Psalm 14 – A Detailed Explanation

Text (KJV)

1 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.
2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
7 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.

Overview

Psalm 14 is a deeply reflective, prophetic psalm attributed to David. It is a lament on the state of mankind, the prevalence of wickedness, and a longing for divine salvation. Its message resonates not just within the context of ancient Israel but reaches forward into Christian theology, especially in the Apostle Paul’s writings in Romans.

The Psalm can be divided into three sections:

Verses 1–3: The universal corruption of mankind.
Verses 4–6: The oppression of the righteous by the wicked and God’s protection.
Verse 7: A prayer and prophecy for divine deliverance.

Let’s now explore it verse by verse.

Verse 1: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."

The word fool here is not a statement about intelligence but moral deficiency. The Hebrew word used, nabal, refers to someone who is spiritually and morally insensitive. This is seen elsewhere in Scripture, for example in the character Nabal in 1 Samuel 25, who is described as harsh and evil.

To say “There is no God” doesn’t necessarily imply atheism as understood today. It often reflects a practical atheism—living as though God does not exist, even if one professes belief. In other words, this fool is corrupt not because he’s made a reasoned conclusion about God, but because he has rejected moral accountability.

Key Themes:

Rejection of God begins in the heart, not the mind.
Moral choices influence spiritual perceptions.
Denial of God leads to corruption.

"They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."

This is a sweeping indictment. David speaks not just of individual sin but of corporate, universal corruption. The term “abominable” often refers to idolatry and injustice, which were rampant during certain periods of Israel’s history.

The idea that “none do good” seems extreme, yet from God’s perspective of perfect holiness, even our righteous acts are tainted (Isaiah 64:6). This verse is later quoted by Paul in Romans 3 to support the doctrine of universal sin.

Verse 2: "The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men…"

This is anthropomorphic language—God is described in human terms to help us understand divine action.

The idea of God "looking down" recalls Genesis 6:5, where God saw the great wickedness before the flood. It's a motif that emphasizes God's concern and awareness. He is not distant or indifferent.

God searches for those who "understand and seek God"—those who respond to Him with humility and faith. But the search reveals something tragic.

Verse 3: "They are all gone aside…"

Again, we see the theme of universal depravity. The phrase “gone aside” indicates that humanity has turned away from the path of righteousness, deviated from what is good.

“They are all together become filthy”: The Hebrew term here implies moral rottenness or decay.
“There is none that doeth good, no, not one”: This repetition drives home the totality of the problem.

This verse is the climax of God's observation: not a single person, on their own merit, is righteous. This verse, like the first, is quoted in Romans 3 by Paul in his argument for the need of salvation through faith, not works.

Verse 4: "Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge?"

This rhetorical question suggests incredulity. It's as if David is stunned at the blind, self-destructive behavior of the wicked. How can people be so blind to truth and justice?

The second part of the verse—“who eat up my people as they eat bread”—is a vivid metaphor. It portrays the oppression of the righteous by the wicked as something casual and frequent, like eating a meal.

The righteous are being consumed.
The wicked “call not upon the LORD”—they ignore God entirely.

Spiritual Application:

Those who reject God often become oppressors. When divine accountability is removed, cruelty becomes normalized.

Verse 5: "There were they in great fear…"

Interestingly, even the wicked will face fear—the fear of judgment. Though they may act boldly now, they will eventually be overwhelmed when confronted with divine justice.

The phrase “God is in the generation of the righteous” offers comfort. It reminds the reader that God dwells with His people, even when the world is hostile. The righteous may be few, but they are not alone.

Verse 6: "Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge."

The poor, often synonymous with the righteous in the Psalms, are mocked for their faith. Their “counsel” likely refers to their trust in God—their way of life shaped by hope and faith.

But the Psalmist reminds us: their refuge is the LORD. Though mocked and shamed by the world, the poor have a fortress the wicked cannot understand or penetrate.

Verse 7: "Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!"

This is both a prayer and a prophecy. It reflects the yearning for redemption—not just personal but national. Zion, representing Jerusalem or the dwelling place of God, is invoked as the source of salvation.

This verse finds ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe is the Messiah sent from Zion. But it also connects with exilic and post-exilic hopes for restoration.

“When the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people” could refer to:

A literal return from Babylonian exile.

A spiritual return from bondage to sin.

A messianic hope of complete restoration.

The joy in the final line—“Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad”—contrasts sharply with the lament at the beginning. Despite human failure, God's salvation will bring joy.

Theological Significance

1. Universal Sinfulness

Psalm 14 is central to the biblical doctrine of total depravity—that all humans are inherently sinful and incapable of righteousness apart from divine grace. This is a cornerstone in both Judaism and Christianity.

Paul’s use of this Psalm in Romans 3 shows that:

The human condition is universally flawed.
Both Jews and Gentiles are guilty before God.
Salvation must come from outside ourselves.

2. God’s Justice and Mercy

Though the Psalm begins with condemnation, it ends with hope. This reflects God’s character—holy, yet merciful. He judges wickedness but also promises deliverance.

3. The Righteous Remnant

Even when the world is corrupt, God preserves a faithful remnant. These are the ones who seek Him, take refuge in Him, and trust in His deliverance.

Literary Structure and Style

Psalm 14 is structured like a lament, with:

A declaration of the problem (vv. 1–3),
A confrontation of the oppressors (vv. 4–6),
And a hope-filled conclusion (v. 7).

It uses parallelism, a common poetic feature in Hebrew literature, where lines echo and reinforce each other.

Example:

“There is none that doeth good,
No, not one.”

The Psalm is stark, almost bleak at first, but its purpose is not to lead to despair. Rather, it functions as a wake-up call—a call to recognize sin and turn to God for salvation.

Comparing Psalm 14 and Psalm 53

Psalm 14 is nearly identical to Psalm 53, with minor differences in wording. Psalm 53, however, uses Elohim (God) instead of YHWH (LORD), suggesting it may have been adapted for use in a different liturgical setting.

Why the repetition? It shows how important and widely recognized this message was. Both Psalms emphasize:

The folly of denying God.
The corruption of humanity.
The hope of salvation.

Application for Today

Recognizing the Reality of Sin
- Psalm 14 forces us to confront the depth of our brokenness.
- It's a reminder that apart from God, we are lost.
Moral Decay Begins with Spiritual Rejection
- Denying God leads to corruption in behavior and thought.
- This is relevant in cultures that increasingly push God to the margins.
Comfort for the Oppressed
- God sees the righteous. He dwells with them.
- Even if they’re mocked or marginalized, they are not forgotten.
Longing for Redemption
- The cry for salvation in verse 7 is our cry too.
- Christians believe Jesus fulfills this verse—salvation did come out of Zion.

Conclusion

Psalm 14 is a powerful, unflinching examination of the human heart. Its brilliance lies in its honesty—it doesn’t sugarcoat sin, nor does it pretend the righteous are exempt from suffering. But it also doesn't leave us without hope. God sees, God knows, and God saves.

Through its rawness and realism, the Psalm invites us into a deeper understanding of our need for grace, and the hope that is found in God's unfailing faithfulness.

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
Let the wise, instead, say: “The Lord is my refuge. I will seek Him.”

BIBLE LIBRARY

Sunday, April 6, 2025