FRIDAY, AUGUST 24
Psalm 53:1-6
2 Kings 7:6-7

“… the righteous are
bold as a lion.”

DAVID VERSUS ATHEISM

This Psalm is a duplicate of Psalm 14 with the substituting of the Hebrew name JEHOVAH by the universal GOD, so that the message here is rather directed to atheists outside Israel. Whether the situation be atheism in a polytheistic culture as in ancient days or atheism in a hedonistic culture in our days, the heart-condition of such a person is the same.

As you read over Psalm 14, you would have noticed that atheism is denounced as unadulterated foolishness. And what are the consequences of the thinking and acts of an atheist when he comes to power? We see here that those who have no fear of God have no regard for their fellowmen.

Apart from the revision in the name of God in Psalm 53, we notice that the title is enlarged with “upon Mahalath,” meaning suffering, indicating that this Psalm is to be used in a time of affliction when the godless mock. 

Psalm 53:5 is where we find that the greatest difference occurs between Psalm 14:5-6 and Psalm 53:5, though the basic thought is the same. God overwhelms the godless with fear where there is nothing to fear. God uses psychological warfare many times to defeat Israel’s enemies. Read 2 Kings 7:6-7.

Conversely, where the Lord comes to save His people, “Their strength is to sit still” (Isa 30:7). “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isa 26:3). By way of contrast, Solomon says, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov 28:1).

Finally, God turns the ground that the godless have taken in battle into their cemetery. For example, God sent an angel against the invading Assyrians and in one night slew 185,000 of the enemy. “… behold, they were all dead corpses” (Isa 37:36).

THOUGHT: God can thwart the plans of my enemies.
PRAYER: Lord, may I never fear what man can do to me.