Psalm 14
Psalm 14:1
Many people who read this think this is saying something negative about those who deny the existence of God, but (IIRC) atheism in this sense is not something that is considered anywhere in the Old Testament.
Instead, the attack is on those who are “moral atheists”, those that live as if God is not watching them, so instead of calling on God, they do what are deemed morally vile things, including oppressing the chosen people of God. This is made clear in the rest of the Psalm.
Funnily enough, despite the wording, Psalm 14:1 doesn’t even support the Christian doctrine that no man is righteous. But that’s another topic for another day.
Psalm 14:1
Quote: The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
Many people who read this think this is saying something negative about those who deny the existence of God, but (IIRC) atheism in this sense is not something that is considered anywhere in the Old Testament.
Instead, the attack is on those who are “moral atheists”, those that live as if God is not watching them, so instead of calling on God, they do what are deemed morally vile things, including oppressing the chosen people of God. This is made clear in the rest of the Psalm.
Funnily enough, despite the wording, Psalm 14:1 doesn’t even support the Christian doctrine that no man is righteous. But that’s another topic for another day.
