Bible Commentaries
Psalms 14

Everett's Study Notes on the Holy ScripturesEverett's Study Notes

Verses 1-7

Psalms 14:0

Historical Background - Psalms 14:0 is almost identical to Psalms 53:1-6; only Psalms 14:5-6 differ. Psalms 14:0 is in book 1 (Psalms 1-41) and Psalms 53:0 is in book 2 (Psalms 42-72). One difference when comparing these two Psalms is that Psalms 14:0 used the word YHWH ( יְהוָֹה ) (H3068), while Psalms 53:0 uses the general name for God “Eloheim” ( אֳלהִׁים ) (H430). This implies that the Psalms may have consisted of several separate, smaller books, with some of the Psalms being the same. At some point, these books were condensed into the entire book of Psalms as we know it today.

We see this duplication in Psalms 18:0 and 2 Samuel 22:0. Also, Psalms 70:1-5 is a duplicate of Psalms 40:13-17. This duplication is also found in the book of Proverbs, implying that it had a similar composition.

Psalms 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.

Psalms 14:1 Word Study on “the fool” - Hebrew - The Hebrew word for fool is “nabal” ( נָבָל ) (H5036). This is also the name of the man called Nabal, whom God killed for his foolishness in 1 Samuel 25:0.

Psalms 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

Psalms 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psalms 14:2-3 Comments Human Depravity - Romans 3:10-12 quotes from Psalms 14:2-3, revealing that that every person has sinned.

Romans 3:10-12, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

Psalms 14:4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

Psalms 14:5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

Psalms 14:5 “for God is in the generation of the righteous” Scripture Reference - Note:

Psalms 24:6, “This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.”

Bibliographical Information
Everett, Gary H. "Commentary on Psalms 14". Everett's Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ghe/psalms-14.html. 2013.