Bible Commentaries
Psalms 14

Verse 1

To the chief Musician. See App-64 .

The fool: i.e. the impious man. Compare Psalms 10:4 ; Psalms 53:1 .

no = no sign of a.

GOD*. The primitive text was "Jehovah" ( App-4 .), but the Sopherim say that they altered it to El ( App-4 .). So Psalms 14:2 and Psalms 14:5 . See App-32

There is, &c. Quoted in Romans 3:10-12 with other scriptures.

doeth good. The Septuagint adds "no not one". This completes the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis with Psalms 14:3 ( App-6 ).

Verse 2

The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ). The verse beginning and ending with "Jehovah" (see note on "GOD", Psalms 14:1 ). Psalm not for public use: but for David's private use.

looked . . . To see. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

children = sons.

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 3

all = the whole mass. Compare "No, not one", Romans 3:10-12 .

filthy = corrupt.

Verse 4

eat up My People. Compare Jeremiah 10:25 .Amos 8:4 .Micah 3:3 . Between Psalms 14:3 and Psalms 14:4 the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, insert four verses; three are retained in P.B.V. Probably an ancient marginal note which found its way into a MS.

Verse 5

were they in great fear. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 . Hebrew they feared a fear.

generation = circle. Hebrew. dor, company, or class.

righteous = righteous man.

Verse 6

poor = an oppressed one. Compare Psalms 9:0 and Psalms 10:0 .

Verse 7

Oh . . ! Figure of speech Epiphonema. App-6 .

Zion. See App-68 .

bringeth back the captivity. Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ). See note on Deuteronomy 30:3 .

Jacob . . . Israel. On these names, see notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 .