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Psalm 14 · a question people ask

"Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!" (14:7). Is this about Jesus?

In the text

The psalm names no one. It longs for salvation "out of Zion" and says what will follow: "When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad" (14:7). In Hebrew salvation is yeshu'ah (tap salvation). Paul has the words out of Zion too, after "Even as it is written": "There will come out of Zion the Deliverer, and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob" (Romans 11:26). Romans doesn't name its source, and its words go on in a way Psalm 14:7's don't. Isaiah has close words: "A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from disobedience in Jacob" (Isaiah 59:20). These notes don't say which Scripture Paul means, or that Psalm 14:7 speaks of Jesus. The psalm's line to Jesus runs through 14:1-3 instead, the words Romans 3:10-12 gives (see the line to Jesus).

The verses

“Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.”
Psalm 14:7 · World English Bible
“and so all Israel will be saved. Even as it is written, “There will come out of Zion the Deliverer, and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”
Romans 11:26 · World English Bible
““A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from disobedience in Jacob,” says the LORD.”
Isaiah 59:20 · World English Bible
“As it is written, “There is no one righteous; no, not one. There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God. They have all turned away. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not so much as one.””
Romans 3:10-12 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 14

Psalm 14: The fool has said in his heart

The LORD's look in 14:2 has Genesis 11:5's words (the LORD, to see, the children of men), and 14:1's "They are corrupt" is the verb of Genesis 6:12. Where Psalm 14 says "the LORD", Psalm 53 says "God". And Paul takes the psalm's "not one" (Romans 3:10-12) on to "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ" (Romans 3:22).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions