Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
Read it in contextPsalm 14
Start reading at Psalms 14:1 (Psalms 14:1 to Psalms 14:7).
The entire Psalm 14 forms a complete literary unit, beginning with the fool's declaration and ending with a plea for Israel's salvation.
14:1The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
14:2The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
14:3They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
14:4Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
14:5There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
14:6Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
14:7Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 14:1–14:7): The speaker describes human corruption to hearers and expresses Israel's hope for deliverance. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the widespread corruption and lack of knowledge among those who reject God, who oppress God's people and do not call upon the LORD, contrasted with God's presence among the righteous and the hope for Israel's salvation.
What is God revealing? God is revealing the depravity of humanity, specifically the spiritual blindness and oppressive actions of the wicked, and His own steadfast presence with the righteous, along with the ultimate promise of salvation for His people.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, characteristic of worship.
When
When was it written? This psalm was written during David's time, around 1000 B.C., as part of the collection of Psalms that spans c. 1400 to 450 B.C.
When does the event take place? The events described are observations about the ongoing human condition of sin and the oppression of God's people, applicable across various times. The longing for God to 'bringeth back the captivity of his people' suggests a time of distress or exile.
Where
Where did it happen? The actions described are general observations about human behavior. The hope for salvation is expressed as coming 'out of Zion', pointing to Jerusalem.
Where was the author located? The author, David, was located in Israel.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Psalm 14 (Psalms 14:1 to Psalms 14:7).
Start reading at Psalms 14:1. The entire Psalm 14 forms a complete literary unit, beginning with the fool's declaration and ending with a plea for Israel's salvation.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 14 is a lament and wisdom psalm that highlights the universal sinfulness of humanity and the need for God's intervention. It sets the stage for understanding God's righteous judgment and His ultimate plan for salvation, which is a recurring theme throughout the Psalms and the rest of Scripture. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? The psalm describes the universal sinfulness of humanity, stating 'there is none that doeth good, no, not one' (Psalms 14:3), which underscores the need for a perfect deliverer. The hope for 'the salvation of Israel' (Psalms 14:7) points to Christ, through whom God brings salvation to His people. The 'workers of iniquity' who 'eat up my people' (Psalms 14:4) foreshadow the opposition and persecution faced by God's people, which Christ Himself endured and overcame. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This psalm calls believers today to recognize the spiritual blindness and moral corruption prevalent in the world, especially among those who reject God and oppress others. It encourages reliance on the LORD as a refuge (Psalms 14:6) and to long for God's ultimate deliverance and the full establishment of His kingdom, reminding us that true knowledge and understanding begin with acknowledging God.
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 14
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
“The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children…”
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
“Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who…”
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.