Psalms 14

To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. This Psalm (which was composed, as the foregoing, by David, and delivered by him to the master of music in the tabernacle) may probably refer, though it be not in the title expressed, to the universal apostacy of the people, in the rebellion of Absalom, from the allegiance they owed to him, and from the duty they owed to God.

Psalms 14:1

JL HE fool hath said in his heart, Tliere is no God. They are corrupt; they have doitz abominable tvorks; there is none that doeth good. Though the wicked are not yet so impudent, as openly to deny God with their mouths, yet such is their abominable filthiness, so shameless are they in their wickedness, so universally depraved, that their secret thoughts sure are, God takes no notice what they do, or that he will not judge them for it.

Psalms 14:2

The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 13ut let them know that he exactly observes them; and that all the ways of the sons of men are naked and bare before his eyes: though, alas! there is nothing now to be seen but ignorance and contempt of his majesty.

Psalms 14:3

They are all gone aside, they are altogether become filthy; thereisnone that doeth good, no, not one. The whole nation hath lost all sense of their duty; and, like a body without a spirit, is so rotten and putrefied, that it is hard to find so much as one that hath any sense of goodness in him. t. 4 • *

Psalms 14:4

Have all the ivorkers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat break, and call not upon the Lord. Strange! that they should all be thus senseless; as not only to injure and oppress my poor innocent people, but to he cruel and void of all pity towards them, and to throw off likewise all religion.

Psalms 14:5

Tliere were they in great fear: for God is in tlie generation of the righteous. What a terror will it be to them to see the Divine vengeance seize on them, when they think themselves t most secure? for he, who is the righteous judge, will not desert those who are faithful to him, but graciously deliver them. Ver.G. You have shamed the counsel of the poor; because the Lord is his refuge.] Your confusion, O ye atheistical fools, will be the greater; because you mocked and jeered at that poor despicable party of men, who resolved to adhere to piety and virtuous loyalty, and to wait patiently upon jGod, and trust in him alone for safety: -*

Psalms 14:7

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. Who is mighty to save, whatsoever you think, and resides by a Special token of his presence in Mount Zion. Oh that it might please him to send us deliverance from thence, and to restore us again to the happy enjoyment of that place, from whence we arc banished! it would turn our sad lamentations into the most cheerful thanksgivings; and fill not only Judah, but all the tribes of Israel, with joy and gladness. (2 Sam. xix. 9, &c.)