Psalms 14:3

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

Psalms 14:3 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 14 is attributed to King David. It is a lament over the corruption and wickedness that fill the earth. The psalm opens with the fool who says in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1). The corruption described in verse 3 is the result of denying God. David speaks not of a few sinners but of all humanity, showing that sin is universal and that people need God’s intervention.

Meaning

The verse begins with “They are all gone aside.” This phrase pictures people leaving the path of righteousness, like sheep that wander away. The word “filthy” means morally defiled and decayed, like sour milk or rotten fruit. The final statement, “there is none that doeth good, no, not one,” is absolute. No person, by their own effort, can produce true goodness before God. This is the biblical teaching of total depravity: sin affects every part of human nature, leaving no one righteous on their own.

Biblical connections

The apostle Paul quotes this verse in Romans 3:10-12 to prove that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin and need God’s righteousness through faith in Christ. The same truth appears in Psalm 53:3, which repeats the message. The imagery of going aside is like debtors who have run out of resources and are bankrupt, unable to pay what they owe. This spiritual bankruptcy began with Adam’s fall (Genesis 3:8, 24) and affects every person born into the world.

Application

This verse humbles us. It removes any reason to boast in our own goodness or moral efforts. We must acknowledge our sinfulness and turn to God for mercy, relying on His righteousness rather than our own. It also warns against self-righteousness and complacency. Believers should examine their lives daily and depend on Christ, who alone is good. Recognizing our bankruptcy drives us to the Savior.

Reflection

Although this verse paints a grim picture, it points to hope. The following verses (Psalm 14:4-7) express confidence in God’s deliverance and the restoration of the righteous. Because no one does good on their own, salvation must come from God. He provides the way through Jesus Christ, who lived the goodness we lack and died for our sin. Our hope rests not in our own works but in God’s grace.