Psalm 53

The God Who Rules the Fools

“The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God, and this he does because he is a fool. Being a fool he speaks according to his nature.”  Charles Spurgeon

God describes the word “fool” as anyone who tries to live without Him. No God, being interpreted, means no law, no order, no restraint to lust, no limit to passion.

Psalm 53 is nearly the same as Psalm 14 but there are several differences. Psalm 14 is a song, Psalm 53 is a sermon. The LORD is used 4 times in Psalm 14 and the word God (Jehovah)  is used 3 times. In Psalm 53, the word LORD is not present , but God is used 7 times. Verse 5 in Psalm 53 is not the same as in Psalm 14. Other differences

            Psalm 14                                                         Psalm 53

God’s Verdict                                                  God vengeance

Sin of man – sin in general                           man of sin- specific sin

Judicial                                                             judgemental

Why are there these differences?

The Military Hymn "Eternal Father strong to save"; written by W. Whiting in 1861 is a hymn that asks God to give help to sailors. There were no planes in 1861. Our Military did not have planes in 1860 so someone had written "Eternal Father, strong to save" again, the verse asks God to give help to airmen. Recently Admiral Donaldson added a new verse to talk about the Oceanographers. We would describe the hymn as "rewritten or "somebody wrote it again". This is what happened to Psalm 14.

David wrote in Psalm 14 about Moses bringing the Israelites through the Red Sea. He described how God had saved them from Egypt. Psalm 53 is written nearly 300 years after David died, at a time when God has saved them again. This time He saved them from the Assyrians. So, Psalm 14 was "rewritten". It became Psalm 53.

David still wrote the Psalm but it was updated with two changes:

1) They used the name God instead of LORD. They realize that He was the God of the whole world   and LORD is a name that only God’s people use. He is Lord to His people.

2) They merged and changed verses 5 and 6 in Psalm 14 to only verse 5 in Psalm 53. Sharing more of what God did in this battle “God will scatter the bones of your enemies”. The Assyrians were put to shame, God rejected them.

A review of Chapter 14:

Psalm 14      

Concerning Practical Atheism-One Who Denies God

"In all unbelief there are two things a good opinion of one's self and a bad opinion of God.”                                                                                                                                                                                                       Horatio Bonar

To the choir director  --  to be sung                                                                          This is not a song of praise, but a song of admonishing.  Not all songs are happy and joyful and how great and wonderful everything is.  We need to be honest about our walk.  Christians shouldn't just share the positives and keep the struggles secret.  This psalm is about what David is thinking. 

Paul says, in Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."   

Verse 1    Only fools say in their hearts, "There is no God."  They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!

Fool --  nabal  --  has the significance of fading, dying, or falling away, as a withered leaf or flower.  They say in their hearts (they think), no god, no god for me.  No Eloihim.

Psalm 1:3  Believers are like trees planted by the riverbank... Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do. 

Hebrews 11:6  It is impossible to please God without faith.  Anyone who wants to come to Him must:

1. believe there is a God  (if you don't believe there is a God, you are a fool.)

2. and that he rewards those who sincerely seek Him (a fool gets no rewards - only a summons to appear before Him).

They don't believe in Elohim, the Ruler, the Lawgiver, the Savior -- no God.

The fool says there is no God.

They are corrupt.

Their actions are evil.

No one does good.    Romans 3:23   For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Man stands before God for what he thinks!   He is a fool in his thinking.

They are corrupt  --  same word used in Genesis 6 to describe the people in Noah's day.  God's judgement was the flood.

This introduction of no God is so deplorable that it is preached in Psalm 53 almost word for word and Paul repeats it in Romans 3:10-12.

It is not said of a person, this man or that one, but for all those who say, "No God."

How does the fool act?   Psalm 14:1 says:

·                     They are corrupt.

·                     They do no good.

Verse 2    The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; He looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.

The Lord searches to see if there is anyone who is seeking Truth -- Is there a God?

God is looking intently, as in Sodom and Gomorrah - He looked for any who believed in Him.  He found only Lot and his family.  He won't destroy those who trust in Him.  He doesn't judge the righteous with the fools (unrighteous). 

Verse 3   But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt.  No one does good, not a single one! 

In His search He sees that all have turned away from God.  All are corrupt.  

The verdict --  They have all sinned. 

Three negatives - none, no, not one.

Nahum 1:14         ungodly are vile

Matthew 7:6         swine

Psalm 119:119   dross and refuse

Verse 4   Will those who do evil never learn?  They eat up my people like bread and wouldn't think of praying to the Lord. 

Hatred of God's way produces

·                     corruptness

·                     devouring of God's people   (as eagles prey on smaller animals and wolves devour sheep)

Will they never learn?   The ungodly devour the righteous.

The evil don't fear sin because they have no knowledge of sin.

Can you imagine them devouring God's children if they accepted the Truth of His wrath?  They haven't learned. 

They don't pray -- wouldn't think of it.

John 15:19  "Because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you."

Verse 5   Terror will grip them, for God is with those who obey Him. 

Terror will grip the fools.  Look at Haman; he trembled when he saw Mordecai.

God in/with man brings terror to the soul of a fool.  For God is with and will protect His people.

When sin collides with the holiness of God in His people, it causes terror.

Verse 6    The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but the Lord will protect His people.

The fool/wicked may frustrate, "puff" at you, taunt you.  BUT Your Lord will protect you.

The reason they taunt/frustrate you is because of your God, or your worship of or belief in God.

Psalm 91:1   He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Jesus is your hiding place.  To have a hiding place and not use it, is as bad as not having one!)

Verse 7  Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?  When the Lord restores His people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.  David is appealing to Heaven for their salvation, their restoration and for the joy that will come.

God is there to protect us.  He tells us to stay under His wings and He will protect us. 

People are out there to devour us, to devour our churches, and to devour our testimonies. 

We need to trust God.  We have the mind of Christ in us.  He will protect us and empower us to overcome our enemies. 

We have got to trust in the promises of God.  We have to choose God’s way, “The wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23

Show 'em God.      My Dad's coming.      I know Him.

He said He would come.     I can trust Him.

He's my Dad. You'll see.   There is a God!