Table of Contents
Psalm 14
Psalm 14
1 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.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.
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.
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.
Notes
Cross Reference
Concordance
Commentary
Rashi
Verse 1
<html><b>The fool said in his heart, etc.</b> David recited two psalms in this Book, in one manner [with almost identical wording]: the first one concerning Nebuchadnezzar and the second one (ch. 53) concerning Titus. In this one, he prophesied concerning Nebuchadnezzar, who was destined to enter the Temple and to destroy it, with not one [man] of all his armies protesting against him. <b>“There is no God”</b> and “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.” <b>they have committed abominable deeds</b> Heb. עלילה, deeds.</html>
Verse 3
<html><b>All have turned away, etc.</b> Not one man of his armies protested against him. <b>they have spoiled</b> Heb. נאלחו, have turned to rot.</html>
Verse 4
<html><b>Did not…know?</b> Did they not know at the end what had befallen them? <b>Those who devoured My people</b> The seed of Nebuchadnezzar. <b>partook of a feast</b> Heb. לחם, lit. bread. They made a feast (as in Dan. 5:1) “made a huge feast (לחם).” <b>they did not call upon the Lord</b> They neither considered Him nor remembered His wondrous and awesome deeds at their feast, and [they] used His vessels.</html>
Verse 5
<html><b>There they were in great fear</b> For recompense was paid to Belshazzar king of Babylon [causing him] to be in great fear, as it is stated (in Dan. 5:6): “Then the king’s color changed, his thoughts terrified him, the joints of his loins came loose, and his knees knocked against each other.” But our Sages explained this (Sanh. 104b, Mid. Ps. 14:4) as referring to the heathens: Whoever does not rob Israel does not experience a pleasant taste in his food. Those who devoured my people felt as though they ate bread, for they experienced a pleasant taste. <b>for God is in the generation of a righteous man</b> In the generation of Jeconiah, who were righteous.</html>
Verse 6
<html><b>You put to shame the counsel of the poor</b> You say that the counsel of Israel is shameful, for they trust in the Lord because He is their refuge.</html>
Verse 7
<html><b>O that</b> Then the day will arrive when He will give out of Zion the salvation of Israel in the future; then Jacob shall rejoice; Israel shall be glad.</html>