Discovery BoxPsalms 10:4
Context10:4 The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks,
“God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.” 1
Psalms 14:2
Context14:2 The Lord looks down from heaven 2 at the human race, 3
to see if there is anyone who is wise 4 and seeks God. 5
Psalms 53:2
Context53:2 God looks down from heaven 6 at the human race, 7
to see if there is anyone who is wise 8 and seeks God. 9
Romans 3:11
Context3:11 there is no one who understands,
there is no one who seeks God.
[10:4] 1 tn Heb “the wicked [one], according to the height of his nose, he does not seek, there is no God, all his thoughts.” The phrase “height of his nose” probably refers to an arrogant or snooty attitude; it likely pictures one with his nose turned upward toward the sky in pride. One could take the “wicked” as the subject of the negated verb “seek,” in which case the point is that the wicked do not “seek” God. The translation assumes that this statement, along with “there is no God,” is what the wicked man thinks to himself. In this case God is the subject of the verb “seek,” and the point is that God will not hold the wicked man accountable for his actions. Verse 13 strongly favors this interpretation. The statement “there is no God” is not a philosophical assertion that God does not exist, but rather a confident affirmation that he is unconcerned about how men live morally and ethically (see v. 11).
[14:2] 2 sn The picture of the
[14:2] 3 tn Heb “upon the sons of man.”
[14:2] 4 tn Or “acts wisely.” The Hiphil is exhibitive.
[14:2] 5 sn Anyone who is wise and seeks God refers to the person who seeks to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him.
[53:2] 6 sn The picture of the
[53:2] 7 tn Heb “upon the sons of man.”
[53:2] 8 tn Or “acts wisely.” The Hiphil is exhibitive.
[53:2] 9 tn That is, who seeks to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him.
