This Psalm does not have a particular title. C.H. Spurgeon proposes "Concerning Practical Atheism" (see Spurgeon commentary). I think the definition in this Psalm of "atheism" is broader than we would typically define it, that is, one who does not identify with any religion nor believe in any type of god. I think this Psalm defines an "atheist" as one who does not believe in God in word but also additionally in deed, so that despite whatever they may say, the hypocrisy of their actions (and therefore of their hearts) declares their true identity and enmity with God.
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is none who does good.
(Psalms 14:1 ESV)
The commentators in Spurgeon's commentary come up with different interpretations of who "God" is in the first line. Spurgeon contends that man has no problem with "God" as such but with "God" as to one whom he must give account (id). Others take a more inclusive approach. I am inclined to agree with Spurgeon and as stated previously I believe this informs our understanding of how the Lord would define an atheist. If we profess ourselves as Christians but do not obey the Lord then we are effectively atheists, for our circumcision is not of the heart (Romans 2:29).
How would we typically define a fool? As one without knowledge. So one who denies the existence of God is without knowledge, first of God but as a result of all of God's creation. If you do not believe in God you do not understand the world nor do you understand yourself and so you are a fool.
And how does one the fool make himself known? By his "abominable deeds." But what of the true Christians who do "good" works? Well, as Origen indicates we should learn humility for our good works are not our own but are in Christ Jesus, without whom we lack all righteousness, so that this Psalm's statement "there is none who does good" stands as true both before and after Christ's resurrection (see Andrew Willet note in id).
The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.
(Psalms 14:2-3 ESV)
Not even one. There is a trend throughout various periods of the bible (the Flood, the time of Judges, The Books of Kings) where a righteous man is raised up initially to set things aright and then society slowly falls into gradual and seemingly inevitable decay and degradation, until it would appear that no good man is left. It must be terrible for the Lord to continue to witness these cycles of destruction again and again. Thankfully through Jesus Christ we have been saved, but the reason we needed him to die on the cross and be resurrected is because there was never a good man on earth at any time before (or after) Christ whose righteousness could redeem all of humanity, not one without sin. Therefore, the Lord had to send his only begotten son. Praise the Lord for his mercy.
Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers,
who eat up my people as they eat bread
and do not call upon the Lord?
(Psalms 14:4 ESV)
One question that comes to mind for me is why do the evildoers seek with such hunger the lives of the godly? As one commentator notes they are irrationally driven to persecute the saints (see Lewis Stuckley notes in Spurgeon). Herodias gave up half a kingdom for the head of one man who was already in prison and Haman gave his own money to murder all the Jews (although perhaps at least in part so he could then plunder their wealth) (id). Why? One answer is because they are driven to it by their father the Devil, who has made enmity with the people of God and I agree. But the word "eat" has certain connotations, as if they are actually sustained and nourished by the destruction of God's people. I'm not exactly sure but it is almost as if they will starve to death or suffer greatly in some spiritual way if they don't persecute the godly. Perhaps this explains somewhat their zeal for persecution.
There they are in great terror,
for God is with the generation of the righteous.
You would shame the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is his refuge.
(Psalms 14:5-6 ESV)
God will instill fear in the hearts of our persecutors and as Gideon scattered an army of over 100,000 Midianites with only 300 men because the Lord was with them (Judges 7:17-22) so too he will do to those who persecute the godly, for the Lord is their refuge.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
(Psalms 15:7 ESV)
Lord I pray that you would hasten the day of Christ's return that we may rejoice!
*ESV=English Standard Version
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is none who does good.
(Psalms 14:1 ESV)
The commentators in Spurgeon's commentary come up with different interpretations of who "God" is in the first line. Spurgeon contends that man has no problem with "God" as such but with "God" as to one whom he must give account (id). Others take a more inclusive approach. I am inclined to agree with Spurgeon and as stated previously I believe this informs our understanding of how the Lord would define an atheist. If we profess ourselves as Christians but do not obey the Lord then we are effectively atheists, for our circumcision is not of the heart (Romans 2:29).
How would we typically define a fool? As one without knowledge. So one who denies the existence of God is without knowledge, first of God but as a result of all of God's creation. If you do not believe in God you do not understand the world nor do you understand yourself and so you are a fool.
And how does one the fool make himself known? By his "abominable deeds." But what of the true Christians who do "good" works? Well, as Origen indicates we should learn humility for our good works are not our own but are in Christ Jesus, without whom we lack all righteousness, so that this Psalm's statement "there is none who does good" stands as true both before and after Christ's resurrection (see Andrew Willet note in id).
The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.
(Psalms 14:2-3 ESV)
Not even one. There is a trend throughout various periods of the bible (the Flood, the time of Judges, The Books of Kings) where a righteous man is raised up initially to set things aright and then society slowly falls into gradual and seemingly inevitable decay and degradation, until it would appear that no good man is left. It must be terrible for the Lord to continue to witness these cycles of destruction again and again. Thankfully through Jesus Christ we have been saved, but the reason we needed him to die on the cross and be resurrected is because there was never a good man on earth at any time before (or after) Christ whose righteousness could redeem all of humanity, not one without sin. Therefore, the Lord had to send his only begotten son. Praise the Lord for his mercy.
Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers,
who eat up my people as they eat bread
and do not call upon the Lord?
(Psalms 14:4 ESV)
One question that comes to mind for me is why do the evildoers seek with such hunger the lives of the godly? As one commentator notes they are irrationally driven to persecute the saints (see Lewis Stuckley notes in Spurgeon). Herodias gave up half a kingdom for the head of one man who was already in prison and Haman gave his own money to murder all the Jews (although perhaps at least in part so he could then plunder their wealth) (id). Why? One answer is because they are driven to it by their father the Devil, who has made enmity with the people of God and I agree. But the word "eat" has certain connotations, as if they are actually sustained and nourished by the destruction of God's people. I'm not exactly sure but it is almost as if they will starve to death or suffer greatly in some spiritual way if they don't persecute the godly. Perhaps this explains somewhat their zeal for persecution.
There they are in great terror,
for God is with the generation of the righteous.
You would shame the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is his refuge.
(Psalms 14:5-6 ESV)
God will instill fear in the hearts of our persecutors and as Gideon scattered an army of over 100,000 Midianites with only 300 men because the Lord was with them (Judges 7:17-22) so too he will do to those who persecute the godly, for the Lord is their refuge.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
(Psalms 15:7 ESV)
Lord I pray that you would hasten the day of Christ's return that we may rejoice!
*ESV=English Standard Version
