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

1Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.” They sin and commit evil deeds; none of them does what is right. God looks down from heaven at the human race, to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God. 3Everyone rejects God; they are all morally corrupt. None of them does what is right, not even one! 4All those who behave wickedly do not understand – those who devour my people as if they were eating bread, and do not call out 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; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his eyes examine all people.
• Psalms 33:13The Lord watches from heaven; he sees all people.
• Psalms 102:19For he will look down from his sanctuary above; from heaven the Lord will look toward earth,
• Jeremiah 16:17For I see everything they do. Their wicked ways are not hidden from me. Their sin is not hidden away where I cannot see it.
• Jeremiah 23:24“Do you really think anyone can hide himself where I cannot see him?” the Lord asks. “Do you not know that I am everywhere?” the Lord asks.
• Psalms 111:10To obey the Lord is the fundamental principle for wise living; all who carry out his precepts acquire good moral insight. He will receive praise forever.
• Deuteronomy 4:6So be sure to do them, because this will testify of your wise understanding to the people who will learn of all these statutes and say, “Indeed, this great nation is a very wise people.”
• Job 28:28And he said to mankind, ‘The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
• Psalms 10:4The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks, “God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.”
• Psalms 27:8My heart tells me to pray to you, and I do pray to you, O Lord.
• 1 Chronicles 28:9“And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently.
• 2 Chronicles 15:2He met Asa and told him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin! The Lord is with you when you are loyal to him. If you seek him, he will respond to you, but if you reject him, he will reject you.
• 2 Chronicles 19:3Nevertheless you have done some good things; you removed the Asherah poles from the land and you were determined to follow the Lord.”
• Isaiah 55:6Seek the Lord while he makes himself available; call to him while he is nearby!

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