Psalms 14:3

KJV

They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.

KJV (with Strong's)

They are all gone aside {H5493}, they are all together {H3162} become filthy {H444}: there is none that doeth {H6213} good {H2896}, no, not one {H259}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But all turn aside, all alike are corrupt; no one does what is right, not a single one.

Berean Standard Bible

All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

American Standard Version

They are all gone aside; they are together become filthy; There is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 14:3 delivers a stark and universal declaration regarding the moral state of humanity, asserting that all have deviated from God's righteous path, becoming utterly corrupt. This verse emphatically states that no one, not a single individual, inherently performs true good in the sight of God, thereby highlighting humanity's pervasive fallen nature and its inability to achieve righteousness independently.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 14 is a wisdom psalm, often categorized as a lament, which begins with the chilling declaration, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" ([Psalms 14:1](/psalms/14-1 "Psalms 14:1 - The Fool's Denial of God")). The psalm then proceeds to describe the practical consequences of such a denial: widespread moral corruption and the oppression of the righteous. Verse 2 portrays God looking down from heaven to observe humanity, and verse 3 presents His conclusive, damning assessment. This psalm is remarkably similar to [Psalms 53](/psalms/53 "Psalms 53 - Another Psalm of the Fool's Folly"), with almost identical wording in its core declaration of human depravity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Attributed to King David, Psalm 14 likely reflects a period of societal decay or a general observation of human nature in contrast to divine standards. The "fool" is not necessarily an intellectual atheist but rather one who lives as if God does not exist or is irrelevant, leading to a practical atheism that manifests in moral corruption and injustice. This context highlights the tension between the righteous few who seek God and the pervasive wickedness of those who disregard Him, often leading to the exploitation of the vulnerable. The psalm's lament reflects the righteous person's distress over the prevailing ungodliness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several profound theological themes. The most prominent is **Universal Depravity**, underscored by the repeated use of "all" and the emphatic "none, not one," which signifies that this is not a condemnation of a specific group but a sweeping statement about humanity's fallen nature. This sets the stage for understanding the need for divine salvation. Another key theme is **Moral Deviation**, as "gone aside" implies a willful turning away from God's established standards and the path of righteousness. Furthermore, "become filthy" speaks to **Inherent Corruption**, portraying a deep-seated moral decay, like something putrid or spoiled, affecting all aspects of human being. Finally, the declaration that "none that doeth good" emphasizes the **Absence of True Goodness** achievable by human effort alone, thereby laying the groundwork for the New Testament's emphasis on grace and the righteousness imputed through faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gone aside (Hebrew, _sûr_ סוּר):** This verb means "to turn aside," "to deviate," or "to depart from a path." It implies a departure from a right, expected, or commanded course. In this context, it signifies a moral turning away from God's standards and righteousness, indicating a systemic and pervasive deviation by humanity.
* **Filthy (Hebrew, _’ālach_ אָלַח):** This word means "to become foul," "to putrefy," or "to be corrupt." It conveys a strong, visceral image of decay and moral stench. It describes a state of deep moral rottenness, a pervasive internal corruption that renders actions and intentions impure and repulsive in God's sight.
* **Doeth good (Hebrew, _‘āśâ ṭôḇ_ עָשָׂה טוֹב):** This phrase means "to do what is good" or "to act rightly." The emphatic negation, "none...no, not one," powerfully underscores the complete absence of inherent, God-honoring goodness originating from humanity's own efforts or nature. It highlights an inability, not merely a reluctance, to meet God's perfect standard of righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They are all gone aside":** This clause declares a universal deviation. "They" refers to humanity as a whole, as observed by God from heaven. "Gone aside" indicates a departure from the path of righteousness, truth, and obedience to God's will. It implies a collective turning away from the divine standard, a pervasive straying from what is right.
* **"they are [all] together become filthy":** This expands on the previous clause, emphasizing the collective nature of humanity's corruption. The term "filthy" (or "corrupt," "putrid") vividly describes the moral decay as something repulsive and spoiled. It suggests that this deviation has led to a deep, internal rottenness that affects every aspect of human nature—thoughts, desires, and actions—making humanity morally repugnant in God's holy presence.
* **"[there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.":** This is the most emphatic and absolute statement of the verse. It asserts that from God's perspective, no human being, by their own nature or effort, performs genuine, God-pleasing good. The double negation ("none...no, not one") leaves no room for exception, highlighting humanity's complete inability to achieve righteousness or produce truly good works apart from divine intervention and grace. This does not preclude civil good or acts of kindness, but rather speaks to an inherent lack of perfect, God-centered righteousness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 14:3 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message of universal human depravity. The most prominent is **Repetition** and **Emphasis**, particularly through the use of "all" and the concluding "no, not one." This serves to underscore the absolute and pervasive nature of humanity's fallen state, leaving no room for exceptions. The phrase "none that doeth good, no, not one" functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, not to suggest that humans are incapable of any beneficial action whatsoever, but rather to emphasize the complete absence of inherent, God-pleasing righteousness and the inability to meet God's perfect standard. The term "filthy" acts as a vivid **Metaphor**, portraying moral corruption as something physically repulsive and putrid, appealing to the senses to convey the depth of spiritual decay. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, where the clauses reinforce and elaborate on the same core idea of universal moral failure, building to the ultimate conclusion of humanity's utter lack of inherent goodness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a cornerstone for understanding the biblical doctrine of human sinfulness and depravity. It asserts that humanity, in its natural state, is fundamentally alienated from God, morally corrupt, and incapable of achieving righteousness through its own efforts. This is not merely a statement about individual acts of sin, but about the pervasive condition of human nature after the Fall—a condition where every aspect of being is tainted by sin, rendering humanity unable to seek God or do what is truly good in His eyes. This profound truth highlights the absolute necessity of divine intervention for salvation and underscores that any genuine goodness found in humanity is a result of God's transforming grace, not inherent human merit. It lays the groundwork for the Gospel message, which offers a divine solution to humanity's universal problem of sin.

* [Romans 3:10-12](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10-12 - Paul's Comprehensive Argument for Universal Sinfulness")
* [Genesis 6:5](/genesis/6-5 "Genesis 6:5 - God's Assessment of Humanity's Great Wickedness Before the Flood")
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Human Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 14:3 serves as a profound mirror, reflecting the unvarnished truth about the human condition apart from God's grace. It calls us to a posture of deep humility, dispelling any notion of self-righteousness or inherent moral superiority. Recognizing that "none that doeth good, no, not one" apart from God's work in us should cultivate a profound appreciation for the immeasurable gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, who alone is truly good and righteous. This understanding fosters a radical dependence on the Holy Spirit for transformation and empowerment to live a life pleasing to God. It also fuels our compassion and urgency for evangelism, as it clarifies humanity's desperate need for the Gospel—the good news that offers redemption and righteousness to all who believe, regardless of their past.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge a purely optimistic view of human nature or the belief that people are inherently good?**
* **In what ways does recognizing our inherent inability to "do good" apart from God deepen our appreciation for Christ's perfect righteousness and atoning work?**
* **How should this truth shape our approach to evangelism, discipleship, and our understanding of spiritual growth?**

### FAQ
**Does "none that doeth good" mean no one ever does anything good at all, like acts of kindness or charity?**

Answer: No, this verse does not mean that individuals are incapable of performing any civil good, acts of kindness, or even actions that appear benevolent from a human perspective. Rather, it is a theological statement about humanity's inherent spiritual condition and its inability to produce perfect, God-pleasing righteousness that meets His holy standard. In the context of the Bible, "good" in this sense refers to actions and intentions that are perfectly aligned with God's will, motivated by pure love for Him, and untainted by sin. Apart from God's grace, human "goodness" is always flawed, self-serving in some measure, or insufficient to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. The verse highlights a fundamental moral bankruptcy in relation to God's absolute holiness, not a complete absence of all positive human behavior.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of "total depravity"?**

Answer: Psalms 14:3 is a foundational Old Testament text supporting the doctrine of total depravity, a key tenet of Reformed theology. Total depravity does not mean that every human being is as evil as they could possibly be, or that they are incapable of performing any good deeds in a societal sense. Instead, it teaches that sin has corrupted every part of human nature—the mind, emotions, will, and body—making humanity utterly incapable of seeking God, understanding spiritual truth, or pleasing God on its own. Every faculty of human being is affected by sin, rendering humanity spiritually dead and unable to initiate salvation or produce genuine righteousness apart from God's sovereign grace. This verse, with its emphatic "none that doeth good, no, not one," powerfully articulates this comprehensive impact of sin on the human heart and will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 14:3, with its stark declaration of universal human depravity, serves as the essential backdrop against which the glory of the Gospel shines most brightly. If "none that doeth good, no, not one," then humanity is utterly lost and without hope in itself, desperately needing a divine solution. This is precisely where Jesus Christ enters the narrative. He is the unique and singular individual who perfectly fulfilled the law, lived a sinless life, and truly "did good" in every sense, embodying perfect righteousness ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). His life of perfect obedience and His sacrificial death on the cross provide the only means by which humanity's inherent "filthiness" can be cleansed and its inability to "do good" overcome. Through faith in Christ, His perfect righteousness is imputed to believers ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), and the Holy Spirit regenerates the heart, empowering believers to genuinely "do good" as a fruit of their new nature ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")). Thus, this psalm's diagnosis of humanity's terminal condition points directly to Christ as the sole Physician and the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, not human merit ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.