Psalm 14:1

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

While often applied to atheists today, David was not likely talking about disbelief in God. In ancient pagan thinking, each nation had its own gods. Those who encountered Israel just added its God to the pantheon, even if they did not worship or respect him. David was talking about his own sinful countrymen as much as foreigners.

David described those who live as if there is no God to whom they’re accountable for their sins. The same idea is conveyed in Psalm 10. There, the evildoer has the same thought: “There is no God.” But he also says, “God has forgotten” and “will not call to account.” The psalmist then counters that God does see, noting evil, and will take it into his hands (judge).

The wicked in these psalms hold a form of Deism, the belief in a God who created everything but takes no interest in his creation. The psalm’s fool is also like the lawless mentioned in the New Testament (2 Peter 2:8; 1 John 3:4; Rom. 6:19). He feels no obligation to respect the law he is under. He does not fear judgment.

The fool of Psalm 14, the deist, and the lawless are wrong. God sees. He cares. And he will judge all things (Prov. 15:3; 11:21; Ecc. 12:13-14).

The good news is that, even though we all behave as the fool at some point, we can be forgiven (Heb. 10:17; Acts 2:38).

~ SR

Related article: Word of the Week - Fools of Proverbs

Citation
Ruhmann, Scott. “Quick Notes: Psalm 14:1.” 27th Street Church of Christ. Access date: . http://www.churchofbend.com/qn/psal14-1.htm