Psalm 53

1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Key Verse:
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Key Observation:
This psalm is very similar to Psalm 14. McGee points to an exclusive use of “Elohim” in this psalm, contrasting Jehovah being used often in Psalm 14. Elohim emphasizes our creator God, denoting the fool’s first move from belief is to deny creation.

Memory Verse:
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Devotion:
“Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee. An old Scotchman says: “It is a good thing in a good place for a good purpose.” Many people have the Bible in their heads, or in their pockets, but we need to get it down into our hearts.” (D.L. Moody) The mark of the atheist is that he believes not; usually the word of God means nothing to him, and he starts his atheism by denying creation. Elohim, as noted above, is used over and over here to signify our Creator God. I read something that other day, a cute little ditty: “If you are an atheist, how can you be mad at God?”

I would like to offer something radical—all people know there is a creator God. I believe we are all created with His image being stamped into us. Romans says: “since what may be known about God is plain to them”. God will one day hold us responsible for not acting on that knowledge. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he is and that he is a rewards those who earnestly seek him." Notice I am not saying that we are born knowing the gospel; rather we are born with enough natural revelation around us to plainly see that there is a Creator. There is something in how we are made that makes us look for the Creator, though we cannot find Him apart from revelation.

We are not born, at least so far as I can know, knowing the redemption that God has in Christ; rather each of us has to learn it. Of course we can learn it from the Word directly, but I rather think that most of us learn it when someone we hear is making the Word plain to us. It is the Spirit of God, convicting us of sin and of the righteousness of Christ that brings us to him. I was reading something yesterday where the church leader evidently believed in some sort of almost “magical” quality to the Word, though I think he would deny it, being stated that way. The Word, he said, interacts somehow with our obedience to the sacraments, and somehow becomes activated. Rubbish! The Word of God is just the record of saints through many ages. It has zero power in itself. When it has the Spirit of God behind it, as the Holy Spirit does his work, it will stand through all eternity, as the record of God’s love and mercy for mankind. If there is any activating done at all, it is done through the Holy Spirit, and not through the text. Do not misunderstand me; it is the Word of God, absolutely inspired of God-but apart from the Spirit of God it has no power to change lives. It is the Spirit who does that. Yes I know you remember: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Again I submit to you that this is through the work of the Holy Spirit. How do I know? The word of God makes it plain that “no man can come to Christ, except that the Father has enabled him.” (John 6:65) It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment. (John 16:8) He often uses the inspired Word of God to do this; but the Word alone will not draw men to God. It takes the intercession of God, the power of God to make plain to men what they must believe. It is the Holy Spirit of God who does this for everyone who has believed.

But how about an atheist? When he reads the Word of God isn’t he apt to come to Christ? That depends on whether the Spirit activates the word to the man, as well as the man’s response. Many people study and know the scriptures but they wrest them to their own destruction, not allowing themselves to be convicted. “Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” The mercies of God are a mystery. Often we see someone become a believer who has famously and foolishly denied the Christ, but even more often we see people completing their lives as fools.

Notice that the atheist will encamp about Israel (v.5) but he shall be put to shame. This is a reference to the antichrist. Salvation will come out of Zion! Do not grow weary of well-doing, for our salvation draws nigh.


Well, I'm tired and so weary
But I must go along
Till the Lord comes and calls me away, oh yes
Where the morning's so bright
And the Lamb is the light
And the night is as bright as the day, oh yes

There will be peace in the valley for me some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord, I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow, no trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me!