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

PSALMS 14:2KJV
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Psalms 14:2 (KJV)

What does Psalms 14:2 mean?

Psalms 14:2 pictures the LORD surveying humanity from heaven to see whether anyone has sound understanding and seeks God. The psalmist describes God examining human conduct, following the description of human corruption in verse 1.

The key word is “understand” — מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil). The word describes someone who shows insight or acts wisely. Here, understanding is more than having knowledge: the sentence places the person who understands alongside the person who seeks God. The LORD is looking for wisdom expressed in a person’s orientation toward God.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 14:2

  • “LORD” — יְהוָה (YHWH, commonly rendered Yahweh): This is God’s personal name, represented in the KJV by “LORD” in capital letters. The psalmist identifies the one surveying humanity as Israel’s God.

  • “down” — הִשְׁקִיף (hishqif): The Hebrew verb means “looked down” or “looked out,” especially from a height. The KJV’s “looked down” expresses that whole action. Together with “from heaven,” the verb presents the LORD as an observer surveying the human world below.

  • “children” — בְּנֵי (bene); “men” — אָדָם (adam): Together these words mean “human beings” or “humankind.” “Children of men” is a Hebrew way of speaking about the human family, not specifically about young children. The scope of the LORD’s examination is humanity.

  • “seek” — דֹּרֵשׁ (doresh); “God” — אֱלֹהִים (elohim): “Seek” can mean to search for, inquire of, or turn to someone for guidance. Here, God is the one being sought. The question concerns whether anyone actively turns toward God and takes him into account.

Why Psalms 14:2 matters

  • The verse moves from human claims to divine examination. Verse 1 describes the fool saying, “There is no God.” Verse 2 pictures the LORD himself looking over humanity and assessing its condition.

  • The question prepares for the finding in verse 3. “To see if there were any” introduces the search; the next verse answers with the sweeping judgment that all have turned aside. Verse 2 establishes the examination behind that judgment.

Where else these words appear

“down” Hebrew H8259 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
  • Judges 5:28 The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?
  • Psalms 53:2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

“understand” Hebrew H7919 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
  • Psalms 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
  • Proverbs 21:12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

“there” Hebrew H3426 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 18:24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
  • 1 Samuel 21:8 And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.
  • Psalms 135:17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.