Psalm 14, The Fool (& Corruption)

For the director of music. Of David.

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

The Hebrew word (nabal?) translated "fool", indicates an assertive defiance, says Kidner.  Alter translates it as "scoundrel."   The first verse is not a statement about intellectual ability but about arrogance.  (The NIV footnote says, "The Hebrew words rendered fool in Psalms denote one who is morally deficient.")

Note the strong contrast between the confident, even scolding, opening of this psalm and the first verse of the previous psalm, Psalm 13!

Verse 3 is quoted in Romans 3:12.  In that passage (Romans 3:10-18) Paul argues that this is a trait common to all humanity.  As a result of the fall, all humanity (including people hiding within religious activities!) are seeking their own power and control.

Will evildoers never learn-- those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD?

There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.

You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.

As in many psalms (and much of the Old Testament) there is an emphasis on justice, on defending the oppressed.  David angrily denounces those who, in their arrogance, "devour" his people.  God will act, says David!

I am reminded of an old phrase, used in rural Russia and, at one point, in Alaska: "God is in His heaven and the Tsar is far away."  In other words, all authority is far away and we can act without fear of consequence or punishment.  David's words are intended to confront this belief.

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

What does the term "salvation" mean in verse 7?  (It is much more general than the evangelistic "salvation" of Christian circles!)

Since David is concerned about justice, he is also concerned about Israel.  Like many psalms, this ends with a turn towards national concerns.  (This is an Old Testament concept, not a New Testament one.  David was eventually king of Israel and could mix concerns for "God's people" with concerns for his personal safety.)

Note: this psalm is repeated as psalm 53, with minor differences around verse 5 and 6.

For next time, read Psalm 15.   Here are some questions on Psalm 15:

     List the attributes of the godly person according to this psalm.

     Why are these attributes important?  Do any surprise you?

     Do you believe the last sentence?  (Don't the righteous suffer?)

     Do you see in this psalm the "two commandments" of Jesus (Matthew 22: 36-40)

I will post on Psalm 15 on Sunday, June 21, 2015.