Psalm 53 - "They Are Corrupt..."
MAY 12, 2023
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Have you ever wondered where corruption comes from? Well, Psalm 53 gives us a pretty
good idea where to look for its source. But first we need to get a little
background for the writing of this Psalm. The title seems to attribute it to
David. “It is called “a Maschil or a contemplation of David.” Maschil means
that it is to be used to instruct or to be a lesson. Also it was given to the
leader of the choir or the “chief musician”. This meant it would have been
intended to be sung or put to music.


We know that we remember the words of a song a whole lot better when we sing them
to some tune. Somehow the tune brings back the words to our mind. That is why
the Psalms became the “hymn book” of Israel and also the early church.  Paul told the church at Colossae: “Let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). To the church at Ephesus he wrote: “Speaking
to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).


Psalm 53 was also to be “Set to Mahalath”.  Mahalath
has to do with sickness and sorrow, and it corresponds to the mournful
condition of Israel when they forget God and go into captivity as punishment
for their idolatry and for their sins. Prophetically, this Psalm could also be
looking forward to the time of the Antichrist who will proclaim “there is no
God” and will persecute Israel and God’s people in the Tribulation period. 


One of the most interesting things about Psalm 53 is that it is almost a verbatim
repeat of Psalm 14. It is thought that the writer was possibly a musician who
simply copied Psalm 14 and set it to new music with the exception of a few
words. Many believe that David wanted to make sure the message in Psalm 14 was
remembered so he wrote it again. In any case, when God repeats something in the
Bible we should take “double” heed to it!


The major difference between Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 lies in the way the name of God
is used. In Psalm 14 the name Jehovah is used four times and the name Elohim is
used three times. Psalm 53 uses the name Elohim seven times. That is
significant. Elohim is God's name as Creator. Now notice at what point atheism
breaks through. It is relative to creation. The Bible, which is God's
revelation, is denied and is no longer considered trustworthy, infallible, and
inerrant. The first chapters of Genesis are branded as folklore and myth, even by
some men who claim to be believers. Evolution is adopted as the explanation for
the origin of all things. If there is no God, you must somehow explain how we
all got here.


Interesting, this Psalm doesn’t say the fool says out loud there is no God. He says it in
his heart. He says it because of the corruption and sin in his heart that he
wants to continue in. If he can convince himself there is no God to give an account
to, he can do what he wants and not worry about it! Read Romans 1:18 where it
says that sinful, wicked people who “suppress the truth by their wickedness”.
Why do people profess to be atheist? It is because they are corrupt, they
do evil rather than good, they do not seek God, they are workers of iniquity,
and they can’t stand people who love and live for the Lord! (vv. 1-4). You don’t
hear to many politicians proclaiming, “there is no God”.  But their policies, lives and lies, obviously
display the corruption of their heart.


The sad thing is, far too many of us, as professing Christians, are practical
atheist!  Most of the time we are living
our lives as if there was no God! May the Lord forgive and help us today!


God bless!



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