Slideshow image

"The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man,"

~ Psalm 14:2a

 

Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 are near mirror images of one another.  I would encourage you to compare these psalms in parallel to one another.  Verse 1a, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”, harkens back a couple of weeks to Psalm 10:4,

“In the pride of his face, the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’”

These psalms (14/53) make clear the truth of universal human sinfulness and of individual total depravity.  There are “none who do good.” (v.1c,3b)…all “are corrupt” (v.1b,3a)…all “do abominable things” (v.1b)…“all are evildoers” (v.4a)…none have understanding (v.2b) or knowledge (v.4a)…none who “seek after God” (v.2b) or “call upon the LORD” (v.4b).  The repeated use (or implication) of “all” and “none” makes inclusion inescapable for me and you and all people of all time. (See also Genesis 6:5,11-12)   Our hearts are desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9) and in need of rescue and redemption.

So clear and certain in this truth (universal sinfulness and total depravity) that verse 3 is quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 3.  This is a chapter on righteous within Paul’s great discourse and explication of the gospel.  You should check that out later as well.

In the final verse of this psalm (v.7), David makes a plea for salvation to come.  Not a cry as in wishing that something would happen differently or that will not/could not; but instead, a cry desperate that what he had full certainty would happen, would happen NOW.  David knew the promises of God for a Savior yet to come.  He trusted in God’s promise fully, banking his entire life upon it.

We know that salvation has indeed come out of Zion in the person and work of Jesus Christ, but not just for Israel, but for all the world.  God’s grace is universally available through faith in his provision.  We too should fully trust in God’s promise and provision, banking our entire life upon it. 

Let us rejoice and be glad!