A Study in Psalms Psalm 14

1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> 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.

• The definition of a fool – one who does not believe in God or even that God exists. Note that this implies a conscious denial of God, an imagination of the heart.

• corrupt – spoiled, not in it's correct form, rotten

• it is impossible for those who do not trust God to do good – something that is corrupt cannot produce something wholesome

2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

• God is not part of his creation and is untouched by corruption

• God is always watching and sees everything

3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Ro 3:10

• everyone is corrupt – it is only when we trust God through his Son, Jesus Christ, that God begins to make us good “ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” Eph 1:6,12

• No one does good – only God is good “ And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” Mark 10:18

4 ¶ Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

• Those who do not trust God have no eternal knowledge; therefore any knowledge they have is a vanity and worthless

• Those who do evil behave as ones who have no knowledge; if they realized who God is and what the consequences of their rebellion brings upon them, they would surely behave differently. Note that it is not God's fault that they have no knowledge; they have deliberately chosen to ignore His teaching and the evidence all around them. In other words, they have no knowledge because they choose not to receive it. “ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” Ro 1:20 – 22

• They mock and trouble God's children.

• When people do not trust God, it is easy for them to take advantage of others when they can and even to destroy others for personal gain. Without God, in a world that has accepted evolution and the idea of survival of the fittest as its philosophy, it is GOOD to trample and kill others to get ahead.

5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

• Those who despise God and his people experience deep fear, though they would never admit it, as their God created conscience tells them that they are wrong and will have to answer for their sins.

• God protects his people – those who have put their trust in him through Jesus Christ.

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

• The works of sinful man are shameful, turning against and despising those who trust God instead of worldly wealth, but God is the help and refuge of all who call upon his son, Jesus Christ, for salvation.

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.

• We are captives of sin or captives of God; what joy it is to be God's captive! Jesus came out of Zion and will one day touch down again on Zion when he returns.

• Jesus took away the captivity of sin when he rose victorious from the dead, having paid the full penalty for our sins with his death upon the cross. “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” Eph 4:8