A Study of Psalm 53
Psalm 53
Introduction
- Good evening … short intro on new format
- Open to all, may allow more to attend due to busy schedules
- Comments can be seen by all, questions can be asked through them
- Invite: Advent series on SUNDAY mornings at the church
- This Psalm is out of order from our study
-- I feel like we need more assurance injected into the season
- Believers face criticism trying to share Christ at this time
-- However, a Psalm like this can give us insight into why that is
-- Additionally, it can help us understand why we must persevere
- One take-away: God is everything we need; let’s examine that tonight
- Read Psalm 53 / Pray
Point 1 – How does David identify a fool?
- What is a fool?
• His heart rejects God (1a)
- David’s view of humanity is described as foolish
-- Fool is one who rejects and ignores who God is
-- In essence, fool lives as if there is no God to ever deal with (life about them)
-- Truth: knowing there is … is what brings us to Him; desire reconciliation
• His life refuses God (1b, c)
o He is morally corrupt; rejection of God leads to this
o He is ethically vile; vile=injustice or iniquity (lives for self)
- Living with such corruption leads to destruction; separation forever
-- APP: Apart from God’s grace, no one can live and do what is right
-- Why? Internally, we are sinful and desire our own thing; David ID’s that
- God knows who are foolish
• He is observed by God (2)
- FACT: No one is able to hide from God; He sees everything
-- Insight: Saying there is no God does not absolve you from His commands
-- God’s examination of us is total … without favoritism
- CHALL: Do we (creation) recognize who He is? This is v2b in a nutshell
- Those who do not; or who refuse, are summed up in v3-4
• David says: He is offensive to God (3)
o All have turned away: left to ourselves, we’ll do our own thing
o All have turned corrupt; our own thing leads to corrupt ways
o All have turned evil; corruption leads to doing evil (unpleasing)
- It takes maturity to first admit who we are; we are sinners at our core
-- Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”
-- David’s implication is simple: Left to ourselves, we will eventually stray
• And so, he asks, “Don’t they (we) know anything?” (4)
- Don’t we (they) understand that our desires lead to selfish/wicked ways?
-- Actually, those who do evil (see 4b) are the ones who devour faithful
- Consider: Who rejects God? Sinners who don’t want to repent!
-- This includes believers BTW, we are not exclusive in that category (Rom 3:23)
-- But, specifically, those who turn away from God seek to ruin those who don’t
- TRANS: So, what happens to those who are foolish?
Point 2 – How does God react?
- God will eventually not allow the continued rebellion to continue
-- Those who profess to be godless will one day see who God is
-- David promises this in crystal clear words
- The wicked will be judged
• He is scattered by God (5a)
o Their dread is increased by God; dread comes from knowing
- There will be a realization that the decisions made are right or wrong
-- “Dread” used here is Hebrew word pahad, meaning terror or panic
-- One day the enemies of the Lord will know who He is; they will realize
- Cannot stress this enough … It is His battle …
-- 2 Chronicles 20:15, “He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.
o Their bones are strewn by God
- Think of a battlefield, the after effects of a massive battle
-- Image to me is photos of Battle of Gettysburg, 50,000 died there
-- Bodies are strewn about, defeated -- and in many cases destroyed
- In a battle with the Lord, the imagery is the same
-- The visual picture here is the same … God does the winning; defeats enemies
- However, … (hope purposefully inserted here)
- The faithful are delivered
• Our salvation is by God (6a); Lord, bring your salvation (rescue)
• Our restoration is by God (6b); Lord, only you can restore (save)
• Our celebration is in God (6c); Lord, my praise is because of you (honor)
- It is when we fully understand who He is that our focus changes
-- How? We stop trying to play God, and submit ourselves to Him (as Lord)
Big Idea
- David sees the depravity and final destruction of humans who reject God
- It prompts David’s longing for the deliverance of God’s people
- IMP: That deliverance comes through Jesus Christ … beginning at birth (season)
- He has always been the promise we’d need/receive … what more do you need?
- We need to understand who we are (v1-5), to see the joy in v6 b/c of Him
- Christmastime is a perfect opportunity to share (hope, faith, passion, grace)
- Pray
* Special thanks to Holman Old Testament Commentary for the foundational outline of this sermon.