Psalms 14:4 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? - expressing wonder at the monstrous folly of the evil-doers. They are awfully blind to their own interest. They are criminally, because willfully, without "knowledge" of God, of themselves, of the fatal results of their perversity, and of the blessedness which follows righteousness.

Who eat up my people as they eat bread. The Psalmist speaks in the person of God, calling the people of the covenant "my people" (Ezekiel 34:2-3; Micah 3:3; Jeremiah 10:25). Both the pagan enemies and the treacherous rulers of God's people are stigmatized; their only care is their own selfish, worldly interest. As one eating bread never thinks he does any wrong thereby; so these who prey upon the people of God are utterly without compunction, reckless of the honour of God or the welfare of His people (Proverbs 30:14).

And call not upon the Lord - answering to their saying in their heart, "There is no God" (Psalms 14:1), and not 'seeking God' (Psalms 14:2), and having "gone aside" from Him (Psalms 14:3). Heartless conduct toward man, and disregard of God, go hand in hand.

Psalms 14:4

4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.