Click here to read PSALM 14 in poetic form.
Background
This Psalm shows how low a person can go without God. Those who say “There is no God,” go aside, become corrupt, and do nothing good (verses 1-3). In the midst of such corruption and evil is man’s one hope—the Messiah. He is the salvation from God. David’s prayer is that “the salvation of Israel,” who is the Messiah, would come. The result is rejoicing and gladness (verse 7). Jesus Christ would have read this Psalm with great joy at what he would accomplish. That joy helped him to endure those who say there is no God (Hebrews 12:2).
Structure
(Verse 1) The fool who does not acknowledge God
(Verses 2-3) The Lord sees their evil
(Verse 4) The workers of iniquity do not call on God
(Verses 5-7) The Lord sees and sends the Messiah
Key Scriptures
Verse 1—“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” This is still true today.
Verses 1-3—This section is quoted in Romans 3:10-12, where it is proven of “both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.” It is only through the Messiah, Jesus Christ, that salvation comes to any person. That is the conclusion of this Psalm, and the conclusion of Romans 3—5: “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (5:21).
Verse 6—“Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.” The “poor” can mean the one who is oppressed. The word “refuge” means hope or shelter. Jesus Christ was oppressed, and his counsel was often rejected by the evil men of his time. Yet his Father continued to be a refuge and shelter for him (John 8:29; 16:32).
Verse 7—“the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people.” God did this through Jesus Christ (Luke 4:18; Ephesians 4:8).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
