Psalms 53:2

2 God looked down from the heavens upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

Psalms 53:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 53:2

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men
In ( Psalms 14:2 ) , it is read, "the Lord" or "Jehovah"; in everything else there is an agreement in this verse; (See Gill on Psalms 14:2);

to see if there were [any] that did understand;
the Targum is, "that were understanding" in the law; it doubtless means understanding in divine and spiritual things;

that did seek God;
the above paraphrase is, "seeking doctrine from before the Lord".

Psalms 53:2 In-Context

1 {To the chief Musician. On Mahalath: an instruction. Of David.} The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God! They have corrupted themselves, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

2 God looked down from the heavens upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

3 Every one of them is gone back, they are together become corrupt: there is none that doeth good, not even one.

4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, eating up my people [as] they eat bread? they call not upon God.

5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was; for God scattereth the bones of him that encampeth against thee. Thou hast put [them] to shame, for God hath despised them.