Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ps 14:1 and following. Indeed, truly foolish, the one who, before all the testimonies that God has given of his power and love, closes his eyes, hardens his heart and declares: There is no God (Ps 10:4-6; Jer 5:12-14). But if not all men are atheists, all without exception are devoid of true intelligence. For none seeks that God whose existence he recognizes – unless He himself operates in his heart. It is awful, this picture of humanity as God can contemplate it from heaven. But let’s not forget, this rebellious and corrupt race, by nature, is the one to which you and I belong. After the sad observation of Psalm 14:1 “There is no one who does good… Psalm 15 can rightly ask the question: “Who will stay in your tent…? Romans chapter 3, which quotes verses 1 to 3 of Psalm 14, then reveals the glorious truth that concerns us: Of these men, all proven sinners, God freely justifies those who believe (Rom 3:9-26).
The characteristics of the faithful Israelite are also those that grace must produce in a Christian: justice and truth in walking, deeds and words; kindness to one’s neighbour; appreciation of good and evil according to God’s measure (Isa 33:15; 16 is 33:13-17). This psalm presents us with the solitary meditation of a soul in the presence of the impiety of the world. The psalmist pronounces the verdict that God gives as to man, after having solemnly inquired about his state (as in the past at Babel and Sodom, Gen. 11:5 and 18:21) – then he announces the ruin of men, when God will manifest himself in the middle of his generation (whose character is therefore the opposite of that of which is referred to in Ps. 12:8-9), and he concludes by expressing his desire to see this day rise.
The king “who will act according to his good pleasure” in the last days, is certainly evoked in the expression “foolish”, or atheist, at the beginning of this psalm; for the confederation of which he is the head must be broken when salvation, seen here in advance, comes from Zion. But man is always man. “What is born of the flesh is flesh.” So that the apostle can quote this psalm in Rom. 3, in his description of men. For all of us are by nature animated by the spirit of the “iniquitous,” or the atheist – strangers to the life of God (Eph. 4). Or rather the ally because it is the Antichrist (second beast of Apoc. 13), satanic support of the Roman Empire (first beast). Thus, although this psalm is both the meditation of Jesus and his faithful residue considering the unbelievers of the last days, every enlightened soul can make it his own (Ps. 53).
For there is a prediction concerning the future oppression of their nation: as if David, through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, was mourning the afflicted condition of God’s Church under the tyranny of the Gentiles. They therefore refer what is said here to the scattered condition in which we see them today, as if they were that precious inheritance of God that wild beasts devour. But it’s quite obvious that in wanting to cover up the disgrace of their nation, they are snatching and applying to the Gentiles, without any just motive, what is said about the evil children of Abraham. We certainly cannot find a more qualified interpreter than the apostle Paul, and he applies this psalm expressly to those who lived under the law, (Romans 3:19.) Moreover, although we have not had the testimony of this Apostle, the structure of the psalm shows very clearly that David means domestic tyrants and enemies of the faithful rather than strangers; a point that we need to understand.
Indeed, we know that it is a temptation that pains us greatly, to see wickedness burst and prevail in the midst of the Church, the good and the simple unjustly afflicted, while the wicked cruelly dominate according to their pleasure. This sad sight discourages us almost completely; and therefore we need very much to be strengthened by the example that David presents to us here: so that, in the midst of the greatest desolations we see in the Church, we may console ourselves with this assurance, that God will finally be there to deliver them. For it is described here the disorderly and desolate state of Judea that Saul introduced when he began to rage openly. Then, as if the memory of God had been extinguished from the minds of men, all piety had disappeared, and as far as integrity or righteousness among men was concerned, there was as little as piety.
We commonly see that those who, in estimating themselves and others, excel in sagacity and wisdom, use their cunning to set traps and exercise the ingenuity of their minds to despise and mock God. It’s therefore important for us, in the first place, to know that if the world applauds these cunning and mocking figures, who allow themselves to indulge to any degree in wickedness, the Holy Spirit condemns them as fools; for there is no stupidity more brutal than forgetting God. We must, however, at the same time, carefully mark the evidence on which the psalmist comes to the conclusion that they have rejected any sense of religion, and that is this: that they have overturned all order, so that they make no distinction between good and evil, and respect neither honesty nor love of humanity. David does not speak of the hidden affection of the hearts of the wicked, except to the extent that they discover themselves through their external actions.
For the importance of his language is as follows: how is it that these men indulge in their lusts so boldly and so outrageously, that they pay no regard to justice or fairness? In short, that they rush into all kinds of wickedness, if not because they have shaken every sense of religion, and extinguished, as much as they can, every memory of God of their spirit? When people retain in their hearts any sense of religion, they must necessarily have a certain modesty and be to some extent restrained and prevented from not fully considering the precepts of their conscience. It follows that when the ungodly allow themselves to follow their own inclinations, with as much stubbornness and audacity as they are represented here as doing, without any sense of shame, it is proof that they have rejected all fear of God.
Thus, in Ps 14, evil reached its peak before God: What is always true of the flesh is now placed under God’s gaze, at the time when he is going to judge. Men proudly rise up against Him: yes, this is what brings judgment. Jehovah looks from heaven to see if there is anyone among men who has intelligence or seeks God. But there is no one. There is indeed a residue, in which grace operates, which Jehovah already recognizes as his people; and the wicked devour him as they would eat bread; they do not invoke the Lord. Man’s pride and wickedness are there in their full blossoming; but soon everything changes: God is in the midst of the righteous generation. Fear falls on the proud who, shortly before, threw opprobrium to the afflicted because he confided in the Lord. Verse 7 shows us that all this is presented in an anticipated and prophetic way and makes us see where and how everything will be accomplished: this is the desire of the pious man according to the intelligence of faith. The righteous await deliverance, he expects it from Zion, let’s notice, not being satisfied until the Lord establishes his praise there. The people are seen as captive.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
The faithful and their God in a corrupt world:
· Moral corruption
Gen 6:12 God looked at the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way on earth. Mt 23:28 You too, on the outside, seem righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Luke 11:39 But the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees” cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, and inside you are full of rapine and wickedness. Rm 1.30 rapporteurs, gossip, ungodly, arrogant, haughty, boastful, ingenious to evil, rebellious to their parents, devoid of intelligence,
· Wicked heart, characteristics of evil
-Stubbornness Ec 8:11 Because a sentence against evil deeds is not carried out promptly, the hearts of the sons of man are filled in them with the desire to do evil.
-Foolishness Ec 9:3 This is an evil among all that is done under the sun, it is that there is for all the same fate; so the hearts of the sons of man are full of wickedness, and madness is in their hearts during their lives; after which, they go to the dead. For who is excepted?
-Depravity Jr 1:9 Then the Lord stretched out His hand, and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, Behold, I put my words in your mouth.
-Extortion and excess Mt 23:25 Woe to you, hypocritical scribes and Pharisees! because you clean the outside of the cup and the dish, and inside they are full of rapine and intemperance.
-Source all evil Mk 7:21 For it is from within, it is from the hearts of men, that evil thoughts, adultery, immodesty, murder,
-Source of unbelief and lust Hb 3:12 Beware, brother, that someone of you has an evil and unbelieving heart, to the point of turning away from the living God. 2 Pet 2:14 Their eyes are full of adultery and insatiable with sin; they initiate souls badly strengthened; they have hearts exercised in greed; they are children of curse.
· Condemned evil works
John 7:7 The world cannot hate you; I hate me, because I bear witness to him that his works are evil. John 8:41 You do the works of your father. They said to him: We are not illegitimate children; we have one Father, God. Gal 5:19 Now, the works of the flesh are manifest, they are immodesty, impurity, dissolution, 2 Pet 2:8 (for this righteous man, who dwelt among them, tormented his soul daily just because of what he saw and heard of their criminal works); Jude 15 to exercise judgment against all, and to hold accountable to all the ungodly among them for all the acts of impiety they have committed and for all the insulting words spoken against him by ungodly sinners.
· Divine presence, comfort for the righteous
-During the earthly pilgrimage Gen 28:15 Behold, I am with you, I will keep you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land; for I will not abandon you, that I have not carried out what I say to you.
Bring rest Ex 33:14 The Lord answered: I myself will walk with you, and I will give you rest.
-Gives courage in the struggles of life. Dt 20:1 When thou shalt go to war against thy enemies, and see horses and chariots, and a people more numerous than you, thou shalt not fear them; for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.
-Comfort in the moments of trial Esa 43:2 If you cross the waters, I will be with you; And the rivers, they will not overwhelm you; If you walk in the fire, you will not burn yourself, and the flame will not set you on fire.
-Is promised to the smallest assembly of believers Mt 18:20 for where two or three are assembled in my name, I am in their midst.
Until the end of Mt 28:20 and teach them to observe all that I have prescribed to you. And behold, I am with you every day, until the end of the world.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow ” God appears to pronounce the judgment of his people.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
DavidFeze, Servant of the Almighty God.