Psalms 14 · Verse 2

Psalms 14:2

The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
Psalms 14:2, King James Version

Psalms 14:2 in other translations

BSBThe LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.
WEBThe LORD looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who understood, who sought after God.
ASVJehovah looked down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there were any that did understand, That did seek after God.
YLTJehovah from the heavens Hath looked on the sons of men, To see if there is a wise one--seeking God.
DARBYJehovah looked down from the heavens upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
BBEThe Lord was looking down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who had wisdom, searching after God.
WebsterThe LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

What does Psalms 14:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. looked--in earnest enquiry. understand--as opposed to "fool" [Psa 14:1].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 The Lord looked down from heaven - Words spoken after the manner of men. From this glorious eminence God is represented as looking down upon the habitable globe, to see if there were any that did understand that there was a Supreme Being, the governor and judge of men; and, in consequence, seek God for his mercy, support, and defense.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Psalms 14:2 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

יְֽהוָ֗הYah.wehYahwehH3068
מִשָּׁמַיִם֮mi.sha.ma.Yimfrom heavenH8064
הִשְׁקִ֪יףhish.Kifhe looks downH8259
עַֽל\־'al-onH5921
בְּנֵי\־be.nei-[the] children ofH1121
אָ֫דָ֥ם'a.DamhumankindH120
לִ֭רְאוֹתLir.'otto seeH7200
הֲיֵ֣שׁha.Yesh¿ [is] thereH3426
מַשְׂכִּ֑ילmas.Kil[one who] acts prudentlyH7919
דֹּ֝רֵשׁDo.resh[one who] seeksH1875
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
אֱלֹהִֽים\׃'E.lo.HimGodH430

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 14:2

  • Romans 3:11

    There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

  • Hebrews 11:6

    But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

  • Psalms 33:13-14

    The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

  • Psalms 102:19-20

    For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;

  • Genesis 6:12

    And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

  • Matthew 13:15

    For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

  • Daniel 12:10

    Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

  • 2 Chronicles 19:3

    Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

  • Isaiah 55:6

    Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

  • Psalms 82:5

    They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

  • Proverbs 9:16

    Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

  • Proverbs 2:9

    Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
The Lord.
33:13,14; 102:19,20; Ge 6:12; 11:5; 18:21; Isa 63:15; 64:1; La 3:50
any.
82:5; 107:43; Pr 2:9; 8:5; 9:4,16; Isa 27:11; Jer 4:22; Da 12:10
Mt 13:15; Ro 3:11
seek.
69:32; 2Ch 19:3; 30:19; Isa 8:19; 55:6; Heb 11:6

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 14:1

    To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

  • Psalms 14:2

    The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

  • Psalms 14:3

    They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Read all of Psalms 14

Psalms 14:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Jehová miró desde los cielos sobre los hijos de los hombres, por ver si había algún entendido, que buscara á Dios.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
L’ Éternel a regardé des cieux sur les fils des hommes, pour voir s’il y a quelqu’un qui soit intelligent, qui recherche Dieu:
German
Elberfelder 1871
Jehova hat vom Himmel herniedergeschaut auf die Menschenkinder, um zu sehen, ob ein Verständiger da sei, einer, der Gott suche.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Qui ingreditur sine macula, et operatur justitiam;