Bible Strands
Psalms 14:2
The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David, in a psalm for the choirmaster, shifts from describing the fool's denial to narrating God's search. The moment is a pause between two universal claims of corruption, asking whether any exception exists.
The words — הִשְׁקִיף (hish.Kif), "he looks down," is a hiphil form of שׁקף, carrying the sense of peering down from a height, as one who is above surveys what is below.
The thread — Paul quotes the negative answer in Romans 3:11 ("no one who understands, no one who seeks God"), and Psalms 33:13 echoes the same image of the LORD looking down from heaven.
Why it lands — The verse poses a question it never answers, leaving the reader in the gap between the universal "no one" of verses 1 and 3 and the possibility that God is still looking. It asks the reader to answer for themselves whether they are the exception.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
Cross-references
- Romans 3:11 There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
- Psalms 33:13 The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.
- Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
- Psalms 102:19 For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary; the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth
- Genesis 6:12 And God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creatures on the earth had corrupted their ways.
- Matthew 13:15 For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
- 2 Chronicles 19:3 However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”
- Daniel 12:10 Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.
- Psalms 82:5 They do not know or understand; they wander in the darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
- Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.