The Fool's Denial
For the director of music. Of David.
The fool's claim that there is no God is treated as practical, not theoretical. Our Father searches all humanity for anyone who understands and finds no one. Those who devour his people meet sudden dread; the psalm closes longing for salvation from Zion.
14 1The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
2Our Father looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek him. 3They have all turned away; together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
4Don't they know anything, all these evildoers who devour my people as they eat bread, and never call on our Father? 5There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for our Father is with the generation of the righteous. 6You evildoers would frustrate the plans of the poor, but our Father is his refuge.
7Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When our Father restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.