53:1Echoing the message of Psalm 14, this psalm proclaims the footishness of atheism (see also Romans 3:10). People may say there is no God in order to cover up their sin, to have an excuse to continue in sin, and/or to ignore the Judge in order to avoid the judgment. “Fools” do not necessarily lack intelligence, many atheists and unbelievers are highly educated. Fools are people who reject God, the only one who can save them.
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 53
Psalm 53
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 899, 900
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53Psalm 53
Author: David
153 For the choir director: A meditation; a psalm* of David.Only fools say in their hearts,“There is no God.”They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;not one of them does good!
2God looks down from heavenon the entire human race;he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,if anyone seeks God.52:TITLE Hebrew maskil. This may be a literary or musical term.or musical term.
3But no, all have turned away;all have become corrupt.*No one does good,not a single one!
4Will those who do evil never learn?They eat up my people like breadand wouldn't think of praying to God.
5Terror will grip them,terror like they have never known before.God will scatter the bones of your enemies.You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
6Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?When God restores his people,Jacob wilt shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.Theme: A call for God to overcome enemies. God is our helper, even in times of hurtand betrayal.
Textual footnotes
- 53:3 Greek version reads have become useless. Compare Rom 3:12. 54: TITLE Hebrew maskil. This may be
Life Application Notes 2 notes
53:4,5While God is not affected by what we think of him, we are definitely and eternally affected by what God thinks of us. This psaim begins with the bald claim that there is no God, but by this verse, the true reason for rejecting God has become clear. The reason people reject God has nothing to do with God's existence and everything to do with people's sinfulness. In our desire to do wrong, we treat God as if he doesn’t exist. When God passes judgment, it will be too late to apologize and admit we were wrong. Rejection of God will turn into terror of God.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 900
yuu §3:3 Rom 3:10, 12
Study feature · page 900
Interlude
Study feature · page 900
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