Psa 14:2 | KD | STEP | The second tristich appeals to the infallible decision of God Himself. The verb השׁקיף means to look forth, by bending one’s self forward. It is the proper word for looking out of a window, 2Ki 9:30 (cf. Niph . Jdg 5:28, and frequently), and for God’s looking down from heaven upon the earth, , and frequently; and it is cognate and synonymous with השׁגּיח, , ; cf. moreover, Sol 2:9. The perf . is used in the sense of the perfect only insofar as the divine survey is antecedent to its result as given in Psa 14:3. Just as השׁהיתוּ reminds one of the history of the Flood, so does לראות of the history of the building of the tower of Babel, , cf. Psa 18:21. God’s judgment rests upon a knowledge of the matter of fact, which is represented in such passages after the manner of men. God’s all-seeing, all-piercing eyes scrutinise the whole human race. Is there one who shows discernment in thought and act, one to whom fellowship with God is the highest good, and consequently that after which he strives? - this is God’s question, and He delights in such persons, and certainly none such would escape His longing search. On את־אלהים, τὸν Θεόν, vid., Ges. §117, 2.

‏ Psalms 14:2

The second tristich appeals to the infallible decision of God Himself. The verb השׁקיף means to look forth, by bending one’s self forward. It is the proper word for looking out of a window, 2Ki 9:30 (cf. Niph. Jdg 5:28, and frequently), and for God’s looking down from heaven upon the earth, Psa 102:20, and frequently; and it is cognate and synonymous with השׁגּיח, Psa 33:13, Psa 33:14; cf. moreover, Sol 2:9. The perf. is used in the sense of the perfect only insofar as the divine survey is antecedent to its result as given in Psa 14:3. Just as השׁהיתוּ reminds one of the history of the Flood, so does לראות of the history of the building of the tower of Babel, Gen 11:5, cf. Psa 18:21. God’s judgment rests upon a knowledge of the matter of fact, which is represented in such passages after the manner of men. God’s all-seeing, all-piercing eyes scrutinise the whole human race. Is there one who shows discernment in thought and act, one to whom fellowship with God is the highest good, and consequently that after which he strives? - this is God’s question, and He delights in such persons, and certainly none such would escape His longing search. On את־אלהים, τὸν Θεόν, vid., Ges. §117, 2.