Psalms 14:2
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
The LORD looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
American King James Version (AKJV)
The LORD looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Jehovah looked down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there were any that did understand, That did seek after God.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
The Lord was looking down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who had wisdom, searching after God.
Webster's Revision
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
World English Bible
Yahweh looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who did understand, who did seek after God.
English Revised Version (ERV)
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek after God.
Clarke's Psalms 14:2 Bible Commentary
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.
Barnes's Psalms 14:2 Bible Commentary
The Lord looked down from heaven - The original word here - שׁקף shâqaph - conveys the idea of "bending forward," and hence, of an intense and anxious looking, as we bend forward when we wish to examine anything with attention, or when we look out for one who is expected to come. The idea is that God looked intently, or so as to secure a close examination, upon the children of men, for the express purpose of ascertaining whether there were any that were good. He looked at all men; he examined all their pretensions to goodness, and he saw none who could be regarded as exempt from the charge of depravity. Nothing could more clearly prove the doctrine of universal depravity than to say that an Omniscient God made "an express examination" on this very point, that he looked over all the world, and that in the multitudes which passed under the notice of his eye not "one" could be found who could be pronounced righteous. If God could not find such an one, assuredly man cannot.
Upon the children of men - Upon mankind; upon the human race. They are called "children," or "sons" (Hebrew), because they are all the descendants of the man that God created - of Adam. Indeed the original word here is "Adam" - אדם 'âdâm. And it may be questionable whether, since this became in fact a proper name, designating the first man, it would not have been proper to retain the idea in the translation - "the sons of Adam;" that is, all his descendants. The phrase occurs frequently to denote the human race, Deuteronomy 32:8; Psalm 11:4; Psalm 21:10; Psalm 31:19; Psalm 36:7; Psalm 57:4; et soepe.
To see if there were any that did understand - If there were one acting wisely - to wit, in seeking God. "Acting wisely" here stands in contrast with the folly referred to in the first verse. Religion is always represented in the Scriptures as true wisdom.
And seek God - The knowledge of him; his favor and friendship. Wisdom is shown by a "desire" to become acquainted with the being and perfections of God, as well as in the actual possession of that knowledge; and in no way can the true character of man be better determined than by the actual interest which is felt in becoming acquainted with the character of him who made and who governs the universe. It is one of the clearest proofs of human depravity that there is no prevailing desire among people thus to ascertain the character of God.
Wesley's Psalms 14:2 Bible Commentary
14:2 Looked - God knoweth all things without any enquiry: but he speaks after the manner of men. Upon - Upon the whole Israelitish nation, and upon all mankind for he speaks of all except his people, and the righteous ones, who are opposed to these, ver. 4 ,5.