The fool has said in his heart, There is no God”. They are corrupt, they have done abominable deeds. There is no one who does good. Psalms 14:1

Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 14:1 – Evidently this is a very important Psalm because it is repeated with only a few changes in Psalm 53, and Paul quotes from it in Romans chapter 3. The Hebrew word translated “fool” does not mean an uneducated person or one lacking in mental ability. It means one who is perverse in his thinking, one who because he is morally corrupt will not permit the truth to enter his head. The atheist is like this. He believes something (the non-existence of God) not because there is proof for it, but because there is hostility in his heart toward the God he denies (read John 15:18 Romans 1:30; 8:7) in other words, he allows his base feelings to rule his thoughts (see Colossians 1:21). Atheism strikes a blow at ethics and morality (as someone has said, “If there is no God, I can do as I please”).The atheist reveals his “foolishness” in other ways as well. He believes in the non-existence of God even though it is impossible to prove this, and though there is tremendous evidence against this view. In order to believe his atheism he must ignore all of this evidence, suppress the voice of God speaking in nature and in his conscience, and reject God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible which comes with great internal evidence of its truthfulness. Observe that the fool says inwardly that there is no God. Because of his circumstances, or the society in which he lives, he may not have the courage to deny God outwardly and may even profess to be religious.

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

Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 14:2-3 – Read Psalms 53:2-3. David turns from thoughts of the corrupt nature of the atheist to thoughts of the corruption of human nature in general. Not all men will say there is no God, but because of their sinful nature they live to a large extent as if there were no God. If they really believed in God would they not try to seek Him? Would they not heartily try to do good? Since they do not, they show by their actions that their nature is corrupt and their belief in God for the most part is an empty thing. Paul used these verses to show the sinfulness and guilt of every human being (read Rom 3:9-12)

Is this description of people too harsh and pessimistic? No. It is what God sees. Notice David’s words in v 2 – “The Lord looked down from Heaven”. David could know this only by revelation from God Himself. People in their ignorance and darkness may think they see something very good in or among themselves. But God does not see as man does see 1 Samuel 16:7; Luke 16:13. And in this psalm we have God’s view, not man’s…

They have all turned aside, they have all together become corrupt. There is no one who does good, no, not one. Psalms 14:3

Are all the  evildoers without knowledge? They devour my people like they eat bread, and do not call on the LORD. Psalms 14:4

Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 14:4-5 – Those who practice evil have no understanding of the most essential thing in the world for them. The time will come when they will be overwhelmed with dread of God’s anger. Compare Revelation 6:15-17. See references on God’s anger at Psalms 90:7-11; Numbers 25:3; Deuteronomy 4:25; John 3:36 and Romans 1:18…

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

You have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge. Psalms 14:6

Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 14:6-7 In the midst of a corrupt humanity, God, the righteous One, is doing His work, bringing salvation to His chosen ones, justifying them and restoring them to a blessed state…

Is it possible that the same Hebrew words can be translated so differently? Yes, it is. See also the notes on Proverbs 19:22 below Speaking in general, some words and expressions and phrases in Hebrew can have more than one meaning. Others are obscure and ambiguous, and it is very difficult to come at the exact meaning. Some sentences are very terse and omit words we would put in when using English, and so the meaning is doubtful. In other cases there are sometimes slight variations in the spelling of words in various manuscripts. And we should understand that the Hebrew of the Old Testament is an ancient language, and in written form originally had only consonants no vowels, no punctuation marks, and often no space between words. Many hundreds of years later a group of Jewish scholars added what they thought were the right vowels to the basic consonants. Their work is called the Masoretic Text, and it is the text used in the translation of the Old Testament for hundreds of years. No doubt they did their work remarkably accurately, but there is no reason to think that it was absolutely perfect. And if, here and there, they made mistakes in adding vowels, this can give meanings different from the ones the original writer intended.

We are very fortunate to have so ancient a book that on the whole is so remarkably clear as to meaning. We should understand that our almighty God fully inspired the original writings of the Bible (see 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:21).

What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar. Proverbs 19:22

Note and Biblical Scripture References on Proverbs 19:22 “KINDNESS”– or the Hebrew could also be translated “WHAT A MAN DESIRES IS UNFAILING LOVE” or even “a MAN’S GREED IS HIS SHAME”. But is it possible that the same Hebrew words can give such widely different meanings? In this case, the answer is, yes. The Hebrew word translated here “KINDNESS” also means love, goodness, and faithfulness. But it also means reproach or shame. So it could be translated “greedily desires” or “lusts” or “greed” (what a person greedily desires or lusts after may be called his greed). See some of the difficulties encountered in translation at Psalms 14:6-7.

“A POOR MAN IS BETTER THAN A LIAR”– see Proverbs 15:16; 16:8; 28:6 – a thousand times better! A liar sins against God, is doing something God hates, and is in danger of terrible punishment (see Revelation 21:8). The poverty of a poor man who trusts in Christ is only temporary, and at death he will enter into an eternal rich inheritance with God. Many are placed in positions where this choice between poverty and lying must be made. Alas that then so many start practicing lying and deception to get money. We should tremble for the future of such persons…

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD brings back his people from captivity, Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be glad.Psalms 14:7

Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 14:7 – “BRINGS BACK…FROM CAPTIVITY”- the phrase in Hebrew also means “RESTORES THE WELL BEING OF”.

Your watchmen will raise their voices; with their voices they will sing together, for when the LORD restores Zion they will see it with their own eyes. Isaiah 52:8

He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalms 23:3

Note and Biblical Scripture References on Psalms 23:3 – As long as believers are in this world they will have times of weariness and trial. They will be sometimes cast down and tempted to faint. At such times the Shepherd draws near and restores and refreshes the soul. He leads only in the paths of righteousness, never in crooked ways, never in the broad way of deception, ungodliness, and sin. If you have gone in a bad way, a way that involved you in lies, or breaking the law, or in unjust behavior, do not boast that the good Shepherd has led you there. This He will never do. His name and the glory of His Father are bound up with His sheep. He will always lead them in ways of truth justice and honesty. Amen! 🙏

With love and honor in our Lord Jesus Christ, our wonderful dear caring Saviour and Redeemer in who we faithfully abide, trust, believe and abundantly do receive throughout His marvelous, righteous Word, and truth fulfilling Holy Spirit ✝️🔥👑🙏🕊️

💫 Emmanuel 💫