Skip to main content

    Psalms 14 (KJV)

    Read Psalms chapter 14 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    Psalms 14

    Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

    Psalm 14:1

    "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are c…"

    Explore Topics Related to Psalms 14

    Continue your study with related content from across our library:

    Commentary

    Psalm 14:1 Commentary

    In-depth study • Folly of Unbelief

    Commentary

    Psalm 42:11 Commentary

    In-depth study • Major Psalms

    Spiritual Warfare

    Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)

    The helmet of salvation guards the mind with the unshakeable assurance of what G

    Verses About

    Bible Verses About Comfort in Psalms

    10 curated KJV verses

    Q&A

    How Did God Create Humanity?

    History & Origins

    Q&A

    Why Are the Psalms Important?

    Prayer & Worship

    Psalms 14 Summary

    Psalm 14 addresses the folly of atheism and the universal corruption of humanity. David declares that 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God,' and describes how all have turned aside from righteousness.

    Despite this bleak assessment, the psalm ends with hope—looking forward to salvation coming from Zion. Paul later quotes this psalm in Romans 3 to establish the universal need for God's grace.

    Key Themes

    Human sinfulnessFoolishness of unbeliefUniversal need for GodHope of salvation

    Key Verses in Psalms 14

    "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good."

    — Psalms 14:1

    A foundational verse about the connection between denying God and moral corruption.

    "Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!"

    — Psalms 14:7

    An early messianic longing pointing toward God's ultimate deliverance.

    Life Application

    Recognizing our universal need for God is the first step toward receiving His grace. No one is righteous on their own—we all depend on His salvation.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does Psalm 14 say everyone is evil?

    It describes the universal tendency toward sin apart from God, which Paul later applies in Romans 3 to show everyone's need for grace.

    Is Psalm 14 the same as Psalm 53?

    They are very similar, with minor differences. Both address human corruption and the foolishness of denying God.

    Psalm 14 Commentary & Reflection

    Wisdom
    Sobering, hopeful

    Best read for: Apologetics, understanding human nature

    Overview of Psalm 14: The Fool Has Said There Is No God

    Psalm 14 declares that denying God is moral foolishness. The Lord looks down from heaven and finds none who do good — all have gone astray. Yet amid this bleak assessment, God is with the generation of the righteous and is the refuge of the poor. The psalm ends with longing for salvation to come from Zion.

    Key Themes

    Foolishness
    Sin
    God's Perspective
    Salvation

    Key Verses to Remember

    “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.”
    — Psalm 14:1 (KJV)
    “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.”
    — Psalm 14:7 (KJV)

    Reflection

    The 'fool' here isn't intellectually deficient — he's morally corrupted. Denying God isn't a head problem; it's a heart problem. This psalm holds up a mirror to all humanity's need for redemption.

    Historical Context

    Paul quoted this psalm extensively in Romans 3:10-12 to establish that all humanity stands guilty before God. The 'fool' (nabal in Hebrew) is not intellectually deficient but morally corrupt—one who lives as if God is irrelevant. The psalm describes total depravity: when God looks down from heaven, He finds 'none that doeth good, no, not one.'

    How to Apply Psalm 14 Today

    This psalm is a mirror that shows us our need for a Savior. Before pointing fingers at 'the wicked,' recognize that apart from God's grace, this description fits every human heart. Let this reality deepen your gratitude for salvation and your compassion for those still far from God.

    A Prayer from Psalm 14

    Lord, apart from Your grace, I too would be among those who do not seek You. Thank You for opening my eyes to see my need and for providing salvation from Zion. Restore the fortunes of Your people. Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad, for You alone can turn our captivity into joy. Amen.

    Read the full Psalm 14 devotional →
    Read the full summary of Psalms

    Free Bible widgets and more ways to read