---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 14"
description: "PSALM 14   :-. The practical atheism and total and universal depravity
of the wicked, with their hatred to the good, are set forth. Yet, as
they dread God"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/14"
---

PSALM 14

. The practical atheism and total and universal depravity
of the wicked, with their hatred to the good, are set forth. Yet, as
they dread God's judgments when He vindicates His people, the
Psalmist prays for His delivering power.

**1.** Sinners are termed "fools,"
because they think and act contrary to right reason ([Genesis 34:7](../../../kjv/genesis/34/7);
[Joshua 7:15](../../../kjv/joshua/7/15); [Psalms 39:8](../../../kjv/psalms/39/8);
[Psalms 74:18](../../../kjv/psalms/74/18); [Psalms 74:22](../../../kjv/psalms/74/22)).
**in his heart**—to himself
([Genesis 6:12](../../../kjv/genesis/6/12)).

**2. looked**—in earnest enquiry.
**understand**—as opposed
to "fool" [[Psalms 14:1](../../../kjv/psalms/14/1)].

**3. filthy**—literally,
"spoiled," or, "soured," "corrupted"
([Job 15:16](../../../kjv/job/15/16); [Romans 3:12](../../../kjv/romans/3/12)).

**4-6.** Their conduct evinces
indifference rather than ignorance of God; for when He appears in
judgment, they are stricken with great fear.
**who eat up my people**—to
express their beastly fury ([Proverbs 30:14](../../../kjv/proverbs/30/14);
[Habakkuk 3:14](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/14)). To "call on the
Lord" is to worship Him.

**7. captivity**—denotes any great
evil.
**Zion**—God's abode, from
which He revealed His purposes of mercy, as He now does by the Church
(compare [Psalms 3:4](../../../kjv/psalms/3/4); [Psalms 20:2](../../../kjv/psalms/20/2)),
and which He rules and in which He does all other things for the good
of His people ([Ephesians 1:22](../../../kjv/ephesians/1/22)).

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