Psalm 14

Read Psalm 14 ESV

You may notice this psalm meditation seems out of sequence.  Because of the similarities between Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 I decided to publish them close to each other for the benefit of those who wish to compare them.

Who - David is the author.  Who he is speaking to is unclear.

What - David is lamenting the deeds of the evil-doers.  He is describing their heart attitude, which is no fear or concern for the LORD.  The content and message of this psalm is very similar to Psalm 53.   Read Psalm 53 Meditation here.

When - Unknown

Where - Unknown

Why - It appears David's primary purpose is to express his sorrow and anguish at the deeds of the evildoers and the effects their deeds have  upon their victims.  He makes his hope in the future deliverance of the LORD.  

How - David opens with the heart attitude of the evildoer and the fool, “There is no God.”  David goes on to describe these fools as corrupt and none of them do good deeds.  Why should they?  They have no law or judge to fear, they only have their own wants to guide them.  David uses the second stanza to describe a heavenly scene.  While these fools are pretending there is no God, the LORD is looking down from heaven to see if any of them seek Him.  David gives the answer in the third stanza.  None of these fools seek or fear the LORD.  They are fully corrupt doing no good.  

In the fourth stanza David asks a rhetorical question, “Have they no knowledge?”  Of course the answer is no, these fools have no knowledge of the LORD.  They may very well be bright, intelligent and ingenious men, but they have no knowledge of the LORD.  I think of the Nazis when I think of these kind of men.  In the fifth stanza David describes the intervention of the LORD.  The evildoers are in great terror when they realize their plans have turned back upon them.  There is also great terror when they realize there is a God and he has come for them!  I would never want to be in that position.  Revelation 19 describes what happens to those who deny God exists and live like he does not exist.  

The last stanza ends the song with a coming day of deliverance.  Often in these kinds of psalms David speaks of the LORD’S deliverance in the past tense, telling after the fact the LORD delivered.  This time he speaks in the future tense looking for it.  When it happens, then the people of God will be able to rejoice.  

So What 

1. When we see the pain and destruction brought about by evil men, we too can cry out to the LORD with our sorrow and anguish.  He hears and feels the same sorrow and anguish.  
2. Remember all evil and wickedness starts with some denial of God's existence.  Whether it is his existence or one of his attributes (like justice, holiness or moral standards.)  The fool says in his heart, “He does not exist, therefore I am free to do as I please.”  Or, “He does not really judge or uphold justice.”  
3. When we consciously choose to sin we are the fool who says, “There is no God.”  We may not succumb to wickedness to the same degree as those David is describing, but we deny something about God by our choice.  
4. Jesus is our salvation.  Jesus saves us from being the fool who says in his heart, “There is no God.”  Jesus saves us from the effects of denying God’s existence, His judgment taken on the Cross.  Jesus saves us from the injustice done to us by being the judge who punishes the unrepentant evildoer.  
5. While the LORD often brings justice in this life to the evildoers, the fulfillment of verse seven is the future day of the LORD when he brings his justice for all of time.  It is completed at the great white throne judgment (Rev 20).