Psalm 14

1  THE [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable deeds; there is none that does good or right. 2  The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him [of vital necessity].3  They are all gone aside, they have all together become filthy; there is none that does good or right, no, not one. 4  Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread and who do not call on the Lord?5  There they shall be in great fear [literally--dreading a dread], for God is with the generation of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those upright and in right standing with Him).6  You [evildoers] would put to shame and confound the plans of the poor and patient, but the Lord is his safe refuge.7  Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord shall restore the fortunes of His people, then Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad.

Psalm 14

For the music director; by David.

1 Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.”
They sin and commit evil deeds;
none of them does what is right.

2 The Lord looks down from heaven at the human race,
to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God.

3 Everyone rejects God;
they are all morally corrupt.
None of them does what is right,
not even one!

4 All those who behave wickedly do not understand –
those who devour my people as if they were eating bread,
and do not call out to the Lord.

5 They are absolutely terrified,
for God defends the godly.

6 You want to humiliate the oppressed,
even though the Lord is their shelter.

7 I wish the deliverance of Israel would come from Zion!
When the Lord restores the well-being of his people,
may Jacob rejoice,
may Israel be happy!