Topic: The Condition of a Fool’s Heart: Psalm 53

While reading through the book of Psalm, you might notice that it sometimes repeats itself. Psalm 14 and 53 are almost word for word. Historically Psalm 14 was circulated in Judah (the southern tribes) and Psalm 53 was circulated in Israel (the Northern tribes). Psalm 53 possibly has a different writer who was ministered to through Psalm 14. The writer then added a message to his context by slightly changing the last two verses.

The theme for both chapters is the condition of a man’s heart that rejects God. The condition is that of a fool. The word ”fool” is mentioned 57 times in the Old Testament and nine times in the New Testament. In total, that is 66 times. Thus, there is a fool for every book of the Bible.

The Hebrew word for fool refers to a stupid, wicked, vile person. In the New Testament the word “fool” means one that is dull, stupid, mindless, ignorant. Today we might use the term “blockhead.”

Psalm 53:1-5 describes a fool's heart that rejects God:

“1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God,”

They are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice;

There is no one who does good.

2 God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men

To see if there is anyone who understands,

Who seeks after God.

3 Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt;

There is no one who does good, not even one.

4 Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge,

Who eat up My people as though they ate bread

And have not called upon God?

5 There they were in great fear 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.”

If that is the condition of man, is there any hope?

The Psalmist says, yes. The Psalmist shouts for joy in verse 6:

“Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!

When God restores His captive people,

Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.”

See you Sunday!

Dr, Scott Kallem