Much of this psalm reminds me of when God looked upon the world during Noah's time.  Who was longing after Him? Only Noah.  God was faithful to Noah and I think David is calling upon the faithfulness of God for His people Israel in this psalm.  David sees the chaos, sin, and struggle of a people moving without the power of God on their lives and he is broken by this.  He sees the foolishness of their struggle for power and dominion.  What good is that without God?

Though all of this is going on David reminds himself that God is present with the righteous.  God is faithful to the righteous just like in days of Noah.  David needs this reminder in the midst of such a chaotic and callused world.  He longs for the salvation only God can bring His people.  The flame/presence of God is with us just as it was with Noah and David.  Do you need to be reminded of that today?

Psalm 14

For the director of music. Of David.

1 The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.

2 The LORD looks down from heaven
on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.

4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?

They devour my people as though eating bread;
they never call on the LORD.
5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous.
6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.

7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!