Focused Passage

Psalms 14:1-3

Human Corruption, Divine Examination, and Salvation from Zion

The psalm moves from the fool’s denial of God and universal corruption, to the LORD’s heavenly examination of humanity, to the terror of evildoers who oppose God’s people, and finally to a longing for salvation from Zion that will restore Jacob’s joy.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

For the choirmaster. Of David.

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.

2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.

3 All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Cross-references

Psalms 53 BSB references Isaiah 59 BSB references Romans 3:9 BSB references Psalms 14:3 Classic cross-references Romans 3:10 Classic cross-references Psalms 10:4 Classic cross-references Psalms 53:1 Classic cross-references Genesis 6:5 Classic cross-references

Original words

The fool נָבָ֣ל H5036 Adjective - masculine singular says אָ֘מַ֤ר H559 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular in his heart בְּ֭לִבּוֹ H3820 Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular [There is] no אֵ֣ין H369 Adverb God אֱלֹהִ֑ים H430 Noun - masculine plural They are corrupt הִֽשְׁחִ֗יתוּ H7843 Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural their acts עֲלִילָ֗ה H5949 Noun - feminine singular are vile הִֽתְעִ֥יבוּ H8581 Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural There is no אֵ֣ין H369 Adverb one who does עֹֽשֵׂה־ H6213 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct good טֽוֹב׃ H2896 Noun - masculine singular

BSB notes

The Hebrew words rendered fool throughout the Psalms denote one who is morally deficient.

Verse 2

Cross-references

Isaiah 55:6 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 10:14 Classic cross-references Romans 3:11 Classic cross-references Hebrews 11:6 Classic cross-references Psalms 33:13 Classic cross-references

Original words

The LORD יְֽהוָ֗ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular looks down הִשְׁקִ֪יף H8259 Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular from heaven מִשָּׁמַיִם֮ H8064 Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural upon עַֽל־ H5921 Preposition the sons בְּנֵי־ H1121 Noun - masculine plural construct of men אָ֫דָ֥ם H120 Noun - masculine singular to see לִ֭רְאוֹת H7200 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct if any הֲיֵ֣שׁ H3426 Adverb understand מַשְׂכִּ֑יל H7919 Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular if any seek דֹּ֝רֵשׁ H1875 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker God אֱלֹהִֽים׃ H430 Noun - masculine plural

Verse 3

Cross-references

Romans 3:10 Classic cross-references Isaiah 53:6 Classic cross-references Isaiah 64:6 Classic cross-references Romans 3:23 Classic cross-references Psalms 14:1 Classic cross-references

Original words

All הַכֹּ֥ל H3605 Article | Noun - masculine singular have turned away סָר֮ H5493 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular they have together יַחְדָּ֪ו H3162 Adverb become corrupt נֶ֫אֱלָ֥חוּ H444 Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural there is no אֵ֤ין H369 Adverb one who does עֹֽשֵׂה־ H6213 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct good ט֑וֹב H2896 Noun - masculine singular not אֵ֝֗ין H369 Adverb even גַּם־ H1571 Conjunction one אֶחָֽד׃ H259 Number - masculine singular

BSB notes

LXX worthless
Cited in Romans 3:10–12

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