Bible Commentaries

Title. Maschil = Instruction (the sixth of thirteen Psalms so named. See note on Title, Psalm 32, and App-65, as to the faction of the Tyrant of Psalm 52. This Psalm for public use. See note at end. Hence Elohim (App-4), the Creator in relation to His creatures. A partial repetition of Psalm 14, which was not for public use (as Psalm 53 was); therefore Jehovah (David's God) there, and Elohim (the creature's Creator) here.

fool. May not this refer to Nabal? God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4. I. Seven times in this Psalm. In Psalm 14 three times Elohim, and four timesJehovah. Elohim more characteristic of the second (or Exodus) book.

iniquity. In Psalm 14, Hebrew "alilah = doing; here, "aval= deceit. App-44. There is none, &c. Quoted in Romans 3:1-12.

God. Hebrew "eth "Elohim (Objective). App-4. Note the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis (App-6), by which this verse is marked off as containing universal instruction, beginning and ending with the same word "God".

children of men = sons of Adam. App-14.

that did understand. Hebrew. Maschil. See note on Title.

the workers. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "all the workers".

iniquity. Hebrew. "avah. App-44.

For God hath scattered. This is an addition to Psalm 14.

despised them. Here, the wicked are in question. In Psalms 14:5, the righteous.

Oh. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6.

salvation = great salvation, plural of majesty. But some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read singular.

Zion. See App-68.

God. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "Jehovah".

Jacob . . . Israel: i.e. both natural and spiritual seed. See notes on Genesis 32:28; Genesis 43:6; Genesis 45:26, Genesis 45:28. To the chief Musician. This Psalm was edited for public use; hence the title Elohim. See notes above.

on = relating to.

Neginoth = smitings: referring to God's smitings with words and acts. See Psalms 53:5, which differs from Psalms 14:5-6. See App-65.