The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.
There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Psalms 14 and Psalms 53 share remarkable similarities, and their profound words resonate throughout Scripture. The apostle Paul even quotes from these very passages in Romans 3:10-12 to illustrate the universal nature of sin. In this psalm, David paints a vivid picture of his enemies as corrupt, ignorant of God, and consumed by evil. Yet, amidst this darkness, he offers a prayerful hope for God to establish His kingdom for Israel. Let's delve deeper into the meaning of Psalms 14.
The Heart of the Fool (Psalms 14:1-3)
The opening line of Psalms 14:1 delivers a stark assessment of those who reject God: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" The term "fool" here isn't merely about intellectual deficiency. The Hebrew word nāḇāl suggests a stubborn, irrational, and willful ignorance. It's not a lack of evidence that leads to this denial (as Psalms 19:1 and Romans 1:18-20 make clear), but a deliberate choice of the will—a decision made deep within the heart (Jeremiah 17:9)—to live as if God doesn't exist. This "fool" lives life without any regard for God, either disbelieving in God's existence or convinced that he is not accountable to God for his actions. The idea of divine justice is far from his mind, and consequently, his lifestyle becomes corrupt.
From God's eternal and holy perspective, humanity has become marred and corrupted by sin. Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 3:9-12, highlighting our universal sin nature. Even when we strive to be "good," our efforts are still tainted by the effects of sin (Isaiah 64:6). David emphasizes the complete depravity of those who reject God's very existence. He observes that there is no one who seeks God or lives in wisdom, not even one (Psalms 14:2-3).
The Evildoers and God's Protection (Psalms 14:4-6)
David expresses amazement at the wicked, who "eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call on the Lord" (Psalms 14:4). Old Testament Scripture often uses the imagery of oppressors "eating" those they abuse (Proverbs 30:14; Psalms 27:1-2; Micah 3:1-3). David wonders if these evildoers will ever understand that they cannot devour God’s people and escape the consequences. They are unaware that God will overwhelm them. They don’t realize that God is with those who are righteous (Psalms 14:5), and to attack God’s people is to attack Him.
Despite this, David is confident that those who refuse to acknowledge God will face judgment (Hebrews 10:31; Revelation 20:11-15). Though evil people often persecute others, believers can take comfort knowing that God will make all things right (John 16:33; Revelation 21:1-5). He remains a safe place, a refuge, for those who believe in Him (Psalms 14:6). Though, for a time, sinners frustrate the plans of the oppressed, they will not prevail. The righteous take refuge in God, and He will vindicate them.
Longing for Deliverance and Restoration (Psalms 14:7)
The psalm concludes with a hopeful anticipation of future deliverance: "Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad" (Psalms 14:7). David longs for the day of Israel’s deliverance, the day when God would restore the fortunes of his people. Ultimately, this will take place when Jesus Christ rules from David’s throne in His millennial kingdom.
This total victory is part of many Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 9:6-7; Zechariah 13:1; Zephaniah 3:16-20). On that day, God will establish justice and joy universally and comprehensively. With this final triumph over sin, all of God's people will have reason to celebrate. In the meantime, God’s people are to model His rule in a sinful world. So, take heart, you who follow the Lord. He keeps track of injustices, and He will bring about your deliverance at the right time.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.
There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Psalms 14 and Psalms 53 share remarkable similarities, and their profound words resonate throughout Scripture. The apostle Paul even quotes from these very passages in Romans 3:10-12 to illustrate the universal nature of sin. In this psalm, David paints a vivid picture of his enemies as corrupt, ignorant of God, and consumed by evil. Yet, amidst this darkness, he offers a prayerful hope for God to establish His kingdom for Israel. Let's delve deeper into the meaning of Psalms 14.
The Heart of the Fool (Psalms 14:1-3)
The opening line of Psalms 14:1 delivers a stark assessment of those who reject God: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" The term "fool" here isn't merely about intellectual deficiency. The Hebrew word nāḇāl suggests a stubborn, irrational, and willful ignorance. It's not a lack of evidence that leads to this denial (as Psalms 19:1 and Romans 1:18-20 make clear), but a deliberate choice of the will—a decision made deep within the heart (Jeremiah 17:9)—to live as if God doesn't exist. This "fool" lives life without any regard for God, either disbelieving in God's existence or convinced that he is not accountable to God for his actions. The idea of divine justice is far from his mind, and consequently, his lifestyle becomes corrupt.
From God's eternal and holy perspective, humanity has become marred and corrupted by sin. Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 3:9-12, highlighting our universal sin nature. Even when we strive to be "good," our efforts are still tainted by the effects of sin (Isaiah 64:6). David emphasizes the complete depravity of those who reject God's very existence. He observes that there is no one who seeks God or lives in wisdom, not even one (Psalms 14:2-3).
The Evildoers and God's Protection (Psalms 14:4-6)
David expresses amazement at the wicked, who "eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call on the Lord" (Psalms 14:4). Old Testament Scripture often uses the imagery of oppressors "eating" those they abuse (Proverbs 30:14; Psalms 27:1-2; Micah 3:1-3). David wonders if these evildoers will ever understand that they cannot devour God’s people and escape the consequences. They are unaware that God will overwhelm them. They don’t realize that God is with those who are righteous (Psalms 14:5), and to attack God’s people is to attack Him.
Despite this, David is confident that those who refuse to acknowledge God will face judgment (Hebrews 10:31; Revelation 20:11-15). Though evil people often persecute others, believers can take comfort knowing that God will make all things right (John 16:33; Revelation 21:1-5). He remains a safe place, a refuge, for those who believe in Him (Psalms 14:6). Though, for a time, sinners frustrate the plans of the oppressed, they will not prevail. The righteous take refuge in God, and He will vindicate them.
Longing for Deliverance and Restoration (Psalms 14:7)
The psalm concludes with a hopeful anticipation of future deliverance: "Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad" (Psalms 14:7). David longs for the day of Israel’s deliverance, the day when God would restore the fortunes of his people. Ultimately, this will take place when Jesus Christ rules from David’s throne in His millennial kingdom.
This total victory is part of many Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 9:6-7; Zechariah 13:1; Zephaniah 3:16-20). On that day, God will establish justice and joy universally and comprehensively. With this final triumph over sin, all of God's people will have reason to celebrate. In the meantime, God’s people are to model His rule in a sinful world. So, take heart, you who follow the Lord. He keeps track of injustices, and He will bring about your deliverance at the right time.