Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

PSALMS 14:4KJV
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Psalms 14:4 (KJV)

What does Psalms 14:4 mean?

Psalms 14:4 challenges people who do wrong by asking whether they understand what they are doing. The verse portrays them as consuming God’s people with the ease of eating a meal, while failing to call on the LORD.

The question gives the verse the force of an accusation. The picture of eating bread makes the harm seem routine, as though the suffering of others were as ordinary as a daily meal.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 14:4

  • “knowledge” — יָדַע (yadaʿ): This word means “to know.” Here it appears as a question about whether those who do wrong have any understanding of their actions.
  • “call” — קָרָא (qaraʾ): This word can mean “to call” or “to cry out.” Calling upon the LORD refers to addressing him, as in prayer.
  • “LORD” — יהוה (YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, represented by “LORD” in the KJV. The words “my people” present the people being harmed as belonging to him.

Why Psalms 14:4 matters

  • The verse links wrongdoing with the treatment of people. “Workers of iniquity” is followed by the image of those workers eating up God’s people.
  • The accusation becomes more pointed in the next verse. Verse 5 speaks of fear and says that God is with “the generation of the righteous,” meaning those who do what is right.

Where else these words appear

“workers” Hebrew H6466 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Psalms 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
  • Psalms 125:5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

“iniquity” Hebrew H205 · used in 78 verses

  • Numbers 23:21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
  • Psalms 53:4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
  • Proverbs 21:15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.