A Study Of Psalm 53 Series

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)