Psalm 14:1
New International Version
For the director of music. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

New Living Translation
Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!

English Standard Version
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

Berean Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

New American Standard Bible
For the music director. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed detestable acts; There is no one who does good.

NASB 1995
For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.

NASB 1977
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the choir director. Of David. 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.

Amplified Bible
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The [spiritually ignorant] fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed repulsive and unspeakable deeds; There is no one who does good.

Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” They are corrupt; they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. Davidic. The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.” They are corrupt; they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good.

American Standard Version
For 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.

Contemporary English Version
Only a fool would say, "There is no God!" People like that are worthless; they are heartless and cruel and never do right.

English Revised Version
For 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[For the choir director; by David.] Godless fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt. They do disgusting things. There is no one who does good things.

Good News Translation
Fools say to themselves, "There is no God!" They are all corrupt, and they have done terrible things; there is no one who does what is right.

International Standard Version
Fools say to themselves, "There is no God." They are corrupt and commit evil deeds; not one of them practices what is good.

Majority Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.

NET Bible
For the music director; by David. Fools say to themselves, "There is no God." They sin and commit evil deeds; none of them does what is right.

New Heart English Bible
[For the Chief Musician. By David.] The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt. They do abominable works. There is none who does good.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
For the Chief Musician. By David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt. They have done abominable deeds. There is no one who does good.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
TO THE OVERSEER. BY DAVID. A fool has said in his heart, “There is no God”; They have done corruptly, "" They have done abominable actions, "" There is not a doer of good.

Young's Literal Translation
To the Overseer. -- By David. A fool hath said in his heart, 'God is not;' They have done corruptly, They have done abominable actions, There is not a doer of good.

Smith's Literal Translation
To the overseer; of David. The fool said in his heart, No God. They were corrupted, they made their; works abominable, none doing good.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end, a psalm for David. The fool hath said in his heart: There is no God, They are corrupt, and are become abominable in their ways: there is none that doth good, no not one.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unto the end. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They were corrupted, and they have become abominable in their studies. There is no one who does good; there is not even one.

New American Bible
For the leader. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Their deeds are loathsome and corrupt; not one does what is good.

New Revised Standard Version
Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THE fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have been defiled by their own devices; there is none that does good.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The evil one has said in his heart, "There is no God.” They are corrupted and they are defiled in their schemes and there is none who does good.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart: 'There is no God'; They have dealt corruptly, they have done abominably; There is none that doeth good.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the end, Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They have corrupted themselves, and become abominable in their devices; there is none that does goodness, there is not even so much as one.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fool Says There is No God
1For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. 2The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.…

Cross References
Romans 3:10-12
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Psalm 53:1-3
For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good. / God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. / All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 14:9
Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

Isaiah 32:6
For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink.

Jeremiah 4:22
“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”

Ephesians 2:12
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

1 Corinthians 15:34
Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.

Job 21:14-15
Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways. / Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’

Isaiah 44:18-20
They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. / And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” / He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”

Titus 1:16
They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...

Matthew 7:26
But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

Luke 12:20
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’

1 Corinthians 1:18-21
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ...


Treasury of Scripture

The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good.

fool

Psalm 73:3
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psalm 92:6
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

Psalm 106:17
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

no

Psalm 10:4
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Psalm 52:1-6
To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually…

Job 22:13
And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?

They are

Psalm 36:1-4
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes…

Psalm 94:4-8
How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? …

Genesis 6:5,11,12
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually…

abominable

Job 15:16
How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?

Matthew 12:34
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

there

Romans 3:10-12
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: …

Ephesians 2:1-3
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; …

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Abominable Abominably Chief Choirmaster Committed Corrupt Corrupted Corruptly David Dealt Deeds Director Fool Foolish Good Heart Leader Music Musician Music-Maker Psalm Themselves Unclean Vile Works
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Abominable Abominably Chief Choirmaster Committed Corrupt Corrupted Corruptly David Dealt Deeds Director Fool Foolish Good Heart Leader Music Musician Music-Maker Psalm Themselves Unclean Vile Works
Psalm 14
1. David describes a natural man
4. He convinces the wicked by the light of their conscience
7. He glories in the salvation of God














The fool
The Hebrew word for "fool" here is "נָבָל" (nabal), which implies more than just a lack of intelligence. It denotes a moral deficiency, a willful rejection of wisdom and righteousness. In the biblical context, a fool is someone who lives as if God does not exist, ignoring divine law and moral order. This term is not merely an insult but a profound spiritual diagnosis of a person who chooses to live apart from God’s truth.

says in his heart
The phrase "says in his heart" indicates an internal conviction rather than a public declaration. It reflects a deep-seated belief or attitude. In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. This internal dialogue reveals a deliberate choice to reject God, highlighting the personal and intimate nature of unbelief.

There is no God
This statement is a declaration of atheism or practical atheism, where one lives as if God does not exist. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where polytheism was prevalent, this denial is radical. It reflects a rebellion against the Creator, a refusal to acknowledge His sovereignty and authority. This denial is not just intellectual but moral, as it leads to a life devoid of divine guidance and accountability.

They are corrupt
The Hebrew word "שָׁחַת" (shachath) means to be spoiled, ruined, or morally perverted. This corruption is a consequence of denying God, leading to a life that is spiritually and morally decayed. It suggests a departure from the intended purpose and design of humanity, which is to reflect God's image and glory.

their acts are vile
The term "vile" translates from the Hebrew "עָלִיל" (alil), meaning abominable or detestable. This describes actions that are morally reprehensible and offensive to God. The rejection of God results in behavior that is contrary to His nature and commands, highlighting the link between belief and conduct.

There is no one who does good
This phrase underscores the universality of sin and the fallen nature of humanity. In the absence of God, true goodness is unattainable. The Hebrew word for "good" is "טוֹב" (tov), which encompasses moral goodness, beauty, and excellence. Without God, humanity cannot achieve the standard of goodness that reflects His character. This statement sets the stage for the need for divine intervention and redemption, pointing ultimately to the necessity of Christ's atoning work.

(1) Fool.--Heb., nabal, from a root meaning "to wither;" hence flat, insipid (insipiens). But this is not therefore speculative atheism, but practical--a denial of the moral government of God--so that fool and wicked become almost synonymous.

They have done abominable works.--Literally, they have made to be abhorred their works. The LXX. and Vulg. have caught the sense, "They have become abominable in their practices." Instead of works, Psalms 53 has "iniquity."

Verse 1. - The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. An atheism is here depicted which goes beyond even that of Psalm 10. There the existence of God was not so much denied as his providence. Here his existence is not only denied, but denied in the very depths of the man's heart. He has contrived to convince himself of what he so much wishes. The psalmist regards such a state of mind as indicative of that utter perversity and folly which is implied in the term nabal (נָבַל). They are corrupt; literally, they have corrupted themselves (comp. Gem 6:12; Judges 2:19). Their atheism is accompanied by deep moral corruption. We have no right to say that this is always so; but the tendency of atheism to relax moral restraints is indisputable. They have done abominable works (comp. vers. 3 and 4). There is none that doeth good; i.e. none among them. The psalmist does not intend his words to apply to the whole human race. He has in his mind a, " righteous generation" (ver. 5), "God's people" (ver. 4), whom he sets over against the wicked, both in this psalm and elsewhere universally (see Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 2:12; Psalm 3:8; Psalm 4:3, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

Of David.
לְדָ֫וִ֥ד (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

The fool
נָבָ֣ל (nā·ḇāl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5036: Foolish, senseless

says
אָ֘מַ֤ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

in his heart,
בְּ֭לִבּוֹ (bə·lib·bōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

“[There is] no
אֵ֣ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

God.”
אֱלֹהִ֑ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

They are corrupt;
הִֽשְׁחִ֗יתוּ (hiš·ḥî·ṯū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

their acts
עֲלִילָ֗ה (‘ă·lî·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5949: An exploit, a performance, an opportunity

are vile.
הִֽתְעִ֥יבוּ (hiṯ·‘î·ḇū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8581: To loathe, detest

There is no
אֵ֣ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

one who does
עֹֽשֵׂה־ (‘ō·śêh-)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

good.
טֽוֹב׃ (ṭō·wḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good


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OT Poetry: Psalm 14:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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