The Book of Psalms

Psalm 14

Psalm XIV · Vol. II, p. 994

1 David describeth the corruption of a natural man. 4 He convinceth the wicked by the light of their conscience. 7 He glorieth in the salvation of God.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

To the chief musician, A psalm of David.

1 THE fool ^ahath said in his heart, There is no God. ^bThey are corrupt; they have done abominable works; there is none that doeth good.

a Ps.10.4; 53.1.

b Ps.53.1-5; cvi.; 36.1-4. Tit.1.16. Mat.12.34; 15.19. Je.17.9. Ge.6.5. Job 14.4. Ro.1.21-31. Ep.2.1-3.

2 The ^cLORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

c Ps.11.4; 33.13. Ge.6.12. Ro.3.10-19.

3 They are all ^dgone aside; they are all together become ¹filthy; ^ethere is none that doeth good, no, not one.

d Ec.7.29. Je.2.13. Ro.3.23.

1 Heb. stinking, Is.1.6; 64.6. Ps.38.5.

e Ro.3.10. Ep.2.1-3. Tit.3.3. 2 Pe.2.13-15.

4 Have^g all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who ^heat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

g Is.27.11. 2 Co.4.3,4. Ep.4.17,18. Ro.10.2,3.

h Am.8.4. Mi.3.1-3. Eze.34.2. Je.10.25.

5 Thereⁱ were they in great fear:² for ^jGod is in the generation of the righteous.³

i Ps.53.5.

2 Heb. they feared a fear.

j Is.41.10; 43.1,2. Ps.24.6; 73.15; 112.2; 22.30.

3 Righteous, that is, believers 'justified by faith,' Ro.5.1, and so, 'by the obedience of one made righteous,' Ro.5.19. There is no other 'generation of the righteous,' but those who are thus 'the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus,' Ga.3.26.—C.

6 Ye have ^kshamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.

k Ps.22.7,8; 9.9. Is.37.10; 25.4. Eze.35.10.

7 Oh that⁴ the ^lsalvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD ⁿbringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

4 Heb. who will give, &c.

l Ps.25.22; 130.8. Is.45.17. Zec.9.9. Lu.2.10,11. Ro.11.26.

n Job 42.10,11. Ps.126.1,2.

Notes

Reflections.—How desperately wicked are human hearts! If all their thoughts were manifested, how horrible and shameful the sight! Atheism in heart is the source of all our corruption in life! Men are very similar in sin, particularly in inward corruption. And there is great reason to bless God for the riches of his grace, if anything good is implanted in us by his Spirit. How absurdly, and against conscience, must men act when they eat up with pleasure, hate, reproach, persecute, and oppress the people of God, or neglect prayer to him! Or when they attempt to shame and banter poor saints out of their religion and dependence on him! But if God be for us, who can be against us? Secret terrors shall apprehend our most jovial persecutors. How fervent are right desires for salvation through Christ; and how ravishing our enjoyment of it! For now is come Jesus, and his salvation and strength! Let Jews and Gentiles magnify the Lord, and rejoice in God their Saviour.