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Psalm 14

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

Only fools say in their hearts,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
    not one of them does good!

The Lord looks down from heaven
    on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
    if anyone seeks God.
But no, all have turned away;
    all have become corrupt.[a]
No one does good,
    not a single one!

Will those who do evil never learn?
    They eat up my people like bread
    and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.
Terror will grip them,
    for God is with those who obey him.
The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
    but the Lord will protect his people.

Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?
    When the Lord restores his people,
    Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Footnotes

  1. 14:3 Greek version reads have become useless. Compare Rom 3:12.

To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.

The Fool and God’s Response

14 Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.”
    They are corrupt and commit evil deeds;
        not one of them practices what is good.

The Lord looks down from the heavens upon humanity[a]
    to see if anyone shows discernment as he searches for God.
All have turned away,
    together they have become corrupt;
        no one practices what is good, not even one.

Will those who do evil ever learn?
    They devour my people like they devour bread,
        and never call on the Lord.
There they are seized with terror,
    because God is with those who are[b] righteous.

You would frustrate the plans of the oppressed,[c]
    but the Lord is their refuge.
May Israel’s deliverance come from Zion!
    When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
        Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be glad.[d]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 14:2 Lit. upon the sons of Adam
  2. Psalm 14:5 Lit. with the generation of the
  3. Psalm 14:6 Or the poor
  4. Psalm 14:7 Cf. Ps 53:1-6