Psalm 14:2
The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.
The LORD
The term "LORD" in this context is derived from the Hebrew "YHWH," often vocalized as Yahweh. This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness. In the conservative Christian perspective, this name signifies God's unchanging nature and His sovereign authority over creation. It reminds believers of God's personal relationship with humanity, as He is not a distant deity but one who is intimately involved in the affairs of the world.

looks down from heaven
This phrase illustrates God's omniscience and His transcendent position over creation. The imagery of God looking down from heaven suggests His supreme authority and His ability to see all things clearly. In the Hebrew context, heaven is often seen as God's dwelling place, a realm of purity and holiness. This phrase reassures believers that God is actively observing the world, aware of human actions and intentions, and is not indifferent to the moral state of humanity.

upon the sons of men
The "sons of men" refers to humanity in general, emphasizing the universal scope of God's observation. In Hebrew, "sons of men" (benê 'adam) highlights the frailty and mortality of human beings, contrasting with the eternal nature of God. This phrase serves as a reminder of human dependence on God and the need for divine guidance and wisdom.

to see if any understand
The word "understand" in Hebrew is "maskil," which implies insight, wisdom, and discernment. This phrase suggests that God is searching for those who possess spiritual understanding, who recognize His truth and live according to His will. In a conservative Christian view, this understanding is not merely intellectual but involves a heart aligned with God's purposes, reflecting a life transformed by His Word.

if any seek God
To "seek God" is to pursue a relationship with Him, to desire His presence and guidance. The Hebrew word "darash" conveys a diligent and earnest search, indicating a deep longing for communion with the Creator. This phrase underscores the importance of an active faith, where believers are called to continually seek God's face, striving to know Him more intimately and to align their lives with His will. In the conservative Christian tradition, seeking God is foundational to a vibrant spiritual life, marked by prayer, study of Scripture, and obedience to His commands.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is omniscient and omnipresent, observing humanity from His heavenly throne.

2. Heaven
The divine realm where God resides, symbolizing His authority and perspective over the earth.

3. Sons of Men
A term used to describe humanity in general, emphasizing human nature and the collective behavior of people.

4. Understanding
In the Hebrew context, this refers to wisdom and discernment, particularly in spiritual matters.

5. Seeking God
The act of pursuing a relationship with God, characterized by faith, obedience, and a desire to know Him.
Teaching Points
God's Omniscience
Recognize that God sees and knows all things, including the intentions and actions of every person.

The Call to Seek God
Understand that seeking God is a deliberate and ongoing pursuit, requiring dedication and a heart inclined towards Him.

The Importance of Understanding
Cultivate spiritual wisdom and discernment through prayer, study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

Humanity's Need for God
Acknowledge the inherent sinfulness of humanity and the necessity of God's grace for true understanding and relationship with Him.

Living with Divine Perspective
Strive to live with an awareness of God's perspective, aligning your life with His will and purpose.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the understanding of God's omniscience in Psalm 14:2 affect your daily life and decisions?

2. In what ways can you actively seek God in your current circumstances, and how does this align with Hebrews 11:6?

3. Reflect on a time when you lacked understanding in a situation. How did seeking God provide clarity or wisdom?

4. Considering Romans 3:10-12, how does the universal need for God's grace influence your interactions with others?

5. How can you cultivate a heart that is fully committed to God, as described in 2 Chronicles 16:9, in your personal and spiritual life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 6:5
This verse describes God's observation of human wickedness before the flood, paralleling the divine scrutiny seen in Psalm 14:2.

Romans 3:10-12
Paul references Psalm 14 to emphasize the universal sinfulness of humanity and the need for divine grace.

2 Chronicles 16:9
Highlights God's active search for those who are fully committed to Him, similar to His observation in Psalm 14:2.

Hebrews 11:6
Stresses the importance of faith in seeking God, aligning with the call to seek understanding and God in Psalm 14:2.
A Fool IndeedA. Roberts, M. A.Psalm 14:1-7
An Infidel SilencedA. T. Pierson, D. D.Psalm 14:1-7
AtheismJ. H. Hitchens. D. D.Psalm 14:1-7
Atheisms and AtheismsGeorge Dawson, M. A.Psalm 14:1-7
Belief in the Being of GodR. Palmer, D. D.Psalm 14:1-7
Conflict Between God and the WickedC. Short Psalm 14:1-7
Infidelity IllogicalThe Young ManPsalm 14:1-7
Is There a GodW. R. Graham.Psalm 14:1-7
On the Atheism of the HeartJ. Jamieson, M. A.Psalm 14:1-7
Practical AtheismF. Wayland.Psalm 14:1-7
Practical AtheismS. Charnock, B. D.Psalm 14:1-7
Practical AtheismN. W. Taylor, D. D.Psalm 14:1-7
Religion and MaterialismR. N. Storey, D. D.Psalm 14:1-7
Right Views of God's GovernmentW. Forsyth Psalm 14:1-7
The Being of a GodT. Mortimer.Psalm 14:1-7
The Character Reasonings, and Folly of the FoolGeorge Townsend, M. A.Psalm 14:1-7
The Creed of AtheismD. Merson, M. A.Psalm 14:1-7
The Depravity of a Godless World, Viewed by GodC. Clemance Psalm 14:1-7
The Existence of GodS. Charnock, B. D.Psalm 14:1-7
The Folly and Impiety of InfidelityR. Shittler.Psalm 14:1-7
The Folly and Wretchedness of an Atheistical InclinationJ. Balguy.Psalm 14:1-7
The Folly of AtheismR. South, D. D.Psalm 14:1-7
The Folly of the FoolJ. O. Keen, D. D.Psalm 14:1-7
The Fool's Denial of God's ExistenceJohn N. Norton.Psalm 14:1-7
The Heart Speech of a FoolF. Tucker, B. A.Psalm 14:1-7
The Moral Condition of MankindHomilistPsalm 14:1-7
The Practical AtheistJ. J. Stewart Perowne, B. D.Psalm 14:1-7
The Practical Denial of God the Root of All EvilA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 14:1-7
The Unreasonableness and Mischief of AtheismW. Talbot, D. D.Psalm 14:1-7
The Withered HeartJoseph Parker, D. D.Psalm 14:1-7
Theoretical AtheismF. Wayland.Psalm 14:1-7
People
David, Jacob, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Act, Forth, Heaven, Heavens, Looks, Searching, Seek, Seeking, Sons, Understand, Understanding, Wisdom, Wise, Wisely
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 14:2

     8160   seeking God
     8355   understanding

Psalm 14:1-2

     8779   materialism, nature of

Psalm 14:1-3

     5004   human race, and sin
     6023   sin, universality

Psalm 14:1-4

     8616   prayerlessness

Psalm 14:2-3

     2233   Son of Man
     8741   failure

Library
Are You Mocked?
"Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge."--Psalm 14:6. GOD'S Word divides the whole human race into two portions. There is the seed of the serpent, and the seed of the woman--the children of God, and the children of the devil--those who are by nature still what they always were, and those who have been begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. There are many distinctions among men, but they are not much more than surface-deep.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916

Letter Xliii a Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey.
A Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. There is no reason to mourn a son as lost who is a religious, still less to fear for his delicacy of constitution. 1. If God makes your son His son also, what do you lose or what does he himself lose? Being rich he becomes richer; being already high born, of still nobler lineage; being illustrious, he gains greater renown; and--what is more than all--once a sinner he is now a saint. He must be prepared for the Kingdom that has been prepared for him
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Knowledge of God Stifled or Corrupted, Ignorantly or Maliciously.
1. The knowledge of God suppressed by ignorance, many falling away into superstition. Such persons, however, inexcusable, because their error is accompanied with pride and stubbornness. 2. Stubbornness the companion of impiety. 3. No pretext can justify superstition. This proved, first, from reason; and, secondly, from Scripture. 4. The wicked never willingly come into the presence of God. Hence their hypocrisy. Hence, too, their sense of Deity leads to no good result. 1. But though experience testifies
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Luther's Fourth Preface
To Valentine Bapst's Hymn-book, Leipzig, 1545. The xcvi Psalm saith: "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth." The service of God in the old dispensation, under the law of Moses, was hard and wearisome. Many and divers sacrifices had men to offer, of all that they possessed, both in house and in field, which the people, being idle and covetous, did grudgingly or for some temporal advantage; as the prophet Malachi saith, chap. i., "who is there even among you that would shut
Leonard Woolsey Bacon—The Hymns of Martin Luther

Communion Broken --Restoration
Cant. ii. 8-iii.5 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest happly we drift away from them."--Heb. ii. 1 (R.V.). At the close of the first section we left the bride satisfied and at rest in the arms of her Beloved, who had charged the daughters of Jerusalem not to stir up nor awaken His love until she please. We might suppose that a union so complete, a satisfaction so full, would never be interrupted by failure on the part of the happy bride. But, alas,
J. Hudson Taylor—Union and Communion

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers

Second Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 12, 6-16. 6 And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 7 or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; 8 or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting; he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Of the Way to Attain Divine Union
Of the way to attain Divine Union It is impossible to attain Divine Union solely by the activity of meditation, or by the meltings of the affections, or even by the highest degree of luminous and distinctly-comprehended prayer. There are many reasons for this, the chief of which are as follow:-- First, According to Scripture "no man shall see God and live" (Exod. xxxiii. 20). Now all the exercises of discursive prayer, and even of active contemplation, while esteemed as the summit and end of the
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Exegetic.
(i) As of the De Spiritu Sancto, so of the Hexæmeron, no further account need be given here. It may, however, be noted that the Ninth Homily ends abruptly, and the latter, and apparently more important, portion of the subject is treated of at less length than the former. Jerome [472] and Cassiodorus [473] speak of nine homilies only on the creation. Socrates [474] says the Hexæmeron was completed by Gregory of Nyssa. Three orations are published among Basil's works, two on the creation
Basil—Basil: Letters and Select Works

Perhaps There is no Book Within the Whole Canon of Scripture So Perplexing and Anomalous...
Perhaps there is no book within the whole canon of Scripture so perplexing and anomalous, at first sight, as that entitled "Ecclesiastes." Its terrible hopelessness, its bold expression of those difficulties with which man is surrounded on every side, the apparent fruitlessness of its quest after good, the unsatisfactory character, from a Christian standpoint, of its conclusion: all these points have made it, at one and the same time, an enigma to the superficial student of the Word, and the arsenal
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs

For which Cause Our Lord Himself Also with his Own Mouth Saith...
4. For which cause our Lord Himself also with His own mouth saith, "Cleanse what are within, and what are without will be clean." [1813] And, also, in another place, when He was refuting the foolish speeches of the Jews, in that they spake evil against His disciples, eating with unwashen hands; "Not what entereth into the mouth," said He, "defileth the man: but what cometh forth out of the mouth, that defileth the man." [1814] Which sentence, if the whole of it be taken of the mouth of the body,
St. Augustine—On Continence

Excursus on Usury.
The famous canonist Van Espen defines usury thus: "Usura definitur lucrum ex mutuo exactum aut speratum;" [96] and then goes on to defend the proposition that, "Usury is forbidden by natural, by divine, and by human law. The first is proved thus. Natural law, as far as its first principles are concerned, is contained in the decalogue; but usury is prohibited in the decalogue, inasmuch as theft is prohibited; and this is the opinion of the Master of the Sentences, of St. Bonaventura, of St. Thomas
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. "
Deut. xxxii. 5.--"They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation." We doubt this people would take well with such a description of themselves as Moses gives. It might seem strange to us, that God should have chosen such a people out of all the nations of the earth, and they to be so rebellious and perverse, if our own experience did not teach us how free his choice is, and how long-suffering he is, and constant in his choice.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

But Concerning True Patience, Worthy of the Name of this virtue...
12. But concerning true patience, worthy of the name of this virtue, whence it is to be had, must now be inquired. For there are some [2650] who attribute it to the strength of the human will, not which it hath by Divine assistance, but which it hath of free-will. Now this error is a proud one: for it is the error of them which abound, of whom it is said in the Psalm, "A scornful reproof to them which abound, and a despising to the proud." [2651] It is not therefore that "patience of the poor" which
St. Augustine—On Patience

The Manifestation of Holy Love.
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us." --1 John iv. 16. The question which now presents itself is: In what way is the divine, majestic act of making man a partaker of true love accomplished? We answer that this is-- 1. Prepared by the Father in Creation. 2. Made possible by the Son in Redemption. 3. Effectually accomplished by the Holy Spirit in Sanctification. There is in this respect, first a work of the Father, which the Heidelberg Catechism designates, "Of God the Father
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 13, 8-10. 8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; love therefore is the fulfilment of the law. CHRISTIAN LOVE AND THE COMMAND TO LOVE. 1. This, like the two
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Second Sunday Before Lent
Text: Second Corinthians 11, 19-33; 12, 1-9. 19 For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves. 20 For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face. 21 I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Second Sunday after Easter
Text: First Peter 2, 20-25. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

The Being of God
Q-III: WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES PRINCIPALLY TEACH? A: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Q-IV: WHAT IS GOD? A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Here is, 1: Something implied. That there is a God. 2: Expressed. That he is a Spirit. 3: What kind of Spirit? I. Implied. That there is a God. The question, What is God? takes for granted that there
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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