Psalms

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PSALM 14^*

A Lament over Widespread Corruption

1For the leader. Of David.

I

The fool says in his heart,

“There is no God.”

Their deeds are loathsome and corrupt;

not one does what is good.^a

2The LORD looks down from heaven

upon the children of men,^b

To see if even one is wise,

if even one seeks God.^c

3All have gone astray;

all alike are perverse.

Not one does what is good,

not even one.^d

II

4Will these evildoers never learn?

They devour my people as they devour bread;^e

they do not call upon the LORD.^f

5They have good reason, then, to fear;

God is with the company of the just.

6They would crush the hopes of the poor,

but the poor have the LORD as their refuge.

III

7^gOh, that from Zion might come

the salvation of Israel!

Jacob would rejoice, and Israel be glad

when the LORD restores his people!^*

* [Psalm 14] The lament (duplicated in Ps 53) depicts the world as consisting of two types of people: “the fool” (equals the wicked, Ps 14:1–3) and “the company of the just” (Ps 14:4–6; also called “my people,” and “the poor”). The wicked persecute the just, but the Psalm expresses the hope that God will punish the wicked and reward the good.

* [14:7] Jacobâ€¦Israelâ€¦his people: the righteous poor are identified with God’s people.

a. [14:1] Ps 10:4; 36:2; Is 32:6; Jer 5:12.

b. [14:2–3] Rom 3:11–12.

c. [14:2] Ps 11:4; 102:20.

d. [14:3] Ps 12:1.

e. [14:4] Ps 27:2; Is 9:11.

f. [14:4] Ps 79:6.

g. [14:7] Ps 85:2.