Psalm 14 - New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Psalm 14[a]

A Lament over Widespread Corruption

1 For the leader. Of David.

I

The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
Their deeds are loathsome and corrupt;
not one does what is good.(A)
2 The Lord looks down from heaven
upon the children of men,(B)
To see if even one is wise,
if even one seeks God.(C)
3 All have gone astray;
all alike are perverse.
Not one does what is good,
not even one.(D)

II

4 Will these evildoers never learn?
They devour my people as they devour bread;(E)
they do not call upon the Lord.(F)
5 They have good reason, then, to fear;
God is with the company of the just.
6 They would crush the hopes of the poor,
but the poor have the Lord as their refuge.

III

7 (G)Oh, that from Zion might come
the salvation of Israel!
Jacob would rejoice, and Israel be glad
when the Lord restores his people![b]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 14 The lament (duplicated in Ps 53) depicts the world as consisting of two types of people: “the fool” (equals the wicked, Ps 14:1–3) and “the company of the just” (Ps 14:4–6; also called “my people,” and “the poor”). The wicked persecute the just, but the Psalm expresses the hope that God will punish the wicked and reward the good.
  2. 14:7 Jacob…Israel…his people: the righteous poor are identified with God’s people.

Cross references

  1. 14:1 : Ps 10:4; 36:2; Is 32:6; Jer 5:12.
  2. 14:2–3 : Rom 3:11–12.
  3. 14:2 : Ps 11:4; 102:20.
  4. 14:3 : Ps 12:1.
  5. 14:4 : Ps 27:2; Is 9:11.
  6. 14:4 : Ps 79:6.
  7. 14:7 : Ps 85:2.