The Fool (Psalm 53)

Is it foolish to disregard God in life and suffer the consequences of atheism? Let’s look at Psalm 53.

What is the primary cause and what is the natural result of atheism?

[For the choir director: on Mahalath {perhaps a mournful musical instrument}. A Davidic Maskil.{perhaps a contemplation}] The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.” They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good. (Ps 53:1 HCSB)

Does Romans 1 say something similar about the real motive behind atheism, the denial of the obvious in the face of ubiquitous evidence?

For God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of those who in their wickedness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God himself has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been understood and observed by what he made, so that people are without excuse. (Rom 1:18-20 ISV)

As God observes humanity, is He disappointed in what He finds?

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Ps 53:2-3 KJV)

Are there disgusting people in our world who consume people’s lives like bread?

Do the workers of iniquity not know, Who eat up my people as they eat bread And do not call upon God? (Ps 53:4 LSB)

Does sudden terror overwhelm those who camp in siege against God? Will God eventually put atheists to shame?

They were in great fear there, where no fear had been; For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you; You put them to shame, because God had rejected them. (Ps 53:5 NASB)

Despite all our human failure will God eventually restore His people?

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! (Ps 53:6 NIV)

Did Paul write to the Romans quoting this Psalm, that none of us can really brag about how perfect we are? Do we all need God’s gracious mercy?

As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” (Rom 3:10-12 NKJV)

Is it foolish to disregard God in life and suffer the consequences of atheism? You decide!