Psalm 14

The fool says there is no God; wicked consume the poor; God will end captivity
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Text
Explanation
A general view of a world in moral decay but God will end the captivity. The psalm is like ps053.
.1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> 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.
 2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
  Fool Hebrew nabal. Used to describe one who is deficient morally and/or intellectually. Of course understanding cannot be perfect without a knowledge of God. The book of Proverbs often mentions fools.
  Looked down Although the fool denies it, God is real and morality matters. He sees us ps10219. Did any have spiritual understanding? Compare ge0611, ge1105
.3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.    Gone aside From righteousness.
  Filthy From 'alach, related to an Arabic word describing milk turning sour. Words from this root are only in jb1516 and in the parallel psalm ps05303.
  None doeth good None of the wicked.
 4 ¶ Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.   My people The faithful remnant of v5. The righteous may expect similar oppression in the end times re1315. They call not on the Lord ro1014.
.5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. 
 6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
  Generation ... See ps01207, ps02406, ps07215. The word could also mean "gathering place" or "dwelling."
  Shamed Those who believe there is no God v1 ignorantly condemn those who find shelter in Him.
.7 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.   Zion Symbolic of where God dwells pa00206.
  Captivity The major captivities into Assyria and Babylon had not yet occurred. David was probably thinking of Egypt and oppression by Canaanites. The intent here is more spiritual, however. We are all pilgrims on this earth awaiting the coming of Jesus. jb4210, ez1653, ho0611, am0914, mr1327.
  Jacob Often combined with "Israel" Of course the symbolic meaning is based on the same person ge3228. In context of Egypt, we may see a new coming out 2co0617 remembering that Jacob and descendants lived a long time in that land and became slaves before the exodus. We will be glad is2509
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