Psalm 53—Salvation Overwhelms Abominable Evil

It’s easy to talk big when you think you know everything. Imagine with me all of the people across this world and throughout history who banked on what they saw and thought they knew. And they did not bank on what faith claimed.

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.” Psalm 53:1

Fools say that there is no God.

What may seem as simple ignorance is much worse. Fools are corrupted and engage in horrendous evil. However, when God looks down from heaven, he sees a world full of people who are fallen, broken, and corrupt.

“God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” Psalm 53:2-3

God created our world. When he looked upon it after creating us, he was pleased. “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

But now, he looks down long after the fall of mankind, and he sees the results of brokenness and rebellion. He seeks after anyone who has understanding. He seeks after anyone seeking him. They have all fallen away. Corrupted. Not one does good. Let that sink in. There are no good people and bad people. We are all fallen. Broken. In need of a Savior.

“Have those who work evil no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?” Psalm 53:4

David seems to be alarmed. He realizes he is like Isaiah: “…I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). He looks and evil people are everywhere. They are all without knowledge. God’s enemies seek to devour his people, assuming there will be no response against them. Unbridled. Rampant evil.

And so, they do not call on God because they assume that they are self-sufficient, a law unto themselves.

“There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you; you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.” Psalm 53:5

With your eyes on what you can see, you easily recoil at the terror. However, there is no fear necessary. Think about it. Here we are on earth. Destroyed emotionally in terror. Loss. Death. Brokenness. Persecution. Enemies. And the fear is a waste of our time. God has already scattered the bones of our enemies. Our faith, our trust, our endurance puts our enemies to shame.

I’m reminded of Psalm 13:1-2 and these words of lament: “How long, O Lord? … How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” All around us in our broken world are the enemies of our soul. Death. Sin. Loss. Pain. Suffering. Enemies.

I cry out with David that salvation would come to us quickly. God is taking brokenness and restoring the fortunes of his people. Like Jacob, let us rejoice. Like Israel, let us be glad.

“Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.” Psalm 53:6