Single lesson
Psalm 14: The Fool Says There Is No God
Psalms 14:1–7
Psalm 14 is a song that contrasts people who reject God with people who belong to him. It speaks plainly about corruption, harm, fear, refuge and hope, and it ends by longing for God’s salvation.
Before you teach
In this psalm, the speaker describes what the fool says, what Yahweh sees from heaven, how wrongdoers treat God’s people, and how God relates to the righteous and the poor. The passage closes with a prayerful wish for Israel’s salvation and restored joy.
Describe the central teaching of Psalm 14: The Fool Says There Is No God, using two details from the reading. Psalm 14 teaches that denying God is linked with corruption, while God sees, stands with his people, and is their hope for rescue.
Welcome: Psalm 14: The Fool Says There Is No God
4 minIntroduce “The Fool Says There Is No God” and locate Psalms 14:1–7. Psalm 14 teaches that denying God is linked with corruption, while God sees, stands with his people, and is their hope for rescue. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Psalms 14:1, Psalms 14:4, Psalms 14:7
Read and explain the passage
8 minThe psalm begins with an inward statement: “There is no God.” In this passage, that is not presented as cleverness but as foolishness. The result is moral corruption and abominable deeds. The psalm’s language is broad and searching, saying no one does good. This is poetry with strong, weighty words.
The psalm asks whether workers of iniquity have any knowledge. Their wrongdoing is described as consuming God’s people as casually as eating bread. Another mark of their guilt is that they do not call on Yahweh. The passage connects evil not only with ideas about God but also with how people treat others.
Those who oppose God’s people meet fear, because God is with the generation of the righteous. The poor may have their plans frustrated by others, yet Yahweh is described as his refuge. The psalm ends by longing for salvation from Zion and for restored fortunes, rejoicing and gladness among God’s people.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The Fool Says There Is No God”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Psalms 14:1, Psalms 14:4, Psalms 14:5, Psalms 14:6, Psalms 14:7
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “How does Psalm 14 connect what a person says about God with the way they live?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Psalm 14 teaches that denying God is linked with corruption, while God sees, stands with his people, and is their hope for rescue. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Psalms 14:1, Psalms 14:2, Psalms 14:5, Psalms 14:6, Psalms 14:7
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
9 minWork on “Psalm 14: The Fool Says There Is No God: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The Fool Says There Is No God” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Psalms 14:1, Psalms 14:4, Psalms 14:7
Closing: return to The Fool Says There Is No God
3 minRevisit Psalms 14:1–7. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The Fool Says There Is No God and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Psalms 14:1, Psalms 14:4, Psalms 14:7
Questions to explore
How does Psalm 14 connect what a person says about God with the way they live?
Look at how the fool’s words are followed by descriptions of corruption and deeds in the opening verse.
Psalms 14:1
What was Yahweh looking for when he looked down from heaven?
Notice the two things named in the psalm: understanding and seeking after God.
Psalms 14:2
What reasons for hope appear at the end of this psalm?
Trace the words about God being with the righteous, being refuge for the poor, and bringing salvation and restored joy.
Psalms 14:5, Psalms 14:6, Psalms 14:7
Make, think or respond
Psalm 14: The Fool Says There Is No God: Words and images response sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A repeated word or image”, “Its verse reference”, “What it expresses”.
- Read Psalms 14:1–7. Use “The Fool Says There Is No God” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Choose one image and add a short written response or a simple drawing. Explain how it connects with the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Psalm 14: The Fool Says There Is No God connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use The Fool Says There Is No God as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between The Fool Says There Is No God and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Psalms 14:1–7. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 14
1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt. They have done abominable deeds. There is no one who does good.
2 Yahweh looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who understood, who sought after God.
3 They have all gone aside. They have together become corrupt. There is no one who does good, no, not one.
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and don’t call on Yahweh?
5 There they were in great fear, for God is in the generation of the righteous.
6 You frustrate the plan of the poor, because Yahweh is his refuge.
7 Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When Yahweh restores the fortunes of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.