Psalm 14 5

Psalm 14:5 kjv

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

Psalm 14:5 nkjv

There they are in great fear, For God is with the generation of the righteous.

Psalm 14:5 niv

But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.

Psalm 14:5 esv

There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.

Psalm 14:5 nlt

Terror will grip them,
for God is with those who obey him.

Psalm 14 verses

Psalm 14 5 Meaning

Psalm 14:5 describes a sudden and unexpected divine judgment falling upon those who deny God and oppress His people. It reveals that "there"—in that very moment or situation where the wicked believed they were secure—they are gripped by intense, paralyzing terror. This terror arises from the clear and undeniable realization that God is not absent or indifferent, but actively present with and for the "generation of the righteous," the very people the wicked have scorned and exploited. The verse thus highlights the inevitable turning of tables: the righteous, whom the wicked deemed forsaken, are actually under divine protection, and this divine solidarity precipitates the oppressors' downfall and dread.

Psalm 14 5 Context

Psalm 14, mirroring Psalm 53, depicts the "fool" who says in his heart, "There is no God" (v. 1). This "fool" is not intellectually deficient but morally corrupt, rejecting God's existence or, more accurately, God's active involvement and authority in human affairs. Such a denial leads to "corrupt deeds" and the oppression of "my people" (vv. 2-4), meaning God's covenant people, specifically "the poor," whom they "devour... as they eat bread." These oppressors scoff at the afflicted and put the "poor man's counsel to shame," because they believe God is not on the side of the downtrodden. Verse 5 shatters this illusion, describing the sudden, inexplicable dread that overtakes these godless oppressors. Their terror is not born of a visible threat but from the crushing realization of a divine presence—the very presence they denied—which is unequivocally aligned with the "generation of the righteous." Historically and culturally, the Psalm speaks to societies where power dynamics often favored the strong and exploitative, reinforcing the divine justice principle where God actively intervenes against injustice, serving as a powerful polemic against any belief system that suggested God was indifferent or absent to the plight of the oppressed.

Psalm 14 5 Word analysis

• There: The Hebrew word is sham (שָׁם). It points to a specific place or moment. It signifies the immediacy and suddenness of the event. It’s not a distant, future dread, but one that overtakes them right then, perhaps in the very place of their boasting or oppression. It underlines the unexpected turn of events for the wicked.

• they are in great dread: The phrase translates the Hebrew sham paḥad paḥadū (שָׁם פָּחֲדוּ פָחַד).

  • paḥad (פָּחַד): This noun means "dread," "terror," or "panic." It often describes a fear that causes one to tremble or recoil. It is distinct from ordinary fear, carrying a sense of being overwhelmed or shocked by a sudden, intense fright. In biblical usage, paḥad is frequently associated with a terror or dismay inflicted by divine action or presence, making it a significant sign of God's intervention. The repetition paḥad paḥadū (lit. "they dreaded a dread") intensifies the feeling, emphasizing the profound and overwhelming nature of their terror, a true and abject panic.

• for God is with: The Hebrew is ki Elohim b’dor (כִּי אֱלֹהִים בְּדוֹר).

  • ki (כִּי): A causal conjunction, meaning "for" or "because." It explicitly links the wicked's dread to the subsequent statement, identifying the reason for their terror.
  • Elohim (אֱלֹהִים): The generic but foundational Hebrew word for God, used here to emphasize God as the ultimate divine being and active sovereign. This stands in direct contrast to the "fool" who denies His presence.
  • b'dor (בְּדוֹר): The preposition bə (בְּ) means "in" or "among" or "with." Its presence implies God's active dwelling and siding with the righteous, not merely an abstract existence. The divine presence among them provides both their protection and the cause of the wicked's fear.

• the generation of the righteous: The Hebrew is dor tsaddiq (דּוֹר צַדִּיק).

  • dor (דּוֹר): Meaning "generation" or "age group." It can refer to a specific group of people living at one time or can signify a lineage or community characterized by a common trait. Here, it signifies the entire collective or community of those marked by righteousness, not just isolated individuals.
  • tsaddiq (צַדִּיק): "Righteous," "just," "blameless." It describes those who live in right relationship with God and man, adhering to God's covenant and commands. This is the very group that the "fools" of Psalm 14:4 thought they could oppress without consequence, as if God were not observing or caring.

• "There they are in great dread, for God is with": This phrase dramatically sets up a cause-and-effect relationship. The "dread" (a state of extreme fear) is directly caused by the "God is with" clause. This dread is a divinely induced, unreasoning panic, demonstrating that their supposed security has utterly collapsed. It reveals the turning point in their understanding: they suddenly grasp the reality of God's active, intervening presence on behalf of His people. The phrase marks a stark reversal of fortunes and perspectives, showcasing God’s ultimate sovereignty and justice.

Psalm 14 5 Bonus section

The sudden dread (paḥad) experienced by the wicked often functions in Scripture as an active, debilitating manifestation of God's judgment or power, striking the enemy from within or without, not just a psychological fear. It is a sign of chaos returning to the one who creates it, disrupting their plans and perceived order. The mention of "the generation of the righteous" is significant in covenant theology. It emphasizes that God's covenant loyalty extends not just to isolated individuals, but to a community or lineage defined by their obedience and faith. This strengthens the collective identity of God's people and underlines His steadfastness to them through time, countering the wicked's attempt to erase or dismiss this "generation." Psalm 14 is a 'wisdom psalm' as much as it is a lament or an imprecation. It draws on wisdom tradition that contrasts the "fool" (nabal) with the "righteous" (tsaddiq) and warns of the inevitable consequences for rejecting God's order. The realization of God's presence, rather than His assumed absence, is the core of their dreadful experience. This shift from assumed godlessness to a confrontation with the Almighty highlights a foundational truth about divine justice.

Psalm 14 5 Commentary

Psalm 14:5 encapsulates a profound theological truth about divine justice and the ultimate triumph of righteousness. The preceding verses paint a picture of human depravity and the oppression of God's people by those who arrogantly deny Him. This verse delivers a sudden and jarring pivot, revealing the unexpected consequence of such rebellion. The "dread" that seizes the wicked is a direct outcome of their misjudgment regarding God's involvement in the world. They operate under the delusion that God is absent, indifferent, or perhaps even on their side, as they "eat up" God's people as they would "bread." But this delusion shatters when they perceive God's undeniable solidarity with the "generation of the righteous." This divine "being with" the righteous serves as a source of protection and vindication for the oppressed, and simultaneously, as the very source of terror and dismay for the oppressor. It's a statement that God will not be mocked and His people will not be left to the wolves indefinitely. This passage underscores God's active presence in the affairs of humanity, serving as a reminder that divine reckoning is both real and often sudden. For the oppressed, it is a message of hope and assurance; for the oppressor, a sobering warning of inevitable, God-wrought reversal.For example, Pharaoh's sudden fear during the plagues and Red Sea crossing stemmed from his forced acknowledgment that the God of Israel was indeed with His people (Exo 14:25). Similarly, the sudden terror of Sennacherib's army (Isa 37:36) was a clear sign of God's direct intervention.