Psalm 53:1-6 & Psalm 54:1-7
Q.1. Psalm 53:1-6: What makes a man a fool? What does such godlessness produce? How do the ungodly face life’s trials? Is this state widely seen? What was the Psalmist’s hope? – (Ps.53:1-6 c.f. Rom.3:10-12)
Why does God call a person ‘a fool’, when he says, ‘there is no God’? It is not because a person who acknowledges God is any less guilty of being corrupt. It is not that the righteous are righteous in themselves, or that they continually do good. What makes the difference? It is that some people, recognizing their imperfections, seek for a way of escape … and God helps them find Him. David identified foolishness as a matter of the heart. It is a way of living that transcends reason. It leads to behaviour that is markedly different from that of those who believe that they must answer to God for their thoughts, words, and deeds. Note the progression that David observed – 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 (Ps.53:1 c.f. Ps.53:3). God is not indifferent to man’s conclusions. He – has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there is anyone who understands, who seeks after God (Ps.53:2). The writer of Hebrews summed it up this way when he declared that – without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him (Heb.11:6). In spite of all the boldness of the godless, David observed – 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 (Ps.53:5). We learn from Paul’s explanation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that all of humanity is under the same judgment. This demands that we trust in the Saviour (Rom.3:10-12). The Psalmist had his heart set on God. He longed – that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion when God restores His captive people. Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad (Ps.53:6).
Q.2. Psalm 54:1-7: What circumstances led David to write this song? What was David’s view of God? How did God save David? What did this trial do for David’s faith? – (Ps.54:1-7 c.f. 1 Sam.23:19-29)
This Psalm has this superscription: “For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A song of David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “Is not David hiding himself among us?” This introduction is not inspired as such, but it told the circumstances that led David to write this Psalm. David had been hiding in the rugged mountain range south-east of Hebron. The Ziphites tried to ingratiate themselves to Saul, by leading him to David’s hideout. Because David had a large number of people with him, the Ziphites probably wanted David out of their territory. However, the action of the Ziphites gave God an opportunity to deliver David, when – a messenger came to Saul saying, ‘Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land. Saul returned from pursuing David … therefore they called that place – the Rock of Escape’ (1 Sam.23:27-28c.f. 1 Sam.22:1-2). Later, the Ziphites again collaborated with Saul to destroy David. This gave David an opportunity to spare Saul, while he was sleeping amongst his three thousand strong army. David was able to enter the camp of Saul because – a sound sleep from the Lord had fallen on them (1 Sam.26:12 c.f. 1 Sam.26:1-25). God so often finds miraculous ways to save His people from hopeless circumstances. David alluded to these deliverances as he recorded – 6 … I will give thanks to Your name, O Lord, for it is good. 7 For He has delivered me from all trouble, and my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies (Ps.54:6-7). Before this, David had cried out to the Lord – Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your power (Ps.54:1). He gave the reason for his distress as – strangers have risen against me and violent men have sought my life; They have not set God before them (Ps.54:3). David took heart in knowing that – 4 Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the Sustainer of my soul. 5 He will recompense the evil of my foes; Destroy them in Your faithfulness (Ps.54:4-5). David refrained from taking things into his own hands, but trusted God for a just outcome. David knew that God was all powerful, and that he could count on God to be his helper and provider, Who would deliver him from all trouble. This is even more real for us, since the Holy Spirit, Who is ‘the One called along-side to help’ actually indwells us and intercedes for us in every circumstance.