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Reading: Psalm 53
For the director of music. According to mahalath. A maskil of David.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
there is no one who does good.
God looks down from heaven on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good, not even one.
Do all these evildoers know nothing?
They devour my people as though eating bread;
they never call on God.
But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
where there was nothing to dread.
God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
you put them to shame, for God despised them.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! (NIV).
I meditate on all your works — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
There is something very fresh and current about Psalm 53. Though David penned this psalm in about 1000 BC, he is describing today’s world. The fools of the world in the twenty-first century are still busy spouting their lies. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
The fool, using the logic of a fool, observes that there is no God. But it is God’s observations about mankind that strike me as being more accurate: They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
When God is taken out of the picture, corruption runs rampant, and no set of laws or regulations will change that. The problem is not laws or regulations; the problem is the state of a person’s heart. Without the love and fear of God, restraint is cast off and everyone does what is right in their own eyes. See Judges 21:25.
You see the fool doesn’t stop at claiming there is no God. He takes matters to the next logical step. In the absence of God, he asserts that he is god. He is the master of his own domain and not accountable to anyone but himself. This quickly leads to moral rot of the worst kind, since the devious mind of man can self-justify even the most heinous crimes. On a personal level it’s a rot that we must all guard against. None of us can claim moral perfection. When we do, we turn God into a liar.
Response: LORD God of heaven and earth. I bow my knees before you. Grant me a pure heart so that I can see you at work all around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Do believers deny the existence of God when they wilfully engage in corrupt behavior?
I love the Psalms 
Do you seriously believe that, when “God is taken out of the picture”, people just run rampant and do what they like and that this results in “moral rot of the worst kind”?
I live in Japan which is probably one of the least religious countries in the world and yet has an extremely low level of crime, strong family values and a very decent moral code. Which proves that it can be done. And of course Japan is not the only place like that. Most of Europe, led by the Scandinavian countries, has very little religiosity, and that has not resulted in a degeneration of society or morality. Indeed if you were to go to Copenhagen or Oslo or Stockholm and accuse people of living in moral rot of the worst kind, you would find yourself asked to leave very quickly.
You really need to visit sometime (and/or change your views).
Hi Tony. Yes, I believe moral rot is common to all humankind. I include myself in that number. I need a Savior and a repentant heart. As for morality in other countries, I lived in Japan for two years. There are many admirable things about Japan and northern European countries, not least of which is greater income equality. But the ancient psalmist uses a broad brush when he describes the human condition. We are fooling ourselves when we conclude we have no faults or moral failings. Change begins when we recognize our deficiencies.
Thanks, David, but it’s meaningless for me to have an ancient book quoted to me, especially one which contains horrific passages. I don’t see how people can cherry pick what they like and conveniently ignore the other parts.
If you were to insist on stoning to death unruly children or women found not to be virgins on their wedding night, I would at least commend you for being consistent.
However, as it is, you ignore the offensive parts, which at least shows you have more morality than the book you quote from.
Of course, we start from completely different, virtually opposite, positions. I believe in the potential of every person and that we are all born good. You apparently believe that we are created sick and need to be cured. I don’t think we are ever going to agree on much, but thanks for the courtesy of replying!
You are right about coming from polar opposite positions. And yes there are plenty of disturbing portions in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. But then we live in a very disturbing world. (Maybe you have encountered that at times.) The book I quote from calls us to a much higher morality and deeper compassion than either of us can attain. God has a way of breaking down walls and stereotypes. I’ll let Him do that work in both of us. Thanks for your comments.
Amen, “wash me with hyssop and make me white as snow” every day, precious Lord. I love you, Lord and my heart’s desire is to learn instant obedience. Thank you for being my God, my Savior, my Guide and my Lord!
Amen, WALLY! Amen. LORD!
I’m sorry, but you’re living in a fantasy world! How sad that you seem to be living your life in obedience to an unseen master. If you give up this childish nonsense and live in freedom, you will have a much more fulfilling and rewarding life.There’s still time!