Psalm 14 is almost identical to Psalm 53. They appear to have been transmitted separately, the former finding a place in Book I of the Psalter and the latter in Book II. The most obvious difference between them lies in the divine name. Psalm 14 uses the personal name “Yahweh” (rendered “the LORD” in the NIV), and Psalm 53 uses “God” (Hb. ʾelōhîm), as is customary in the Elohistic Psalter (Pss. 42–83).

These psalms stand apart from the rest for their universal perspective, their universal condemnation of humanity, and their reference to atheism. Their literary form is also unique, a fact that makes it difficult to determine their social setting and date. Scholars have variously characterized them as a prophetic liturgy (H.-J. Kraus, Psalms 1–59, vol. 1 of Psalms, A Commentary [trans. H. C. …