Psalms 53:2

Psalms 53:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
• New International Version (NIV)God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
• English Standard Version (ESV)God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

Context of Psalms 53:2

1The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God. 3All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one. 4Will evildoers never understand? They consume my people as they consume bread; they do not call on God.

Psalms 53:2 word by word

אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים מִשָּׁמַיִם֮ הִשְׁקִ֪יף עַֽל־בְּנֵ֫י אָדָ֥ם לִ֭רְאוֹת הֲיֵ֣שׁ מַשְׂכִּ֑יל דֹּ֝רֵ֗שׁ אֶת־אֱלֹהִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• looked downשָׁקַףshâqaph · to lookH8259
• from heavenשָׁמַיִםshâmayim shâmeh · heavenH8064
• upon the childrenבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
• of menאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• to seeרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• if there wereיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• that did understandשָׂכַלώâkal · be prudentH7919
• that did seekדָּרַשׁdârash · to seekH1875

Cross-references for Psalms 53:2

• Psalms 11:4The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord—his throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his gaze examines everyone.
• Psalms 33:13The Lord looks down from heaven; he observes everyone.
• Psalms 102:19He looked down from his holy heights — the Lord gazed out from heaven to earth —
• Jeremiah 16:17for my gaze takes in all their ways. They are not concealed from me, and their iniquity is not hidden from my sight.
• Jeremiah 23:24Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” — the Lord’s declaration. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” — the Lord’s declaration.
• Psalms 111:10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever.
• Deuteronomy 4:6Carefully follow them, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the peoples. When they hear about all these statutes, they will say, ‘This great nation is indeed a wise and understanding people.’
• Job 28:28He said to mankind, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.”
• Psalms 10:4In all his scheming, the wicked person arrogantly thinks, “There’s no accountability, since there’s no God.”
• Psalms 27:8My heart says this about you: “Seek his face.” Lord, I will seek your face.
• 1 Chronicles 28:9“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.
• 2 Chronicles 15:2So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Asa and all Judah and Benjamin, hear me. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will abandon you.
• 2 Chronicles 19:3However, some good is found in you, for you have eradicated the Asherah poles from the land and have determined in your heart to seek God.”
• Isaiah 55:6Seek the Lord while he may be found; call to him while he is near.

Commentaries on Psalms 53:2

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2God looked down from heaven … - See the notes at Psalm 14:2. The only change which occurs in this verse is the substitution of the word אלהים 'Elohiym rendered “God,” for “Yahweh,” rendered Lord, in Psalm 14:2. The same change occurs also in Psalm 14:4, Psalm 14:6. It is to be observed, also, that the word “Yahweh” does not occur in this psalm, but that the term used is uniformly. אלהים 'Elohiym God. In Psalm 14:1-7 both terms are found - the word אלהים…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-3Paul uses the Greek translation of this passage to describe the moral corruption of all people (Romans 3:10–12).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-61-4. with few verbal changes, correspond with Psa 14:1-4.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 53:2

• Depravity of Man
• Godlessness
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Mahalath Maschil
• Music, Instrumental
• Psalms
• Mahalath
• Psalms, Book of
• Song
• Maschil

Commentaries on Psalms 53

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings