The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss is that the "fool" here isn't necessarily denying God's existence intellectually, but practically – they live as if God doesn't see or care about their actions. This isn't just a distant thought, but a "deliberate conclusion" that fuels their corruption and leads them to abandon any pretense of doing what's truly good.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This Psalm opens by painting a grim picture of humanity's moral state, describing a deep-seated practical atheism where people live as if God doesn't exist and has no involvement in human affairs. This denial isn't just a fleeting thought but a core conviction, leading to widespread corruption and the rejection of all goodness, setting the stage for a plea for divine intervention.
When the Bible calls someone a 'fool' for saying 'there is no God,' it's not just about abstract philosophy. It points to a deeper, practical rejection of God's authority.
The Hebrew word for 'fool' ( nabal) here isn't about low IQ. It describes someone morally bankrupt, someone whose heart has 'withered' from truth. This isn't just a theoretical denial of God's existence, but a practical one. People live 'as if' God doesn't matter, ignoring His rule and His judgment. They might not openly shout 'There is no God!' but their actions and secret desires reveal a heart that wishes He wasn't there to hold them accountable. This practical atheism is the foundation for a life lived outside of God's will.
What happens when people truly internalize the idea that God isn't watching or doesn't matter? The Bible paints a grim picture of moral decay.
Psalm 14:1 doesn't stop at the heart's declaration; it shows the devastating consequences. The psalmist says, 'They are corrupt, they have done abominable works.' This isn't just a minor flaw; it's a deep-seated rottenness. 'Corrupt' implies a self-degradation, a spoiling of their true nature. 'Abominable works' points to actions so vile and detestable that they are offensive to God and decency. This isn't about occasional mistakes; it's a pattern of behavior. When the moral compass of God's existence and authority is removed, people are free to pursue self-serving, destructive paths, leading to actions that are deeply offensive.
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After describing the 'fools' and their actions, the verse makes a startling claim: 'there is none who does good.' What does this really mean?
This final statement, 'there is none who does good,' is a radical assessment of the human condition when God is disregarded. It doesn't mean people never do acts that look good on the surface, like acts of charity or kindness. Instead, it means no one consistently does what is truly good in God's eyes, from the right motives, and with a heart fully surrendered to Him. When God is denied or ignored, the source of true goodness is cut off. Actions may be motivated by self-interest, pride, or a desire for recognition, rather than a genuine love for God and neighbor. This verse highlights a universal need for God's transforming power to enable true righteousness.
Understand the original words
nabal · Hebrew Noun
In the Bible, this refers not to an intellectual deficiency, but to a moral and spiritual deficiency—one who lives, acts, and thinks as if God does not exist or does not matter. It describes a person who has rejected God’s authority and moral law.
shachath · Hebrew Verb
State of being rotten, morally depraved, or spiritually ruined. In Scripture, it describes the pervasive nature of sin affecting human nature and actions, often in the context of idolatry or rebellion against God.
toebah · Hebrew Noun
Things that are morally detestable, loathsome, or offensive, particularly to God. It is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe idolatry or ethical practices that violate God’s covenantal holiness.
This passage describes people who, because they did not see fit to acknowledge God or keep Him in their knowledge, were given over to a debased mind and unrighteous deeds, mirroring the Psalm's depiction of the fool's corruption stemming from their denial of God's governance.
Titus 1:16Paul directly quotes and applies this idea, stating that people profess to know God but by their actions deny Him, which connects to the Psalm's portrayal of practical atheism where actions speak louder than any outward profession.
Genesis 6:5-6The text in Genesis describes the state of humanity before the flood as irredeemably wicked, with every thought and inclination being only evil, which aligns with the Psalm's conclusion that 'there is none who does good.'
Luke 12:47-48Jesus speaks of servants who, knowing their master's will but not preparing or doing his will, will be beaten with many blows. This highlights the theme of willful ignorance and the consequences of acting as if God's will and judgment do not matter, reflecting the 'foolish' denial of God's rule.
poolePsalms 14:1: "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."
The design of this Psalm is to describe and bewail the terrible wickedness and corruption of mankind, and especially of ungodly men, and of his own enemies. David showeth the atheism and corruption of men, Psalm 14:1-3 . He convinceth the wicked by the light of conscience, Psalm 14:4-6 ; and longeth for the sa…
ellicottPsalms 14:1: "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."
(1) Fool. —Heb., nabal, from a root meaning “to wither;” hence flat, insipid ( insipiens ) . But this is not therefore speculative atheism, but practical—a denial of the moral government of God—so that fool and wicked become almost synonymous. They have done abominable works.—Literally, they have made to be ab…
What's easy to miss is that the "fool" here isn't necessarily denying God's existence intellectually, but practically – they live as if God doesn't see or care about their actions. This isn't just a distant thought, but a "deliberate conclusion" that fuels their corruption and leads them to abandon any pretense of doing what's truly good.
This Psalm opens by painting a grim picture of humanity's moral state, describing a deep-seated practical atheism where people live as if God doesn't exist and has no involvement in human affairs. This denial isn't just a fleeting thought but a core conviction, leading to widespread corruption and the rejection of all goodness, setting the stage for a plea for divine intervention.
This Psalm opens by painting a grim picture of humanity's moral state, describing a deep-seated practical atheism where people live as if God doesn't exist and has no involvement in human affairs. This denial isn't just a fleeting thought but a core conviction, leading to widespread corruption and the rejection of all goodness, setting the stage for a plea for divine intervention.
"The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good." — What's easy to miss is that the "fool" here isn't necessarily denying God's existence intellectually, but practically – they live as if God doesn't see or care about their actions. This isn't just a…
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Last reviewed October 2026