Psalm 14 1

Psalm 14:1 kjv

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.

Psalm 14:1 nkjv

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

Psalm 14:1 niv

For the director of music. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

Psalm 14:1 esv

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

Psalm 14:1 nlt

Only fools say in their hearts,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
not one of them does good!

Psalm 14 verses

Psalm 14 1 Meaning

Psalm 14:1 profoundly describes the "fool" as one who asserts in his inner being that God does not exist. This is not primarily an intellectual deficiency or philosophical atheism, but a moral and practical declaration of autonomy from God. It signifies a profound spiritual rebellion where the individual actively discredits God's authority, presence, and moral accountability, leading inevitably to corrupt behavior and a complete disregard for righteousness and truth.

Psalm 14 1 Context

Psalm 14, mirrored almost identically by Psalm 53, is generally attributed to King David. Its setting often reflects periods of moral decline or national apostasy within Israel, where unrighteousness and corruption become rampant. The Psalm moves from a statement about the inner disposition of the wicked ("the fool") to God's observations from heaven, then to the pervasive depravity on earth, and finally, a plea for salvation. The opening verse lays the foundation, establishing the root cause of societal corruption: the denial, not necessarily of God's intellectual existence, but of His practical relevance and authority over one's life. This allows the fool to rationalize sinful actions without fear of divine judgment, which resonates with eras of internal turmoil or external oppression, where justice is perverted and the righteous suffer.

Psalm 14 1 Word analysis

• The fool (Heb. Nabal, נָבָל):

  • Signifies not a lack of mental capacity but a moral and spiritual depravity.
  • This fool is senseless, wicked, impious, and contemptuous of God and His commands.
  • Implies a hardened heart that rejects divine wisdom and authority.
  • Their actions are irrational from a godly perspective.
  • Often leads to disgraceful or shameful behavior, as seen with Nabal in 1 Samuel 25.

• says (Heb. ʾāmar, אָמַר):

  • More than mere verbal articulation.
  • It indicates a deep, settled conviction, an internal affirmation.
  • It's a declaration of a principle by which one lives.

• in his heart (Heb. bəlibbō, בְּלִבּוֹ):

  • Refers to the innermost being, the seat of thought, emotion, and will.
  • Highlights that this denial of God originates from a profound internal disposition.
  • It's a foundational belief, not just a casual thought.
  • Outward actions stem from these inner convictions.

• "There is no God" (Heb. ʾēyn ʾĕlōhīm, אֵין אֱלֹהִים):

  • Not primarily an assertion of philosophical atheism (intellectual disbelief).
  • Rather, a practical, functional atheism.
  • It means, "God has no place in my life; He doesn't matter; He won't intervene; I am not accountable to Him."
  • It is a denial of God's sovereignty, judgment, and moral demands.
  • Allows for uninhibited wickedness, believing one is free from consequences.
  • This belief provides a license for corruption.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "The fool says in his heart": This phrase pinpoints the origin of moral corruption. It begins internally, rooted in a rejection of God at the very core of one's being. The external actions of wickedness and oppression detailed in later verses flow directly from this inward, fundamental stance. It underlines personal culpability.
  • "says in his heart, 'There is no God'": This specific denial of God is the root. It’s a deliberate dismissal of divine authority and a conscious choice to live without reference to the Creator or His standards. This mindset allows the individual to justify all manner of evil, as there is no higher power to whom they must answer. It explains the widespread moral decay described later.

Psalm 14 1 Bonus section

The concept of the "fool" in this Psalm closely aligns with Paul's description in Romans 1:18-32, where humanity "suppresses the truth" about God, leading to darkened hearts and debased minds. This suggests that the denial of God is not born of ignorance but often a willful choice rooted in a desire for moral autonomy. It reflects a deep spiritual perversion, not an intellectual failing. The "no God" thought in Psalm 14:1 leads directly to a downward spiral of unrighteousness and injustice, culminating in acts that violate human dignity and God's holy character. It highlights the indispensable link between acknowledging God and living a righteous life, serving as a powerful warning against moral relativism and the abandonment of divine truth in any society or individual life.

Psalm 14 1 Commentary

Psalm 14:1 concisely identifies the foundational lie behind all moral depravity: the practical rejection of God. The "fool" is not a person of low intelligence but one whose moral compass is broken, operating from an inner conviction that God is irrelevant or nonexistent in terms of personal accountability. This belief is not openly proclaimed or intellectually reasoned, but affirmed "in his heart," meaning it governs his character and actions. It is a declaration of independence from divine law, paving the way for the rampant wickedness, injustice, and oppression against God's people detailed in the subsequent verses. This Psalm is a sobering assessment of humanity's natural inclination towards sin when God's reality and authority are dismissed from the inner life.

• Examples:
  • A person who consistently cheats or lies without remorse demonstrates the "no God" philosophy in action.
  • A corrupt leader who abuses power and oppresses others, despite public profession, effectively operates on the premise that God is not watching or will not judge.
  • Individuals who engage in destructive hedonism, seeking only their own pleasure with no regard for divine consequences or moral boundaries.