Psalms 14:3
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Hebrew word used for "gone aside" implies not just straying, but a deliberate turning away from a set path. This isn't about accidental missteps, but a collective, active rejection of God's way, leading them to become morally "corrupted" or "soured" beyond recognition.
God looks down from heaven to survey humanity, not to find someone wise or seeking Him, but to witness a universal moral collapse. Every single person has strayed from God's path, becoming thoroughly corrupted and unable to do any good. This isn't a critique of a specific group, but a stark assessment of mankind's inherent state before divine scrutiny.
Imagine God himself, from his throne in heaven, taking a direct look at humanity. What does He see when He scans the earth? This psalm reveals a shocking, sobering inspection.
God Takes a Look
Psalm 14 begins with God looking down from heaven (v. 2). This isn't a casual glance; it's a deliberate investigation to 'see if there were any who did understand and who sought God.' This divine scrutiny highlights the seriousness of humanity's condition. It's God himself, the ultimate judge, who performs the assessment, making the verdict even more impactful.
The Verdict: Universal Departure
Verse 3 lays out the undeniable result of this divine investigation: 'They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.'
What does it truly mean for humanity to be 'corrupt'? It’s more than just occasional mistakes; it's a deep-seated condition affecting every aspect of our being.
More Than Just Bad Behavior
The Hebrew words translated as 'gone aside' and 'become corrupt' in this verse point to a fundamental moral decay. 'Gone aside' suggests a deliberate turning away from the right path, while 'become corrupt' or 'filthy' vividly describes a state of moral rottenness and spoilage.
The Apostle Paul directly quotes this verse in Romans to emphasize the universal sinfulness of all humanity, highlighting that no one is righteous on their own.
Jeremiah 17:9This verse describes the deceitfulness and corruption of the human heart, echoing the Psalmist's assertion that inherent goodness is absent.
Genesis 6:5Here, God observes the profound wickedness of humanity before the flood, stating that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil continually, a precursor to the total depravity described in Psalms 14.
Ecclesiastes 7:20Solomon laments that there is 'not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins,' directly supporting the sweeping statement made in Psalms 14:3.
calvinPsalms 14:2-3: "The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God."
Jehovah looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see whether there were any that did understand, and seek after God. 3. Every one of them has gone aside, they have altogether become putrid, [or rotten;] there is none that doeth good, not even one,
Jehovah looked down from heaven. God himself is here introduced as speaking on the subject of hu…
gillPsalms 14:3: "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
They are all gone aside,.... As bankrupts, having run out their whole stock, and into debt, and have nothing to pay, nor make composition with, and are obliged to abscond, as Adam, Genesis 3:8 . The words in Psalm 53:3 are, "everyone of them is gone back"; from God; have revolted from him, and turned their backs upon him, and have gone back from his commandment, despised his…
The Hebrew word used for "gone aside" implies not just straying, but a deliberate turning away from a set path. This isn't about accidental missteps, but a collective, active rejection of God's way, leading them to become morally "corrupted" or "soured" beyond recognition.
God looks down from heaven to survey humanity, not to find someone wise or seeking Him, but to witness a universal moral collapse. Every single person has strayed from God's path, becoming thoroughly corrupted and unable to do any good. This isn't a critique of a specific group, but a stark assessment of mankind's inherent state before divine scrutiny.
God looks down from heaven to survey humanity, not to find someone wise or seeking Him, but to witness a universal moral collapse. Every single person has strayed from God's path, becoming thoroughly corrupted and unable to do any good. This isn't a critique of a specific group, but a stark assessment of mankind's inherent state before divine scrutiny.
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This isn't about a few bad apples; it's about a widespread infection. The corruption affects:
The Implication: Inability to Save Ourselves
This diagnosis of universal corruption leads to a critical conclusion: humanity is incapable of saving itself. If 'none do good, not even one,' then human effort, good deeds, or adherence to law cannot bridge the gap between our fallen state and God's perfect holiness. It reveals a desperate need for an external solution, something beyond our own corrupted capabilities.
"They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one." — The Hebrew word used for "gone aside" implies not just straying, but a deliberate turning away from a set path. This isn't about accidental missteps, but a collective, active rejection of God's way,…
