His divine gaze and full understanding.

Psalm 33 14 Context

Psalm 33 is a joyful hymn, a call for the righteous to praise the Lord. It exalts God for His faithful Word (v. 4), His righteousness and justice (v. 5), and His powerful act of creation through His Word (v. 6-9). The psalm contrasts the futility of human plans and national powers (v. 10) with the enduring counsel and purpose of God (v. 11). Verses 13-15, which include our focal verse, highlight God's all-encompassing awareness of humanity as the foundation for His sovereign control. This universal knowledge explains why He alone can frustrate human strategies (v. 10) and deliver those who trust in Him (v. 18-19), unlike reliance on human strength (v. 16-17). The verse establishes God's unique and incomparable position of cosmic oversight.

Historically and culturally, in the ancient Near East, kings held limited sway and deities were often confined to specific localities or had limited spheres of influence. Psalm 33:14 delivers a powerful theological statement, countering these views by declaring Yahweh's unparalleled supremacy. His celestial "dwelling" transcends all earthly limitations, giving Him an uninhibited, comprehensive view over the entire world and all its inhabitants. This radical truth underscored to the original audience that the God of Israel was the one, true, sovereign Lord over all peoples and every domain, possessing a divine perspective no other entity could claim.

Psalm 33 14 Word analysis

• מִמְּכוֹן (Mim'khōn): "From the established place of," "from the fixed abode of." This word denotes a firm, settled, and secure base. When used for God, it often refers to His eternal, unshakeable throne or dwelling in the heavens, signifying stability, authority, and an enduring base from which He governs.
• שִׁבְתּוֹ (shivtō): "His dwelling," "His seat," "His abode." In contexts referring to God, it frequently implies His throne (like `kiseh`), representing the locus of His sovereign rule, authority, and ultimate presence. It emphasizes not just a location, but His royal and unmoving enthronement.
• הִשְׁגִּיחַ (hishgiaḥ): "He looked out," "He observed carefully," "He scrutinized." This is the Hiphil stem of the verb `shagach`, which intensifies the action, implying an active, deliberate, and attentive gaze. It means more than simply seeing; it suggests purposeful supervision, vigilant oversight, and careful consideration that naturally leads to appropriate divine action, whether for judgment or blessing.
• עַל (ʿal): "upon," "over." A preposition indicating the direct object and scope of God's intense looking—namely, the earth and its inhabitants.
• כָּל-יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ (kol-yōš'vē hā'āreṣ): "all the inhabitants of the earth." The inclusion of `kol` (all) is emphatic and crucial, highlighting the universal and exhaustive scope of God's observation. It encompasses every single human being, every nation, and every human activity, in every corner of the globe. This phrase reinforces God's unqualified sovereignty and absence of any blind spots, over every aspect of the created human order.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "מִמְּכוֹן שִׁבְתּוֹ" ("From the place of His dwelling"): This phrase profoundly conveys God's transcendence and His fixed, heavenly throne as the source of His power and perspective. It underlines His supreme, unshakeable authority and establishes the ultimate vantage point from which His perfect knowledge flows. He observes not from an earthly throne, but from a cosmic one, emphasizing His majestic separation yet profound involvement.
  • "הִשְׁגִּיחַ עַל כָּל-יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ" ("He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth"): This powerful segment illuminates God's active, meticulous, and universally inclusive scrutiny. It signifies far more than a casual glance; it's a purposeful, careful survey, foundational to His righteous governance over all humanity. His oversight is absolute, leaving no secrets hidden and no events unobserved, preparing the way for both His just judgment and His gracious intervention in human affairs.

Psalm 33 14 Bonus section

• This verse underscores God's distinction from all false gods and limited earthly rulers, who possess neither universal knowledge nor transcendent authority. It reinforces the biblical tenet of Yahweh's uniqueness.
• The concept of God "looking out" carries with it the implication of His action in response to what He sees. It provides theological groundwork for the subsequent verses (e.g., God delivering the righteous, v. 18-19) and other biblical narratives of divine intervention.
• The Hiphil stem of shagach specifically conveys that God causes Himself to look or gives active attention, highlighting His deliberate and unwavering focus on His creation.

Psalm 33 14 Commentary

Psalm 33:14 captures a majestic aspect of God's character: His omniscient and sovereign watchfulness. From His eternal, stable dwelling place—His celestial throne—He exercises active and complete oversight of the entire human race. This divine "looking out" (hishgiaḥ) is not a passive glance but an attentive, scrutinizing gaze, implying deep awareness, intentional engagement, and a basis for righteous judgment or compassionate intervention. This continuous, universal observation highlights that no person, plan, or secret is hidden from His all-knowing eyes. It undergirds His justice, inspires trust in His providence for the righteous, and stands as a constant reminder to all humanity of their accountability to their Creator, whose discernment is perfect and whose reign is total.