Consider Psalm 14:1 . . .
Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God” (NLT).
Now let’s read Psalm 53:1 . . .
Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God” (NLT).
HHHHMMMHHM . . . did I just make a mistake with the “copy and paste” feature in Microsoft Word®?
No, Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 are the same . . . with a few changes. God wants us to realize that questioning His existence is nonsense, so He included two duplicate Psalms in the book of Psalms describing the foolishness of disbelief.
Hopefully, we get the message!
The Hebrew word for “fool” means “stubborn animal.” There are two types of fools or stubborn animals: the first knows the master and refuses to obey, and the second totally ignores the master.
Both types are “practical atheists,” believing but not obeying, agreeing with Scripture when it supports their thinking, and attending churches that teach and practice the tenets of humanistic philosophy.
The Apostle Paul writes about practical atheists as “They act religious but reject the power that could make them godly . . . forever following new teaching but never able to understand the truth . . . they have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith” (2 Timothy 3:5, 7-8).
Are we stubborn animals? Do we know any stubborn animals?
I get tired of hearing the “practical atheist” claim that the Bible isn’t inspired and that lackey teachers today, using modern methods of scientific disbelief, can best interpret the Word of God.
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! (Psalm 14:1b)
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! (Psalm 51:1b)
What are the “stubborn animal” doctrines taught today? Consider “choice” allowing the killing of innocents and that “feeling safe” in elementary school means affirming dysphoria in children.
The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! (Psalm 14:2-3)
God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! (Psalm 53:2-3)
Foolish beliefs bring deserved judgment. But do stubborn animals learn anything?
Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord (Psalm 14:4).
Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord (Psalm 53:4).
It’s the same in our culture today with debt, confusion, violence, and injustice. Our foolish ways resist God’s truth and offer solutions with increasing depravity.
The last verse in Psalm 14 and the last verse of Psalm 53 are exactly the same . . .
Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel? When the Lord restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice (last verse!).
Stay faithful, and don’t listen to stubborn animals, as the Lord will bring deliverance!