Tree of Life Version
Psalms 53:2
2The fool says in his heart: “There is no God.” They are corrupt, commit vile injustice. There is no one who does good.
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
1For the music director: on Mahalath, a contemplative song of David. The fool says in his heart: “There is no God.” They are corrupt, commit vile injustice. There is no one who does good. 3God looks down from the heavens on the children of men, to see if anyone understands, who seeks after God. 4All have turned aside— together they have become corrupt. There is no one who does good— no, not even one!
Read all of Psalms 53Psalms 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 11:4Adonai is in His holy Temple. Adonai’s throne is in heaven. His eyes are watching. His eyelids observe the children of men.
- Psalms 33:13Adonai looks down from heaven. He observes all humanity.
- Psalms 102:19Let it be written for a generation to come, that a people to be created may praise Adonai.
- Jeremiah 16:17For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity concealed from My eyes.
- Jeremiah 23:24Can anyone hide himself in places so secret that I will not see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth?” It is a declaration of Adonai.
- Psalms 111:10The fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom. All who follow His precepts have good understanding. His praise endures forever!
- Deuteronomy 4:6You must keep and do them, for it is your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the peoples, who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding 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 one, with his nose in the air, never seeks Him. All his thoughts are: “There is no God.”
- Psalms 27:8To You my heart says: “Seek My face.” Your face, Adonai, I seek.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9“Now you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind; for Adonai searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2He went out to meet Asa, and said to him, “Listen to me Asa, all Judah and Benjamin. Adonai is with you as long as you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you. But if you forsake Him, He will spurn you.
- 2 Chronicles 19:3Nevertheless, good things are found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles out of the land and have set your heart to seek God.”
- Isaiah 55:6Seek Adonai while He may be found, call on 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
In the dictionaries
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
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