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Psalms 14:2
Verse
Context
The Fool Says There Is No God
1The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. 2The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. 3All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The second tristich appeals to the infallible decision of God Himself. The verb השׁקיף means to look forth, by bending one's self forward. It is the proper word for looking out of a window, Kg2 9:30 (cf. Niph. Jdg 5:28, and frequently), and for God's looking down from heaven upon the earth, Psa 102:20, and frequently; and it is cognate and synonymous with השׁגּיח, Psa 33:13, Psa 33:14; cf. moreover, Sol 2:9. The perf. is used in the sense of the perfect only insofar as the divine survey is antecedent to its result as given in Psa 14:3. Just as השׁהיתוּ reminds one of the history of the Flood, so does לראות of the history of the building of the tower of Babel, Gen 11:5, cf. Psa 18:21. God's judgment rests upon a knowledge of the matter of fact, which is represented in such passages after the manner of men. God's all-seeing, all-piercing eyes scrutinise the whole human race. Is there one who shows discernment in thought and act, one to whom fellowship with God is the highest good, and consequently that after which he strives? - this is God's question, and He delights in such persons, and certainly none such would escape His longing search. On את־אלהים, τὸν Θεόν, vid., Ges. 117, 2.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
looked--in earnest enquiry. understand--as opposed to "fool" [Psa 14:1].
John Gill Bible Commentary
The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men,.... As he did when all flesh had corrupted its way, and before he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly, Gen 6:12. This is said in direct opposition to the atheistic thoughts and reasonings of wicked men, in Psa 14:1. There is a God, and he takes notice of the children of men, and of what is done by them; though his throne is in the heavens, and his dwelling there, yet he looks down from thence, and takes cognizance of all human affairs. This must be understood consistent with the omniscience and omnipresence of God; it is an anthropopathy, or a speaking after the manner of men; and denotes the exact notice which God takes, and distinct observation he makes, and the perfect and accurate knowledge he has of men and their actions; see Gen 11:5; to see if there were any that did understand: not things natural, civil, and moral, but things spiritual as the Apostle Paul interprets the words, Rom 3:11. For though man has not lost the natural faculty of his understanding, and may have an understanding of the things of nature, yet not of the things of God, until a supernatural light is put into him; not any spiritual experimental knowledge of God in Christ, nor of the way of salvation by Christ, nor of the work of the Spirit of God upon the heart, nor of the doctrines of the Gospel, nor any true sight and sense of his own state and condition; and seek God; that is, "after God"; as the apostle in the same place explains it; after the knowledge of him and his ways, and communion with him; after the things of God, his interest and his glory: they do not seek after him in prayer, or by an attendance on his worship and ordinances; at least with their whole hearts, earnestly, diligently, constantly, and in the first place; nor do they seek after him in Christ, where he is only to be found; nor under the influence, and with the assistance of the blessed Spirit.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
14:2-3 From heaven (33:13; 80:14; 102:19), the Lord sees the wicked, who stand out as vile sinners (11:3-5). The entire human race lacks wisdom and fails to live up to the glory originally given to them (10:4-11; see Rom 1–3).
Psalms 14:2
The Fool Says There Is No God
1The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. 2The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. 3All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Q+a Toronto Blessing
By George Verwer1.0K30:20Toronto BlessingPSA 14:2PSA 123:1MAT 28:19ACT 2:44COL 1:271TI 3:161PE 2:2In this sermon, the speaker, Benny, emphasizes the importance of being slow to speak negatively about any child of God. He encourages speaking out against extremism without mentioning specific names. Benny believes that the basics of the Christian faith, such as preaching the gospel and seeing people saved, are radical and should be the focus of believers. He also highlights the need for divine intervention in missions giving and the decline of British missionaries. Overall, Benny urges listeners to build on their faith and represent Jesus in their lives.
Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve
By Keith Daniel95144:20PSA 10:4PSA 14:2HOS 7:7JOL 3:14ACT 17:30ROM 6:23ROM 8:16PHP 4:7HEB 9:271JN 5:10This sermon emphasizes the urgency of seeking God and making a decision for Christ, warning about the consequences of delaying repentance and the reality of judgment. It shares powerful testimonies of individuals facing life-altering choices and the impact of their decisions on their eternal destiny. The message calls for immediate action, highlighting the importance of surrendering to God and choosing salvation through Jesus Christ.
Power of Prayer
By K.P. Yohannan44824:57PrayerGEN 22:13PSA 14:2ISA 59:16JER 5:1EZK 22:30MAT 6:331TI 2:1In this video, KP Johanin encourages believers to prioritize prayer and seeking God's face in the midst of societal and economic crises. He shares a powerful testimony of a prayer meeting where 1800 people gathered to intercede for their children, future, nation, and society. Johanin highlights the need for believers to have a deep knowledge of the living God, emphasizing that this is the crisis in the church today. He concludes by sharing the importance of seeking God above all else and allowing Him to transform lives and bear fruit that remains.
On Eagles' Wings Pt 155
By Don Courville31728:27Radio ShowPSA 14:2ISA 11:1MAT 6:33MRK 12:28In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding and seeking God. He refers to Psalm 14:2, where it is stated that the Lord looks down from heaven to see if there are any who understand and seek Him. The preacher then uses the story of the woman at the well in John 4 as an example of how understanding and seeking God can lead to life transformation and the ability to impact others for Christ. He also mentions another illustration in John 8, highlighting the need to understand how to set people free and bring them to Jesus. The sermon concludes with a challenge to examine one's own heart and cultivate the spirit of understanding in order to minister effectively to those around us.
The Angel in Amsterdam
By Walter Beuttler0PSA 14:2Walter Beuttler preaches about the divine mission's committee meeting of the Godhead, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit seek the right person to do their will and build their kingdom. He emphasizes the importance of being committed and understanding God's desires, highlighting the need for true intercessors who are willing to give themselves to prayer and ministry. Beuttler shares personal experiences of divine guidance and the impact of a timely word of encouragement, stressing the significance of upholding and supporting those in need. He challenges listeners to consider God's call for specific individuals to perform His work in extraordinary ways.
The Scripture View of the Present State of Man
By Thomas Reade0PSA 14:2JER 17:9MAT 7:24MAT 15:8MRK 7:20LUK 6:46ROM 2:61CO 3:13HEB 4:12REV 2:23Thomas Reade preaches about the sinful state of man as depicted in the Scriptures, emphasizing the necessity of divine illumination and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand and acknowledge our wretched condition. The sermon highlights the importance of an inward change of heart and the deceitful nature of the human heart, as described by various prophets and Jesus himself. It calls for humility, self-examination, and a deep desire for God's transformative work in our lives, stressing the need to love the Lord wholeheartedly and seek a radical change from within.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The second tristich appeals to the infallible decision of God Himself. The verb השׁקיף means to look forth, by bending one's self forward. It is the proper word for looking out of a window, Kg2 9:30 (cf. Niph. Jdg 5:28, and frequently), and for God's looking down from heaven upon the earth, Psa 102:20, and frequently; and it is cognate and synonymous with השׁגּיח, Psa 33:13, Psa 33:14; cf. moreover, Sol 2:9. The perf. is used in the sense of the perfect only insofar as the divine survey is antecedent to its result as given in Psa 14:3. Just as השׁהיתוּ reminds one of the history of the Flood, so does לראות of the history of the building of the tower of Babel, Gen 11:5, cf. Psa 18:21. God's judgment rests upon a knowledge of the matter of fact, which is represented in such passages after the manner of men. God's all-seeing, all-piercing eyes scrutinise the whole human race. Is there one who shows discernment in thought and act, one to whom fellowship with God is the highest good, and consequently that after which he strives? - this is God's question, and He delights in such persons, and certainly none such would escape His longing search. On את־אלהים, τὸν Θεόν, vid., Ges. 117, 2.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
looked--in earnest enquiry. understand--as opposed to "fool" [Psa 14:1].
John Gill Bible Commentary
The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men,.... As he did when all flesh had corrupted its way, and before he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly, Gen 6:12. This is said in direct opposition to the atheistic thoughts and reasonings of wicked men, in Psa 14:1. There is a God, and he takes notice of the children of men, and of what is done by them; though his throne is in the heavens, and his dwelling there, yet he looks down from thence, and takes cognizance of all human affairs. This must be understood consistent with the omniscience and omnipresence of God; it is an anthropopathy, or a speaking after the manner of men; and denotes the exact notice which God takes, and distinct observation he makes, and the perfect and accurate knowledge he has of men and their actions; see Gen 11:5; to see if there were any that did understand: not things natural, civil, and moral, but things spiritual as the Apostle Paul interprets the words, Rom 3:11. For though man has not lost the natural faculty of his understanding, and may have an understanding of the things of nature, yet not of the things of God, until a supernatural light is put into him; not any spiritual experimental knowledge of God in Christ, nor of the way of salvation by Christ, nor of the work of the Spirit of God upon the heart, nor of the doctrines of the Gospel, nor any true sight and sense of his own state and condition; and seek God; that is, "after God"; as the apostle in the same place explains it; after the knowledge of him and his ways, and communion with him; after the things of God, his interest and his glory: they do not seek after him in prayer, or by an attendance on his worship and ordinances; at least with their whole hearts, earnestly, diligently, constantly, and in the first place; nor do they seek after him in Christ, where he is only to be found; nor under the influence, and with the assistance of the blessed Spirit.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
14:2-3 From heaven (33:13; 80:14; 102:19), the Lord sees the wicked, who stand out as vile sinners (11:3-5). The entire human race lacks wisdom and fails to live up to the glory originally given to them (10:4-11; see Rom 1–3).