1.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
Title. Maschil = Instruction (the sixth of thirteen Psalms so named. See note on Title, Psalms 32 , and App-65 , as to the faction of the Tyrant of Psalms 52 . This Psalm for public use. See note at end. Hence Elohim ( App-4 ), the Creator in relation to His creatures. A partial repetition of Psalms 14 , which was not for public use (as Psalms 53 was); therefore Jehovah (David's God) there, and Elohim (the creature's Creator) here.
fool. May not this refer to Nabal? God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . I. Seven times in this Psalm. In Psalms 14 three times Elohim, and four timesJehovah. Elohim more characteristic of the second (or Exodus) book.
iniquity. In Psalms 14 , Hebrew 'alilah = doing; here, 'aval = deceit. App-44 . There is none, &c. Quoted in Romans 3:1-12 .
2.
God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3.
Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
God. Hebrew 'eth 'Elohim (Objective). App-4 . Note the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ), by which this verse is marked off as containing universal instruction, beginning and ending with the same word "God".
children of men = sons of Adam. App-14 .
that did understand. Hebrew. Maschil. See note on Title.
4.
Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
the workers. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "all the workers".
iniquity. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .
5.
There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
For God hath scattered. This is an addition to Psalms 14 .
despised them. Here, the wicked are in question. In Psalms 14:5 , the righteous.
6.
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Oh. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6 .
salvation = great salvation, plural of majesty. But some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read singular.
Zion. See App-68 .
God. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "Jehovah".
Jacob . . . Israel: i.e. both natural and spiritual seed. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 . To the chief Musician. This Psalm was edited for public use; hence the title Elohim. See notes above.
on = relating to.
Neginoth = smitings: referring to God's smitings with words and acts. See Psalms 53:5 , which differs from Psalms 14:5-6 . See App-65 .