The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
This psalm is probably altered by David from his 53rd Psalm, to fit it for the liturgy of the sanctuary. Hence, he omits whatever in Psalms 53:1-6 was more fitted for private than for public use. Instead of the general name 'Elohiym (H430), the Creator, he substitutes the special name Yahweh (H3068), the Fulfiller of His covenant with His people. The "Maschil" instruction in the title of Psalms 53:1-6 is omitted in Psalms 14:1-7; Psalms 53:1-6, is an instructive warning to the wicked. Psalms 14:1-7 is to comfort the righteous amidst abounding wickedness.
Psalms 14:1-7.-The universality of man's apostasy (Psalms 14:1-3); suicidal blindness of the workers of iniquity; great fear overtakes them; Yahweh, His poor people's refuge (Psalms 14:4-6); prayer for Israel's joyful deliverance (Psalms 14:7).
The fool hath said - not merely, he is a fool who saith there is no God, but, the whole world is full of the FOOLS who say so. х naabaal (H5036), from a root to wither: one of withered intellect. Contrast Psalms 1:3, the leaf of the godly "shall not wither," the same Hebrew root].
Hath said in his heart. From the fountain-head of evil, the heart, the evil passes to the understanding. Then comes its manifestation in deeds. Scripture calls things by their right names. Sin, however gilded over with seeming sagacity and success, is according to the Word of God "folly," and the worldly-wise sinner a "fool."
There is no God. Not many say this in so many words; but it is the secret thought (because it is the wish) of their "heart."
They are corrupt, they have done abominable works. Corruption of life flows necessarily from atheism of the heart. Man is the same "corrupt" being in all ages as he was before the flood (Genesis 6:12).
There is none that doeth good. The Septuagint and Vulgate add, "No, not one;" so Paul quotes it, Romans 3:10; Romans 3:12.