David
Psalm 14
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
Scripture (KJV)
1The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
2The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
5There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
6Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
7Oh 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.
Summary
Psalm 14 is a diagnosis of universal human corruption. David begins with the famous declaration: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." This is not merely intellectual atheism but practical disregard for God—living as if God does not see or matter. The result is corruption and abominable works. The LORD looks down from heaven, searching for anyone who understands and seeks God, and the verdict is devastating: all have turned aside, all have become filthy, none does good—not even one. The Apostle Paul quotes these verses in Romans 3 to establish the universal reality of sin.
The psalm then exposes the cruelty that flows from godlessness: the workers of iniquity eat up God’s people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD. Yet they will be in great fear, for God is in the generation of the righteous. The poor who take refuge in the LORD will not be put to shame. The psalm closes with a longing for salvation: "Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!" and the promise that when the LORD restores His people, Jacob and Israel will rejoice. The major themes are human depravity, God’s omniscience, the righteous remnant, and hope of salvation. Practically, the psalm teaches that without God, moral corruption is universal, but the LORD remains the refuge of the poor. The great lesson is that the diagnosis of sin makes the longing for salvation all the more urgent.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 14
O LORD, You look down from heaven and see that all have turned aside; there is none that does good, no, not one. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God," and corruption follows. I confess that I too have gone aside and become filthy in Your sight. Have all of us no knowledge, that we eat up others and do not call upon You? But You are in the generation of the righteous, and You are the refuge of the poor. Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! Restore Your people, and let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad. Save me from my own corruption and make me one who seeks You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1What does it mean to say in my heart, "There is no God," even if I would never say it aloud?
- 2How does the LORD’s looking down from heaven change my view of my own actions?
- 3Where do I see the universal corruption described in verses 1–3 in my own life?
- 4How does the longing for salvation in verse 7 point beyond the psalm to Christ?
Related Psalms
Psalm 53
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.”
A parallel to Psalm 14 on universal corruption and longing for salvation.
Read morePsalm 10
“Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?”
A lament over the arrogance of the wicked and a plea for God to act for the helpless.
Read morePsalm 12
“Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.”
A cry against deceitful speech and a trust in God’s pure words.
Read morePsalm 11
“In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?”
Confidence in God despite counsel to flee; the Lord’s throne endures.
Read morePsalm 36
“The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.”
Contrast of human wickedness with God’s steadfast love and fountain of life.
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