Psalms 53:2

2 God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who 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. Set to 'Mahalath.' A Contemplation of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

3 Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.

4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call upon God?

5 There they are in great fear Where no fear was, For God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you; You have put them to shame, Because God has despised them.