Psalm 14:2-3 NKJV,NLT

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 14:1-7

Conflict between God and the wicked. The psalmist beans by lamenting the extent and the power of the atheism which reigns among men ( Psalms 14:1-3 ). But the righteous who have to suffer much on account of it, must not therefore despair; fools shall certainly bring destruction upon themselves ( Psalms 14:4-6 ). He closes with the prayer that God would send deliverance to his people ( Psalms 14:7 ). I. ATHEISM . ( Psalms 14:1-3 .) 1 . Atheism in the thought and in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 14:2

The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men . Corruption having reached such a height as it had, God, is represented as looking down from heaven with a special object—to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. To see, i.e; if among the crowd of the "abominable" doers spoken of in Psalms 14:1 there were any of a better spirit, and possessed of understanding, and willing to seek after God. But it was in vain. The result of his scrutiny appears in the next... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 14:3

They are all gone aside . Haccol ( הַכֹּל ), "the totality"—one and all of them had turned aside, like the Israelites at Sinai ( Exodus 32:8 ); they had quitted the way of righteousness, and turned to wicked courses. The expression "denotes a general—all but universal-corruption" ('Speaker's Commentary'). They are all together become filthy; literally, sour , rancid— like milk that has turned, or butter that has become bad. There is none that doeth good, no, not one. St. Paul's... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 14:2

The Lord looked down from heaven - The original word here - שׁקף shâqaph - conveys the idea of “bending forward,” and hence, of an intense and anxious looking, as we bend forward when we wish to examine anything with attention, or when we look out for one who is expected to come. The idea is that God looked intently, or so as to secure a close examination, upon the children of men, for the express purpose of ascertaining whether there were any that were good. He looked at all men; he examined... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 14:3

They are all gone aside - This verse states the result of the divine investigation referred to in the previous verse. The result, as seen by God himself, was, that “all” were seen to have gone aside, and to have become filthy. The word rendered “gone aside” means properly to go off, to turn aside or away, to depart; as, for example, to turn out of the right way or path, Exodus 32:8. Then it means to turn away from God; to fall away from his worship; to apostatize, 1 Samuel 12:20; 2Ki 18:6; 2... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 14:2

Psalms 14:2 . The Lord looked down from heaven God knows all things without any inquiry: but he speaks after the manner of men. Upon the children of men Upon the whole Israelitish nation, and upon all mankind; for he speaks of all except his people, and the righteous ones, who are opposed to these, Psalms 14:4-5. If there were any that did understand, &c. That did truly know God, namely, so as to fear, love, trust in, and obey him, (all which particulars are frequently included... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 14:3

Psalms 14:3. They are all gone aside From God and the rule he hath given them to walk by, from truth into error, and from duty into sin; from the paths of wisdom and righteousness. They are altogether become filthy, loathsome, and abominable before God. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 14:1-7

Psalms 14-17 Godly people in ungodly societyContinuing the theme of Psalms 10-13 (concerning the godly person who is downtrodden), the psalmist notes what happens when people refuse to acknowledge God and live as if he does not care about their actions. The result is a corrupt society (14:1-3). Because they have rejected God they have rejected the true standard by which to judge good and evil. They live solely for themselves, with no consideration for others and no thought for God (4). But in... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 14:2

The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ). The verse beginning and ending with "Jehovah" (see note on "GOD", Psalms 14:1 ). Psalm not for public use: but for David's private use. looked . . . To see. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. children = sons. men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . read more