Psalms 53

Psalms 53:1-6

Sinners All-God Alone Can Help Psalms 53:1-6; Psalms 54:1-7 That Psalms 53:1-6 should be a repetition of Psa 14:1-7, with very few variations, suggests, as does the “ verily, verily” of Christ, that the truths contained in these words are worthy of special attention. They supply the Apostle, in Romans 3:1-31, with his phraseology for describing the state of the ungodly before the searching eye of Omniscience. We have here a photograph of the human heart. Jew and Gentile are alike in their innermost texture. There is nothing to choose between the Pharisee and the publican, except when either turns the balance by humble confession, as in Luke 18:9, etc. Psalms 54:1-7 is probably founded on 1 Samuel 23:19. It is short, as if compressed by the urgency of David’ s need. Evidently he was in sore straits, though conscious of the rectitude of his cause. Notice how he makes his transition from prayer to praise, Psalms 54:4. He affirms, in spite of everything, that God is still his helper. He hears the approaching footsteps of those who are pledged to uphold Him, and God is with them. As he speaks thus in the confidence of faith, the storm clears away. He is delivered; his eye has seen the defeat of his foes.

Without God A revision of Psa 14:1-7. Twice is ATHEISM denounced in the Psalter. Line must be on line, precept on precept. Mahalath is “sickness.” Does not this Psalm lay bare the hereditary tendency of the heart of man to forsake God? In Psalms 14:1-7, Elohim is thrice used, Jehovah four times; here, Elohim is used throughout. There are some other differences:–

Psalm Chapter 14(Psalms 14:1). Abominable works. (Psalms 14:3). Gone aside. (Psalms 14:5). God is in the generation of the righteous.

Psalm Chapter 53(Psalms 53:1). Abominable iniquity. (Psalms 53:3). Gone back. (Psalms 53:5). God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee.

It is as if every effort were made to find more forcible expressions to describe the sin and the doom of those who deny God.

Psalms 53:1. The seat of atheism. It is not in the head, but in the heart. And men keep on boasting of it, in the hope of making themselves believe it and in order to keep their courage up.

Psalms 53:2. The attitude of atheism. Its eyes are downward. If they were lifted for a moment, they would see God looking down.

Psalms 53:3. The universality of practical atheism. Let each beware (Hebrews 3:13).

Psalms 53:2-3. The evil effects of atheism. On the understanding and affection, so that corruption is bred through the entire nature (Romans 3:10-17).

Psalms 53:4. The cruelty of atheism. Who eat up my people. He who has no care for God is not likely to have much care for man. The prayerless man is an atheist in heart: “he calls not upon the Lord.”

Psalms 53:5. The causeless fears of atheism. How often have the enemies of God been seized with inexplicable panic! (Proverbs 28:1; 2 Kings 7:6-7.).

Psalms 53:6. The divine answer to the atheist. Even now the existence of God’s ancient people is a marvellous reply to the taunts of his foes. How dumb and silenced they will be when they see Israel restored as a nation, and when the saints shall possess the earth! Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! This is a prayer which fits every instance of depressed spiritual life.