Bible Commentaries
Psalms 14

Verses 1-7

Psalms 14

THE FOOL

Verses 1-7:

Man’s Universal Anarchy

Verse 1 asserts that the fool, one of a corrupt and withered heart, soul and intellect, has said that "there is or exists no God," that is, no God for me. The world is populated with millions who by choice and behavior say the same today. To say "there exists no God," is to: 1) claim to know everything, to be omniscient; 2) if one admits that there could exist (even) one person or thing that he does or might not know, is to concede that such a person or thing could be God. He who says "there is no God" makes "a god" of himself, a false god, a dumb god, a blind god, but a god nevertheless, as he sets in judgment against the Word of God.

Such people as deny by word or action the existence of God are fools, or like babbling morons, emotionally unstable, and spiritually deranged. All such are declared to be "corrupt," people who have done "abominable works." Of such it is certified that there is none who does good as an habit of life, 1 Samuel 25:25; Psalms 10:4; Psalms 73:3; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 1:22; Luke 12:20; Genesis 4:12; Romans 3:10-12.

Verse 2 relates that the Lord (Elohim) looked down from heaven to see, observe, if there was any (even one) among the "sons of men" that did understand, seek, or recognize God in their lives, by their natural disposition, after the fall of Adam. True people act on the basis of respect, piety, and gratitude toward God, the Elohim, as believers in Him. Only fools make a mock of Him, Psalms 111:10; Daniel 12:10; Genesis 11:5. See also Deuteronomy 4:29; Jeremiah 29:13; 2 Chronicles 15:2.

Verse 3 adds that "they are all gone aside;" being aside by nature, from the womb, all have gone aside in practice of sin, Psalms 51:5; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:4-8. All are "by nature heirs of wrath," by what they are by natural birth, Ephesians 2:3. The going aside is in contrast with those who "seek the Lord." All have a common disposition that leads to morally filthy behavior, as surely as an hog turns to wallowing in mire, or the dogs turn to his rancid vomit, Job 15:16; 2 Peter 2:22; There is "none that habitually does good," not even one, Ecclesiastes 7:29; Isaiah 59:8; Romans 3:10-12.

Verse 4 inquires whether or not all the continual workers of lawlessness have any real knowledge at all, those who "ate up" God’s people, like bread, yet called not upon Him, Isaiah 44:19-20. Here God calls the people of the covenant of Israel "my people," whom the godless "eat up," Ezekiel 34:2-3; Amos 8:4; Micah 3:3; Jeremiah 10:25; Proverbs 30:14. Note their heartless cannibalistic, thug action, toward ones fellowman, and denial of the existence of God, go hand in hand. Where there is no respect for God there can be no good. Where atheism and skepticism abound folly, emotional blindness, and wrong doing breed evil upon evil, 2 Corinthians 4:3; Ephesians 4:18.

Verse 5 discloses that "there were (existed) they in great fear," or literally "they feared a fear." This is an historic, present, and future state of all men who do not acknowledge God in their lives. When thoughts on Him come to men’s hearts fears explode, arise explosively from within, so that they have no peace; Overwhelming fear shall fall upon all who know not God when calamity comes, Revelation 6:14-17; Then it is added that "God is in (to help) the generation of the righteous," to show favor; in contrast with shocking fear that awaits the rebel-fool against God, as expressed Job 15:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Psalms 3:5.

Verse 6 charges that the wicked have "shamed," treated with shame and contempt, the "counsel of the poor," because "the Lord is (exists as) his refuge," Psalms 46:1. While the obstinate fool goes on in peaceless, restless, fear to the hour of his certain terror-filled hour of final judgment, Isaiah 57:19-20; Romans 3:10-12; Hebrews 9:26-27.

Verse 7 laments "Oh that salvation (deliverance) of Israel were come (already) out of Zion! "the city of God; David longs to see God come to the rescue of His covenant people, that the name of their God be not blasphemed. He adds his testimony of faith in these noble poetic words of hope," when the Lord brings back the captivity of His people (or His people from captivity and dispersion) Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad." Note, he did not say "if," but "when," such came to pass. The phrase "bring back the captivity" is also used to mean to restore from oppression and dispersion, as in the case of Joseph, Israel, and Job, Psalms 142:7; Isaiah 42:7; Isaiah 49:9; Job 42:10; Deuteronomy 30:3.