Fools Say .... There Is No God
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is no one who does good ...
There they shall be in great terror,
for God is with the company of the righteous.
-- Psalm 14:1, 5
Theme: Denunciation of godlessness
Outline
1-3 -- Corruption of humankind comes from failure to seek God.
4-6 -- Illustrated by their oppression of God's people.
7 -- A prayer for the day when he brings gladness with deliverance for Israel.
Notes
• Liturgy -- Prophetic
• This psalm recurs in Book Two as Psalm 53, with the name Elohim substituted for Yahweh (LORD), and some minor variations. (This is one of a number of indications that the book of Psalms as we have it is a collection from several sources.)
• Verses 1-3 are quoted by Saint Paul (Romans 3:10-12) as one proof among others of the universal corruption of humankind. (See Romans 1:18-21 for the interpretation of vv. 1-3.)
For Reflection
• Atheism is of various kinds. In this psalm it stands for a class of people who are morally perverse and who feel they can succeed as such without interference from God (who they believe has little or no interest or control in human affairs). Hence, they feel free to be cruel when it suits them.
Prayer
Without you, Lord God, all kinds of evil thrive and grow. Let your word shine in our hearts, that we may seek your will and purpose above all and proclaim to the world your grace and power in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is no one who does good ...
There they shall be in great terror,
for God is with the company of the righteous.
-- Psalm 14:1, 5
Theme: Denunciation of godlessness
Outline
1-3 -- Corruption of humankind comes from failure to seek God.
4-6 -- Illustrated by their oppression of God's people.
7 -- A prayer for the day when he brings gladness with deliverance for Israel.
Notes
• Liturgy -- Prophetic
• This psalm recurs in Book Two as Psalm 53, with the name Elohim substituted for Yahweh (LORD), and some minor variations. (This is one of a number of indications that the book of Psalms as we have it is a collection from several sources.)
• Verses 1-3 are quoted by Saint Paul (Romans 3:10-12) as one proof among others of the universal corruption of humankind. (See Romans 1:18-21 for the interpretation of vv. 1-3.)
For Reflection
• Atheism is of various kinds. In this psalm it stands for a class of people who are morally perverse and who feel they can succeed as such without interference from God (who they believe has little or no interest or control in human affairs). Hence, they feel free to be cruel when it suits them.
Prayer
Without you, Lord God, all kinds of evil thrive and grow. Let your word shine in our hearts, that we may seek your will and purpose above all and proclaim to the world your grace and power in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.