Nobody likes to be called a fool. Perhaps an overbearing parent called you a fool because of a poor test score at school. Maybe a neighborhood bully called you that, or an unkind boss. Perhaps even an unloving spouse has called you a fool on a number of occasions. The dictionary defines a fool as a person who is lacking in judgment or prudence. It also gives another definition as a harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding. God has His definition of a fool, as we shall see when we look into today’s psalm.
Psalm 53 is one of the several psalms that King David wrote. It is also almost identical to Psalm 14. Paul also repeats parts of verse 1 and verse 3 in his letter to the Romans (Romans 3:10-12). Every word in the Bible, God’s Word, is important. However, when God repeats Himself, when He says something twice or more often, we do well to pay attention!
God’s definition of a fool is that of a person who does not believe in Him. He calls people who say there is no God the real fools (vs. 1). In His eyes, being a fool has nothing to do with someone’s intellectual ability. He doesn’t call us fools because we do poorly on an exam, or we mess up with that home repair we tried to tackle. He doesn’t even call us a fool for getting that speeding ticket. God’s Word calls fools those who deny Him, the atheists and agnostics. These fools don’t necessarily lack intellect, as many atheists and agnostics are highly educated. Fools are people who reject God, the only One who can save them.
As David continues in this psalm we read that he is specifically referring to Yahweh, not just any gods. In the days of the Bible, and up until just a couple hundred years ago, most people did believe in some type of divine being. Today we see plenty of people who deny the existence of Yahweh or any type of divine being, and millions more who go after all sorts of pagan and false gods. The Bible calls those who specifically deny Yahweh, and His only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ, as the real fools.
God proceeds to tell us that all mankind is under condemnation as sinners. This indictment is universally applicable (vs. 1-3). There is none who does good. God continually observes all mankind, and sees that everyone has turned away from Him and His Word. The Apostle Paul repeats this indictment, that everyone, all mankind are sinners in Romans 3:9-20. Even the very best people we can think of throughout history, are actually sinners in God’s sight. We are unclean, and all of the so-called good works we have done are nothing but like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
There are many who believe that science has now replaced man’s need for any type of deity, and thus, in their pseudo-intellectual mind they say we have no need for Him. There are others who may say there is no God in order to cover their sin. In their mind if there is no God, there will be no judgment, and this way they have the excuse to continue in their sin. Though we all are sinners, including believers, with the denial of God’s existence often comes even more moral decay. We see that so clearly today, as the morality of society steadily grows worse and worse.
No one but God is perfect. All of us stand guilty before Him (Romans 3:23). No matter how well we perform, none of us can boast when compared to God’s standard. Because we all fall short, we must turn to Jesus to save us. He, alone, is sinless, and His death on the cross obtained our salvation, if we will only call upon Him (Romans 10:9-10).
God is observing those who are seeking Him, so that He can bless us with His presence (II Chronicles 16:9). He makes a clear distinction between those who worship Him, and those who refuse. If we want to be restored, to be joyful and truly wise, we must seek the Lord in every situation (vs. 6). When we do, we will realize that Jesus is the only One who can save us.
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