Psalm 14 3

Psalm 14:3 kjv

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

Psalm 14:3 nkjv

They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.

Psalm 14:3 niv

All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Psalm 14:3 esv

They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

Psalm 14:3 nlt

But no, all have turned away;
all have become corrupt.
No one does good,
not a single one!

Psalm 14 verses

Psalm 14 3 Meaning

Psalm 14:3 declares the pervasive nature of human depravity, asserting that humanity has collectively strayed from God's path, become thoroughly corrupt, and is utterly devoid of inherent goodness. It paints a stark picture of universal human failing, where no one, without divine intervention, performs genuine righteousness.

Psalm 14 3 Context

Psalm 14 belongs to a collection of psalms attributed to David. It opens with the assertion that "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" This "fool" is not intellectually challenged, but rather morally defiant, practically denying God's existence by living as if God has no claim or authority over them. The psalm describes the comprehensive evil and corrupt actions stemming from this rejection of God, portraying them as devourers of God's people. Verse 3 directly follows the general declaration of their corrupted practices, emphasizing the totality and universality of this spiritual and moral decline. The historical context reflects a time when external pressures from oppressive forces often coincided with internal moral decay within society. This psalm stands as a lament and an appeal to God for salvation, highlighting humanity's dire need for divine intervention in the face of such pervasive wickedness.

Psalm 14 3 Word analysis

• They have all: Hebrew: Kullo (כֻּלֹּו). This emphatic collective pronoun highlights the universal scope of the problem. It is not some, or most, but every single one of those who are described in the psalm (initially, the "fool" and those who follow their path, but extended in theological understanding to all humanity).
• turned aside; Hebrew: Sar (סָר). Root meaning "to turn aside, deviate, remove oneself." It implies a departure from a right, straight, or intended path. In a moral context, it means going astray from God's ways, commandments, or the path of righteousness. It suggests a wilful abandonment of truth and divine order.
• they are all together: Hebrew: Yachdav kullo (יַחְדָּו כֻּלּוֹ). Reinforces the totality, emphasizing that this is a united front of moral declension. It means "together" or "altogether." There's no exception among them.
• corrupt; Hebrew: Ne'elach (נֶאֱלַח). Root meaning "to be foul, putrid, rotten, become loathsome." It describes something that has become morally or physically repulsive and worthless. This is a strong metaphor, implying not just error, but deep, decaying defilement and utter uselessness in God's eyes. It suggests a stench of sin that is an affront to God.
• there is none who does good, Hebrew: Ein oseh tov (אֵין עֹשֵׂה טוֹב). Literally, "no doer of good." This negates any self-originated goodness. It's a definitive statement that apart from God, humanity cannot produce genuine righteousness that pleases Him. This good refers to acts of obedience to God, which flow from a right heart towards Him.
• not even one. Hebrew: Ein gam echad (אֵין גַּם אֶחָד). The final phrase provides absolute emphasis, leaving no room for exceptions. It solidifies the idea of complete and universal inability to perform good. It reinforces the grim reality that the default state of humanity, left to its own devices, is one of total moral bankruptcy.

Psalm 14 3 Bonus section

The almost identical wording in Psalm 53:3 ("They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.") indicates the enduring nature of this divine assessment of human depravity across different collections of psalms. This repetition underscores its critical importance in understanding humanity's spiritual condition. The "good" spoken of here is not merely acts of human benevolence, but righteousness in the sight of a holy God, which requires a pure heart and true devotion to Him. Without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, humans remain captive to this universal moral inability. This foundational truth serves as the backdrop for the entirety of God's redemptive plan in Scripture, culminating in Christ's work, who alone "knew no sin" (2 Cor 5:21) and could offer perfect righteousness for those who believe.

Psalm 14 3 Commentary

Psalm 14:3 delivers a powerful theological statement about the extent of human sinfulness. Following the declaration of the "fool's" rejection of God, this verse expands on the implications of such practical atheism: it leads to a complete spiritual and moral corruption that affects every individual. The triple emphasis on "all," "all together," and "not even one" underscores the universality and totality of this fallen state. "Turned aside" points to a deviation from the divinely established path of righteousness, while "corrupt" evokes an image of moral putrefaction—a profound internal decay rendering humanity fundamentally unfit for communion with a holy God. The final pronouncement, "there is none who does good, not even one," shatters any illusion of innate human goodness apart from God's grace. This isn't a statement that humans can do no kind or civil acts, but rather that no act originating from a sinful, unredeemed heart can truly satisfy God's holy standard of good or produce salvific righteousness. It sets the stage for the New Testament's doctrine of universal depravity and the indispensable need for divine redemption, as powerfully echoed by Paul in Rom 3, who cites this very psalm. This verse, therefore, establishes the theological bedrock for understanding humanity's need for a Savior.