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

1A fool thinks that there is no God. People like that are bad. They do evil things. None of them does anything that is good. God looks down from heaven at the people on earth. He wants to see if there is anyone who is really wise and who wants to know God. 3But they have all turned away. They have all become evil. Nobody does anything that is good, not even one person. 4People who do wicked things understand nothing. They destroy my people as easily as they eat bread. They never pray to 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. He rules from his throne in heaven. He carefully watches what people are doing. He knows about each person.
• Psalms 33:13The Lord looks down from heaven. He sees every man, woman and child.
• Psalms 102:19Tell them that the Lord looked down from his home in heaven. He saw what was happening on the earth.
• Jeremiah 16:17I am watching them carefully all the time. They cannot hide from me. I can see all their sins.
• Jeremiah 23:24Do you think you can hide in a place where I cannot see you? You should know that I am everywhere, in the heavens above and on the earth.’ That is what the Lord says.
• Psalms 111:10If you want to live in a wise way, respect and obey the Lord. Everyone who lives in the way that he teaches will understand what is right. People should praise the Lord for ever!
• Deuteronomy 4:6Obey them carefully. That will show people of other nations that you are wise. They will hear about all your laws. Then they will say, ‘The people of this great nation are very wise and clever!’
• Job 28:28God said this to us humans: “If you want to be wise, learn to respect the Lord with fear. If you want to understand things properly, turn away from evil acts.” ’
• Psalms 10:4Wicked people are too proud to worry about God. They think, ‘God will not give me any trouble.’
• Psalms 27:8I have heard you say to me, ‘Come near to me.’ So I will come and pray to you, Lord.
• 1 Chronicles 28:9As for you, Solomon, my son, keep near to your father's God. Be happy to serve him faithfully in every way. The Lord knows what you are thinking. He understands all your thoughts. If you turn to him, you will find him. But if you turn away from him, he will leave you alone for ever.
• 2 Chronicles 15:2Azariah went to meet King Asa. He said to him, ‘Listen to me Asa and all you people of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The Lord will be with you while you are faithful to him. If you ask him for help, he will answer you. But if you turn away from him, he will turn away from you.
• 2 Chronicles 19:3But you have done some good things. You have removed the Asherah poles from Judah's land. You have chosen to serve God.’
• Isaiah 55:6Come to serve the Lord now, while he lets you find him. Call out to him for help, while he is near you.

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