Psalm 14 opens with one of the boldest declarations in Scripture: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” But David is not merely launching a polemic against atheism—he is painting a spiritual landscape in which godlessness leads to moral collapse. Though this psalm is over 3,000 years old, its critique remains startlingly modern.
Though estimates vary, recent studies suggest roughly 450–500 million people globally identify as Atheists. Countries like Sweden (up to 85%), Vietnam (about 81%), and Japan (64–65%) top the list when it comes to the high prevalence of positive atheism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_atheism).
In the U.S., while the majority still identify as Christian (about 62%), the “nones”—those who claim no religious affiliation—now make up 28–29% of the adult population; Specifically, 5% identify as atheists, 6% as agnostics, and 19% as “nothing in particular” (https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/religious-landscape-study-executive-summary/)
But numbers only tell part of the story. Psalm 14 doesn’t measure disbelief—it reveals its consequences. It is a psalm of realism, lament, and hope—teaching us how to live wisely in a world that mocks faith. Its literary features include:
- Repetition for emphasis (“there is none who does good,” vv. 1, 3),
- Rhetorical questions (v. 4),
- Sharp contrasts (the corrupt vs. the righteous),
- Climactic progression (from denial → corruption → judgment → hope), and
- A close that points toward divine restoration (v. 7).
Interestingly, this psalm has a nearly identical twin in Psalm 53, although they apparently had different tunes. In addition, Psalm 14 uses, Yahweh, the divine name of God 4 times, but Psalm 53 only uses Elohim to refer to God. The ending is somewhat different as well. All in all, Psalm 14 seems to focus more on God’s deliverance of the righteous, while Psalm 53 seems to focus more on God’s defeat of the wicked.
Psalm 14 confronts us with a sobering question: What happens to a society that forgets God? But it doesn’t leave us there. It also answers: What does God do for those who remember Him?
Psalm 14:1 — The Denial of God Begins in the Heart
“The wicked fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They act corruptly, they commit abominable deeds; There is no one who does good” (Psalm 14:1 LSB).
David opens with a penetrating diagnosis. This isn’t simply about atheism in the philosophical sense, but a willful rejection of God’s authority. The word fool in Hebrew (nābāl) describes a person who lives as if God doesn’t matter. It is not a lack of intelligence but a moral defiance. Many do not want to believe in God and so turn to anything else that initially seems even a little bit plausible (although they utterly fail on closer examination). This internal denial leads to outward behavior: corruption and abominable deeds.
Paul echoes this in Romans 1:18–21, describing those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. The issue isn’t evidence—it’s the heart’s refusal to submit. Functionally, we can imitate the same behavior when we ignore God’s will and commands.
Psalm 14:2 — God Looks for Seekers
“Yahweh looks down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who has insight, Anyone who seeks after God” (Psalm 14:2).
This verse is deeply personal. It’s not just about surveillance—it’s about divine heartbreak. God is not coldly scanning data points; He is searching the hearts of His creation, longing to find someone—anyone—who seeks Him in truth.
The image echoes Genesis 6:5, where God looked down and saw only wickedness—and grieved in His heart. That same sorrow seems present here. The Lord’s gaze is filled not only with holiness but with compassion and longing, like a father watching his children turn their backs on home.
He looks for them, but His search comes up empty—No understanding . . .No pursuit. . .No one who seeks. The tragedy is not that God is hidden—but that people hide themselves from Him (cf. Romans 3:11–12). It is a portrait of relational distance, not intellectual doubt.
This verse reminds us: when humanity forgets God, God still remembers humanity. And He still looks—hoping to find hearts turned toward Him.
Psalm 14:3 — Universal Rebellion
“They have all turned aside, altogether they have become worthless; There is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:3)
This verse hits the center of the psalm—and of human nature. It is so central that Paul quotes it in Romans 3:10–12 to demonstrate that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin.
Key terms:
- Turned aside – willful deviation from the path.
- Corrupt – a word implying moral decay or rot.
- No one who does good – emphasizes the depth of sin, not just the number of sinners.
Without God’s help, all humanity is fallen, no matter how religious or respectable someone appears. Psalm 14 holds up a mirror we’d rather not look into.
Psalm 14:4–5 — The Blindness and Terror of the Wicked
“Do all the workers of iniquity not know, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call upon Yahweh? There they are in great dread, For God is with the righteous generation” (Psalm 14:4-5).
These verses expose the ignorance and violence of the godless. They consume the righteous without conscience—“as they eat bread,” meaning thoughtlessly and repeatedly. This could describe persecution, mockery, or systemic harm.
But then, unexpectedly, terror strikes them: “There they are in great dread…” Even when they feel secure, the fear of divine justice breaks in—as it did for the Syrians in 2 Kings 7:6–7. There is no lasting peace for those who live in opposition to God and His people.
God sees those who harm His people. We don’t need to fight in fear—He is with the righteous.
Psalm 14:6–7 — The Lord is Our Refuge
“You would put to shame the counsel of the afflicted, But Yahweh is his refuge. Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When Yahweh restores His captive people, May Jacob rejoice, may Israel be glad” (Psalm 14:6-7).
The final verses remind us that while the wicked mock and shame, God shelters and restores. He is the refuge of the poor—not just economically poor, but those humble enough to trust in Him.
David closes with a prayer that sounds prophetic: “Oh, that salvation… would come out of Zion!” For Christians, we hear echoes of Christ, who brought salvation not just for Israel but the world.
Don’t lose hope. When the world seems broken and godless, remember: God is not idle. He is the refuge, the judge, and the Savior.
Psalm 14 is not merely a criticism of atheism—it is a diagnosis of the human condition. From denial to corruption, from ignorance to fear, it exposes what happens when people forget God. But it ends in hope: God sees, God shelters, and God will save.
Personal Study Guide
Reflection Questions:
- Where do you see denial of God’s existence shaping the culture around you?
- How does Psalm 14 change your view of what it means to be “a fool” in biblical terms?
- How does this psalm both humble and comfort you?
Action Steps:
- Memorize Psalm 14:1 or Romans 1:21. Reflect on the heart’s role in belief.
- Pray for courage to stand firm in a world that often mocks faith.
- Serve someone today in a way that reflects God’s righteousness.
Prayer Points:
- Thank God that He sees and supports the righteous.
- Ask for boldness and compassion in conversations with unbelievers.
- Pray for salvation to come to those who deny God.
Couple’s Study Guide: Living by Faith Together
Reflect Together:
- How do we respond when we feel surrounded by unbelief?
- How can we encourage each other to trust in God’s presence when the world says He’s absent?
Pray Together:
- Thank God for sustaining your faith.
- Ask Him to help your home be a place where God is honored, even when the culture pushes the opposite.
Shared Action:
- Pick one verse from Psalm 14 to display in your home this week.
- Pray for someone you both know who is struggling with faith or belief in God.
Family Devotion: Trusting God When Others Don’t
Read Psalm 14 Together
Discussion Questions:
- What does the Bible mean when it says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’”?
- Why is it important to remember that God sees everything and helps those who love Him?
- What should we do when other people don’t believe in God?
Prayer:
- Thank God for being our refuge.
- Pray for someone you know who doesn’t believe in God yet.
- Ask God to help your family always believe in Him, even when others do not.
Final Thought
Psalm 14 isn’t just about the world—it’s about the heart. The fool isn’t defined by intellect but by independence from God. In a world full of noise, doubt, and arrogance, we need the wisdom to trust God’s Word and the courage to live faithfully.
God is watching. God is with us. And salvation has already come out of Zion. “The Lord is his refuge.” Let that be your strength and song.
By Jeremy Sprouse
Jeremy has been married to Erynn since August 1999. They are blessed with six children: Jaden, Isaiah, Isaac, Ean, Joseph, and Evelyn. Jeremy preaches for the Patrick St. church of Christ in Dublin, TX and is the author of To Train Up a Knight.
Knights of The Father 