Psalm 14, The Corrupt Fool

For the director of music. Of David.

Psalm 14: 1-3, All are scoundrels

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." 

They are corrupt, 

their deeds are vile; 

there is no one who does good.

The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men 

to see if there are any who understand, 

any who seek God.

All have turned aside, 

they have together become corrupt; 

there is no one who does good, 

not even one.

The Hebrew word (nabal?) translated "fool", indicates an assertive defiance, says Kidner.  Alter translates it as "scoundrel."   The first verse is not a statement about intellectual ability but about arrogance. The one who is a scoundrel has already dismissed God in his thoughts and actions. The passage then goes on to say that when YHWH looks down on the sons of men, all are scoundrels.

The first verse does not say, "The atheist is a fool" -- this is not a statement about atheism but about corruption; people who act corruptly dismiss God as they do so.

Note the strong contrast between the confident, even scolding, opening of this psalm and the pleading, begging first verse of the previous psalm, Psalm 13: 1!

Verse 3 is quoted in Romans 3:12.  In that passage (Romans 3:10-18) Paul argues that this is a trait common to all humanity.  As a result of the fall, all humanity (including people hiding within religious activities!) are seeking their own power and control and effectively dismissing God.

Psalm 14: 4-6, But God is present!

Will evildoers never learn-- 

those who devour my people as men eat bread 

and who do not call on the LORD?

There they are, overwhelmed with dread, 

for God is present in the company of the righteous.

You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, 

but the LORD is their refuge.

As in many psalms (and much of the Old Testament) there is an emphasis on justice, on defending the oppressed.  David angrily denounces those who, in their arrogance, "devour" his people.  God will act, says David!

I am reminded of an old phrase, used in rural Russia and, at one point, in Alaska: "God is in His heaven and the Tsar is far away."  In other words, all authority is far away and we can act without fear of consequence or punishment.  David's words are intended to confront this belief.

Psalm 14: 7, Future salvation for Israel

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! 

When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, 

let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

What does the term "salvation" mean in verse 7?  (It is much more general than the evangelistic "salvation" of some Christian circles; it is an earthly restoration of some type.)

Since David is concerned about justice, he is also concerned about Israel.  Like many psalms, this ends with a turn towards national concerns.  (This is an Old Testament concept, not a New Testament one.  David was eventually king of Israel and could mix concerns for "God's people" with concerns for his personal safety.)

Note: this psalm is repeated as psalm 53, with minor differences around verse 5 and 6.