Lecture Notes on Psalm 14

Introduction

This is the 14th week of the Bible study series on the Book of Psalms, focusing on Psalm 14.
Psalm 14 is known for addressing the concept of atheism, famously beginning with “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.”
The psalm deals with unbelief in God and its implications.

The psalm is divided into three parts:
1. Believing There is No God: (Verse 1)
2. Living Like There is No God: (Verses 2-4)
3. Fearing Like There is a God: (Verse 5-7)

Verse 1: Asserts that those who believe there is no God are fools.
The psalmist describes such individuals as corrupt and doing abominable works.
Reference to Romans 1:
- Apostle Paul emphasizes general revelation through creation as evidence of God’s existence.
- Paul critiques the rejection of God’s existence, stating it requires internal dialogue to believe there is no God because creation and conscience reveal God.

Verses 2-4: Describes the average unsaved person who lives without acknowledging God.
Verse 2: God looks from heaven to see if any seek Him; finds none.
Romans 3 Reference: Paul quotes this psalm, describing all as unrighteous and not naturally seeking God.
Implications of Living Without God:
- Moral deficiencies in society.
- Creation and conscience are ignored, leading to societal corruption.
- America and its current state are discussed as an example of living without acknowledging God.

Verses 5-7: Even those who deny God live in fear, indicating an inherent knowledge of God.
Psalm 53 Reference: Parallel psalm indicating fear where none exists, highlighting the inner fear of atheists.
Proverbs 28:1: “The wicked flee when no man pursueth.”
Revelation 21: Lists fearful among those who reject God, showing fear as an indicator of underlying belief.
Psalm 14:5 states, "There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous." This verse connects fear with the absence of righteousness, implying a link between a lack of faith and fear.
Psalm 53:5, a parallel passage, adds, "There were they in great fear; where no fear was." This emphasizes the paradoxical fear experienced by those who reject God, a fear born not of external threat but of inner conflict.
Proverbs 28:1, while not directly in the passage, is referenced, stating that "the wicked flee when no man pursueth," further highlighting the unwarranted fear of those who live without God. Finally,
Revelation 21:8 lists "the fearful" among those destined for punishment, directly linking fear with unbelief and a rejection of God.

Verse 7: Hope for future salvation tied to God’s justice.
Encouragement to Christians:
- Avoid living like there is no God.
- Recognize the fear of God in others as an opportunity for evangelism.

Genesis 6: Narrative of societal corruption before the flood, reflecting the outcomes of living as if there is no God.