Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 14:1

1. 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 .

(i. e.) The wicked man: For such are commonly and justly called Fools every where in Scripture, and that purposely to meet with their false, yet common Conceit of themselves, as if they were the only wise men, and all others were Fools.

(i. e.) In his secret Thoughts, or within himself, being afraid and ashamed to utter it with his mouth. Not that it was his fixed and constant Opinion and Judgment, but this he saith by Construction, because he heartily wisheth there were no God, and lives as if there were none. So this Text may be explained by comparing it with Psal. 36. 1. and Tit: 1. 16.

He denies not God's Being or Existence, but only his Providence. He saith not, there is no Iehovah, which name of God notes his being, but no Elohim, which expresseth God as the Judge and Governour of the World, who observes and recompenseth all the Actions of all men according to their several Qualities.

Heb. They have corrupted, to wit, themselves, or their ways, as this word commonly signifies. Their great and wilful Wickedness is alledged as a ground of their Atheism or Infidelity.

None of their Actions are really and thoroughly good or pleasing to God; for if some of them be materially good, as when they do an act of Justice or Charity, yet they are poisoned with bad Principles or Ends, not being performed by them out of a good Conscience, and serious Care to please God, for then they would do one good Action as well as another, but in Hypocrisy, or with vain Glory, or some finister and unworthy Design.

e To wit, of the Fools here described.

Marginal references: Psal. 10. 4. & 53. 1.; Rom. 1. 21. &c.