Psalms 53:1 - Meaning and Application

This psalm has already been opened before, so here we will only notice, in brief, several things about sin, so that our sorrow for it and hatred of it may grow.

1. The fact of sin. Is the charge true? Yes. God himself is the witness, and his witness cannot be challenged. From the place of his holiness, he looks on the children of men and sees how little good is among them (Psalm 53:2). All the sin in their hearts and lives stands open before him.

2. The fault of sin. Is there any harm in it? Yes. It is iniquity, that is, a wrong and crooked thing (Psalm 53:1, Psalm 53:4). It is something in which there is no good (Psalm 53:1, Psalm 53:3). It is evil, the worst kind of evil. It is what makes this world such an evil place. Sin is turning away from God (Psalm 53:3).

3. The source of sin. How is it that people become so bad? It is because there is no fear of God before their eyes. In their hearts they say, “There is no God” to call us to account, no one we need to respect. People’s bad actions come from bad beliefs. Even if they say they know God, their deeds deny him, and so do their thoughts.

4. The folly of sin. In God’s judgment, which is always right, the person who keeps such corrupt thoughts is a fool. Atheists, whether in belief or in practice, are the greatest fools in the world. Those who do not seek God do not understand. They are like animals without understanding, because what most sets human beings apart from animals is not only reason, but the ability to know and worship God. Workers of evil, whatever they claim, have no true knowledge. Those who do not know God may truly be said to know nothing (Psalm 53:4).

5. The filthiness of sin. Sinners are corrupt (Psalm 53:1). Their nature is spoiled and ruined, and the nobler the nature, the more vile it is when it is twisted. That is true even of angels. “The best things, when corrupted, become the worst.” Their sin is hateful. It is hateful to the holy God, and it makes them hateful as well, though God otherwise hates nothing he has made. Sin makes people filthy, completely filthy. Willful sinners give offense in the sight of the God of heaven and the holy angels. No matter how proper proud sinners may seem, wickedness is the greatest stain in the world.

6. The fruit of sin. See how far it can bring people into cruelty at last. When hearts are hardened by sin’s deceit, people become harsh toward their brothers and sisters, those who are of the same family stock. Because others will not run with them into the same excess of sin, they eat them up as if they were eating bread. It is as though they have become not only beasts, but beasts of prey. At the same time, they show contempt for God. They do not call on him, and they think it beneath them to depend on him.

7. The fear and shame that come with sin (Psalm 53:5). Some are filled with great fear because they have made God their enemy. Their guilty consciences frighten them and fill them with horror, even when there seems to be no outside danger. The wicked flee when no one is chasing them. The reason for this fear is that God has already scattered the bones of those who camped against his people. He has not only broken their power and scattered their forces, but has slain them and reduced their bodies to dry bones, like bones scattered at the mouth of a grave (Psalm 141:7). That will be the fate of those who attack the camp of the saints and the beloved city (Revelation 20:9). The thought of this cannot help but strike fear into those who consume God’s people. This gives the daughter of Zion, that is, Jerusalem and God’s people, the boldness to shame them and expose them, because God has despised them. We may laugh at those at whom God laughs. We need not fear enemies whom God regards with contempt. If he despises them, so may we.

8. The faith, hope, and power of the saints concerning the cure for this great evil (Psalm 53:6). A Savior will come, a great salvation, a salvation from sin. Oh that it may come quickly, for it will bring glorious and joyful times. Even in Old Testament days, there were people who looked for this redemption, hoped for it, prayed for it, and waited for it. In due time, God will save his church from the sinful hatred of its enemies, which will bring joy to Jacob and Israel, who have long been in sorrow. Such rescues happened often, and all of them pointed ahead to the lasting triumphs of the glorious church.

He will also save all believers from their own sins, so that they will not be dragged captive by them. That will be an endless joy to them. The Redeemer received his name from this work, Jesus, because “he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).