September 21, 2016 (Wednesday)
Psalm 53 is very much like Psalm 14. The difference seems to be the historical setting of each Psalm. This Psalm seems to recount history, the flood and the Egyptian captivity. God gave victory to His people at the Red Sea. Psalm 53 seems to be saying many of the same things regarding the destruction of Sennacharib’s army outside the gates of Jerusalem, many years later.
Psalm 14
I. God’s People Have Enemies
II. God Is On the Side of His People
III.God Will Vindicate His People
Psalm 14
New International Version (NIV)
For the director of music. A Psalm of David.
.
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!
At first glance, this psalm seems to condemning those who deny God’s existence, but the meaning of the “fool’s” statement is, “no God for me.” The sin is not, “atheism,” but “rebellion.” The condemnation of the Psalm is aimed at a generation that rejected God’s involvement in their daily lives. They turned a deaf ear to God. The preferred to live by their own rules. And so the flood came and everyone except Noah and his family was destroyed. (vv 1-3)
Years later the Egyptians held Israel in captivity. Under Moses, the people fled to the Red Sea, where the waters opened up to let them pass safely, but closed upon the Egyptian army and destroyed it. (vv 4-6)
Ultimate victory belongs to God’s people (Israel). (v 7).