King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
Complete Jewish Bible:
For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven ADONAI surveys the earth
Berean Standard Bible:
For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary; the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth
American Standard Version:
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did Jehovah behold the earth;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
For he hath looked down{H8259} from the height{H4791} of his sanctuary{H6944}; from heaven{H8064} did the LORD{H3068} behold{H5027} the earth{H776};
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 26:15
- Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
Psalms 14:2
- The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, [and] seek God.
2 Chronicles 16:9
- For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of [them] whose heart [is] perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Psalms 33:13
- The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
Psalms 33:14
- From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
Hebrews 9:23
- ¶ [It was] therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Hebrews 9:24
- For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
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Commentary for Psalms 102:19
Psalm 102:19 is part of a lament psalm, traditionally attributed to an individual pouring out their sorrow before God. The verse reflects a profound theological perspective that emphasizes God's sovereignty and transcendence. It speaks to the idea that God, enthroned in the heavenly sanctuary, looks down upon the earth with divine perspective and understanding. This verse conveys a sense of God's lofty position, far above human affairs, yet actively engaged and attentive to the plight of humanity.
The historical context of this psalm is not explicitly clear, but it is often associated with the period of the Babylonian exile or the post-exilic community, a time when the people of Judah were grappling with the destruction of their temple and their forced displacement from the land. The despair expressed in the psalm resonates with the collective trauma of this period. However, the verse also carries a message of hope, suggesting that despite the suffering on earth, God is aware and involved, which would have been a comforting thought to a people in distress.
In summary, Psalm 102:19 reflects the themes of divine oversight and the contrast between God's eternal, heavenly dwelling and the transient, earthly realm. It serves as a reminder of God's transcendence, while also reassuring the faithful that they are not forgotten, as God gazes upon the earth from the divine sanctuary. This verse would have provided spiritual solace to the ancient Israelites in times of national crisis and continues to offer comfort to readers by affirming God's watchful care over creation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8259
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁקַף
Transliteration: shâqaph
Pronunciation: shaw-kaf'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e. (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle); appear, look (down, forth, out). - Strong's Number: H4791
There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָרוֹם
Transliteration: mârôwm
Pronunciation: maw-rome'
Description: from רוּם; altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft); (far) above, dignity, haughty, height, (most, on) high (one, place), loftily, upward. - Strong's Number: H6944
There are 382 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֹדֶשׁ
Transliteration: qôdesh
Pronunciation: ko'-desh
Description: from קָדַשׁ; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity; consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. - Strong's Number: H8064
There are 395 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַיִם
Transliteration: shâmayim
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'-yim
Description: dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve); air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H5027
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָבַט
Transliteration: nâbaṭ
Pronunciation: naw-bat'
Description: a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care; (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.