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Psalm 14: The Fool Says in His Heart, “There is no God.”

Psalm 14

For the director of music. Of David.

1 The fool says in his heart,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
    there is no one who does good.

2 The Lord looks down from heaven
    on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
    any who seek God.
3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
    there is no one who does good,
    not even one.

  1. “The fool” a descriptive word for someone who is unteachable or unscrupulous. It is a judgment of one’s character, not their intelligence.
  2. “There is no God” Can describe atheism, but more broadly speaks of the one who lacks any sense of accountability or duty to God. Even professing Christians may fall into this as they forget God in their daily affairs.
  3. “Corrupt” a fundamental flaw that produces continual error. This is the sinful nature of man that produces error in reasoning and judgment, leading to inconsistence, incoherence and insanity (Romans 1:18-22).
  4. “There is no one who does good.” Literally, there is no one who is good enough, according to God’s standards. You will never find a person who has never sinned or transgressed God’s commands in some way (Romans 3:10-23).
  5. “The Lord looks down from heaven” God is looking for “those who’s hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9) that He may strengthen them. He seeks worshippers (John 4:23-24), but they are in the minority. Most people, when left to their own devices will busy themselves with carnal pleasures and the cares of this life and do not seek God.

4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?

They devour my people as though eating bread;
    they never call on the Lord.
5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
    for God is present in the company of the righteous.
6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
    but the Lord is their refuge.

  1. “Evildoers” systematic, habitual, masterful “inventors of evil” (Romans 1:30)
  2. “Know nothing” They shun the knowledge of God and the more they do, the more the more frightening they become.
  3. “Devour my people” the wicked turn their hatred toward the godly (John 3:20-21).
  4. “God is present in the company of the righteous… the Lord is their refuge.” Even when the godless reign in terror (Proverbs 29:2), God has not forsaken the godly. In fact, even the wicked find that they cannot escape God’s plan (Exodus 9:16; Romans 9:17; Acts 4:27-28)

7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When the Lord restores his people,
    let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

  1. “Oh, that salvation… would come out of Zion.” A prayer for God’s people (OT Israel and NT Church) that the Lord would deliver them from the schemes of the godless.

In the end, there are two options: Christ or chaos! Which will you choose?