Psalms 14

Psalms 14:1-2

This psalm contains a description of the corruption of mankind in general, as well as David’s enemies in particular; in which were

it is quoted, Rom. iii. 10. The streams of wickedness the former psalms laid open in the characters of the ungodly; here the fountains of the great deep are broken up, and we are led to fix the apoplate nature of man. Here is, 1. A charge exhibited against a wicked world, ver. 1. 2. The proof of the charge, ver. 2. 3. 3. A serious capitulation with sinners, especially with persecutors, upon it, ver. 4-6. 4. A prayer for Israel’s salvation, ver. 7.

To the chief musician, A psalm of David.

1. “THE fool hath said in his heart, There is no God: ’they are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doth good. 2. ‘The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men; to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3. They are all gone aside, ’they are all together become + filthy: there is none that doth good, no not one.

However outward sins may shock the conscience, no man can truly be emptied of himself, or be led to self-defpair, till God opens to him the plague of his heart, and makes him for the desperate wickedness of a fallen nature. This is here done.

1. The heart of the fool is laid open. The fool, or the sinner, (for sin is the foolishness of folly), hath said in his heart, There is no God. Few are abandoned enough to dare snow adscion in principle; but every sinner feels it his interest there should be no God, wishes there might be none, and would fain persuade himself there is none; no God to judge, no hell to torment. Note, (1.) If our thoughts were as open as our countenances, we should startle at each other as monsters. (2.) All sin in practice, proceeds from a measure of rebellion in principle.

2. The ways of men correspond to their nature: corrupt are they, or they do corrupt: they are such in themselves, their nature utterly defiled, being conceived and born in sin, and their inward parts very wickedness; and they corrupt others, provoke, stir up, and draw out the corruption that is in the hearts of sinners like themselves. They have done abominable work, there is none that doth good; their practice corresponds to their principles; for who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? And,

3. This is the case universally; not in one place, or one age, but uniformly the same in every place, in every man, in every age; so God testifies on the view of all mankind, when the Lord looked down from heaven. The fool said, There is no God, or he caneth not for it; he hideth away his face, and will never for the evil: but God’s eyes are upon the children of men, to fix if there were any that did understand the ways of truth and righteousness, and seek God, the knowledge of him and his will. But what a fearful account doth the God of truth, that cannot lie, the God of conscience, that cannot err, give of the State of man: They are all gone aside with universal apology; they have foreseen the path of duty and holiness; they are all together become filthy, or putrid; loathsome and offensive to the Divine purity, as a dead carcass in our nostrils. There is none that doth good, no not one; not a single exception can be found among all the sons of men: they are one man’s children; and, as descendants of a fallen parent, a seed of evil doers. Note, (1.) By nature there is no difference between one man and another; though in outward transgression there may be much, in inward spottage there is none. (2.) If there be any good wrought in us, or done by us, we are indebted for it solely to the sovereign and saving grace of God.

4. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. 5. There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. 6. You have shamed the counsel of the poor; because the LORD is his refuge. 7. O that the salvation of Israel were came out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Psalms 14:4-7

We have here,

1. The Lord expressing his admiration at the abounding wickedness. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge of their sin and danger? or, as affirming that they have knowledge, and therefore fixed more inexcusable in acting against it. Note, The most wicked men find an exceeding conscience, sufficient to leave them without excuse in the day of God.

2. Three things he charges upon them, (1.) Oppression, cruel and malicious. They eat up my people as they eat bread; him and devour them, and with as much pleasure as the hungry man eatseth. (2.) Neglect of prayer: and call not upon God.

We have here,

than which there cannot be a fairer mark of the unshabud power of corruption in the heart. (3.) Contempt and ridicule of godliness in others: ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge; have attempted to make him ashamed of his confidence, and to banter him out of his religion. Note, It is an advanced height of impiety, when men not only cast off godliness themselves, but set their wits at work to make God’s people appear abshud and foolish, and to discourage the heart of the poor and humble believer.

3. The terrors of the wicked, notwithstanding all their bravery and affeeling to despise God’s threatenings, will often fallen upon their consciences; there were they in great fear: in the midst of their career of wickedness, deep and pungent remorse will be felt; for God is in the generation of the righteous; their friend to protect them, and confound all that have them. Note, (1.) If God be for us, no matter who are against us. (2.) The most happy and joyous sinner has his secret pangs, that none know but himself.

4. The psalm of concludes with a devour with: O that the salvation of Israel were came out of Zion! especially that Redeemer who should turn away ungodliness from Jacob, and bring a cure for the desperate disease of human corruption: who is the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people by the powerful agency of his Son, manifested to destroy the works of the devil, and to set the captives of sin free; then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad; his redeemed people shall rejoice in their present salvation begun; and then joy shall be said by be full, when he shall appear to destroy all his enemies and theirs, and complete their final salvation in eternal glory.