2 Yahweh looked down from heaven on the children of men, To see if there were any who did understand, Who did seek after God.
Yahweh looks from heaven. He sees all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
God saw the earth, and saw that it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God.
Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.
For this people's heart has grown callous, Their ears are dull of hearing, They have closed their eyes; Or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their heart, And should turn again; And I would heal them.'
Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but those who are wise shall understand.
"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
Look down from heaven, and see from the habitation of your holiness and of your glory: where are your zeal and your mighty acts? the yearning of your heart and your compassion is restrained toward me.
Oh that you would tear the heavens, that you would come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence,
Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built.
When the boughs of it are withered, they shall be broken off; the women shall come, and set them on fire; for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he who made them will not have compassion on them, and he who formed them will show them no favor.
When they shall tell you, "Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter:" shouldn't a people consult with their God? on behalf of the living [should they consult] with the dead?
Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path.
Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things. They will consider the loving kindnesses of Yahweh.
A senseless man doesn't know, Neither does a fool understand this:
They don't know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
who sets his heart to seek God, Yahweh, the God of his fathers, though not [cleansed] according to the purification of the sanctuary.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 14
Commentary on Psalms 14 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 14
Ps 14:1-7. The practical atheism and total and universal depravity of the wicked, with their hatred to the good, are set forth. Yet, as they dread God's judgments when He vindicates His people, the Psalmist prays for His delivering power.
1. Sinners are termed "fools," because they think and act contrary to right reason (Ge 34:7; Jos 7:15; Ps 39:8; 74:18, 22).
in his heart—to himself (Ge 6:12).
2. looked—in earnest enquiry.
understand—as opposed to "fool" [Ps 14:1].
3. filthy—literally, "spoiled," or, "soured," "corrupted" (Job 15:16; Ro 3:12).
4-6. Their conduct evinces indifference rather than ignorance of God; for when He appears in judgment, they are stricken with great fear.
who eat up my people—to express their beastly fury (Pr 30:14; Hab 3:14). To "call on the Lord" is to worship Him.
7. captivity—denotes any great evil.
Zion—God's abode, from which He revealed His purposes of mercy, as He now does by the Church (compare Ps 3:4; 20:2), and which He rules and in which He does all other things for the good of His people (Eph 1:22).