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

1Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. 3But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! 4Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying 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 11:4But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.
• Psalms 33:13The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race.
• Psalms 102:19Tell them the Lord looked down from his heavenly sanctuary. He looked down to earth from heaven
• Jeremiah 16:17I am watching them closely, and I see every sin. They cannot hope to hide from me.
• Jeremiah 23:24Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord.
• Psalms 111:10Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!
• Deuteronomy 4:6Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’
• Job 28:28And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’”
• Psalms 10:4The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.
• Psalms 27:8My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
• 1 Chronicles 28:9“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
• 2 Chronicles 15:2and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.
• 2 Chronicles 19:3Even so, there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles throughout the land, and you have committed yourself to seeking God.”
• Isaiah 55:6Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now 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