The Fool’s Decision

Psalm 14:1-7

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

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.” (Psalm 14:1)

The fool tells himself that there is no God and that he will never have to suffer the consequences of his actions, ignoring the fact that everything in nature has consequences.  Removing rocks from the bottom of the pile results in those above sliding or rolling down.  Stripping the bark causes a tree to die.   There are things that naturally happen as a result of and action, and even the fool should be able to see that there will be consequences for his action whether God existed or not.   

Nature also teaches us there must be a cause for everything that happens.  Understanding that, we know spontaneous evolution is not possible.  Something had to cause the universe to come into existence, or to cause life to develop.   The fool denies the existence of God because he doesn’t want to take responsibility for his actions.  Once he convinces himself he doesn’t need to worry about the consequences, there are no meaningful standards of good or bad and he feels free to do whatever he pleases without concern.  As a result they do horrible things.      

“The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.   They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Psalm 14:2-3)

God looked down from heaven to see what men would do.   Paul quotes David’s conclusion and expands on it in Romans 3:10-12.  “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.   Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  Convinced there is no God, there is no reason for them to try to do good. 

“Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.  There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.   Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.”  (Psalm 14:4-6)

David asks if the wicked can really be so ignorant as to not realize God’s existence and power”  After all, As Romans 1:22-23 tells us, everything in nature tells us there is a God.   “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” 

Considering themselves too smart and sophisticated to believe in God, they have made fools of themselves, turning on God’s people and not turning to God.  They have made fun of the poor whose only hope was in God, and when trouble comes they have no hope themselves  and nothing to offer to replace the hopes of the poor. 

“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.” (Psalm 14:7)

One day the Lord will return and straighten things out, restoring Israel to their proper place and making them rejoice in his blessings.  One can only wish that time was already here.