Overview

The sentiments of atheists and deists, who deny the doctrine of a Divine providence. Their character: they are corrupt, foolish, abominable, and cruel, Psalm 14:1-4. God fills them with terror, Psalm 14:5; reproaches them for their oppression of the poor, Psalm 14:6. The psalmist prays for the restoration of Israel, Psalm 14:7

Adam Clarke Commentary

Psalm 14 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Fool Says, There Is No God

To the choirmaster. Of David.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
    They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
    there is none who does good.

² The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
    to see if there are any who understand,
    who seek after God.

³ They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
    there is none who does good,
    not even one.

⁴ Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
    who eat up my people as they eat bread
    and do not call upon the Lord?

⁵ There they are in great terror,
    for God is with the generation of the righteous.
⁶ You would shame the plans of the poor,
    but the Lord is his refuge.

⁷ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
    let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

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Poetry by Isaac Watts based on PSALM 14

PART 1

By Nature all men are sinners.

Fools in their heart believe and say
“That all religion’s vain;
There is no God that reigns on high,
Or minds th’ affairs of men.”

From thoughts so dreadful and profane,
Corrupt discourse proceeds;
And in their impious hands are found
Abominable deeds.

The Lord from his celestial throne
Looked down on things below,
To find the man that sought his grace,
Or did his justice know.

By nature all are gone astray,
Their practice all the same;
There’s none that fears his Maker’s hand;
There’s none that loves his name.

Their tongues are used to speak deceit,
Their slanders never cease;
How swift to mischief are their feet,
Nor know the paths of peace!

Such seeds of sin (that bitter root)
In every heart are found;
Nor can they bear diviner fruit,
Till grace refine the ground.

PART 2

The folly of persecutors.

Are sinners now so senseless grown
That they the saints devour?
And never worship at thy throne,
Nor fear thine awful power?

Great God! appear to their surprise;
Reveal thy dreadful name;
Let them no more thy wrath despise,
Nor turn our hope to shame.

Dost thou not dwell among the just?
And yet our foes deride,
That we should make thy name our trust;
Great God! confound their pride.

O that the joyful day were come
To finish our distress!
When God shall bring his children home
Our songs shall never cease.

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Prayer for yourself, agnostics and atheists on your prayer list…

• Father, give us wisdom to know in our heart that you are God of the entire universe
• It is you that have made us and not we ourselves
• Forgive us for our corrupt and abominable deeds; if we deny you there is nothing that we do that is truly good
• Look down from heaven and give us the desire to seek after you
• Open our eyes to the great and awe-inspiring love that you have for us
• You will restore your people who have been downtrodden and mocked
• Save us in your kingdom we pray

Amen

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Reflection

This is a prayer for ourselves and many people we know.

At times believers act as if there is no God by our actions, words and thoughts. Like Peter, we have denied Christ. We take the time today to ask for forgiveness for grieving our Father in Heaven who loves and made us and, gave us Son to die for us. Like Peter, we are forgiven.

There are, of course, many we know who say in their heart that there is no God. We lift them up in special prayer today.