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PSALM

CHAPTER 14

1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

This song first addresses the "fool," who has said that there is no God. The word in the Hebrew is "nabal," which means both stupid and vile.

A person who looks at the earth and the universe around them cannot help but know that there is a Creator. The design of the universe demands an intelligent Creator. Only a person who is totally without understanding, or a very vile person indeed would say that there is no God.

While this is obviously true, Jesus warned against using the term "fool" to describe anyone (Matthew 5:22). Whether a person is absolutely ignorant, or a person is absolutely vile is for God Alone to judge.

Next the song addresses the depraved condition of all men. From God's point of view in holy glory, there are NONE who are righteous. "ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)."

Since all men are sinners all men need salvation! There are millions around us today who live without thought of God. They just "get by" from day to day. They never give a thought to the end of physical life and what there might be or not be beyond the grave.

4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. 5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. 6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.

Most people who live without knowledge of God provoke and persecute those who believe in God. The Psalmist says they "eat up" God's people just as though they were eating bread. And they "shame" the advice of believers by poking fun at morality.

Yet, even though they persecute believers, they know in their heart that it is WRONG (verse 5).

7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

The Psalmist looked forward to the day when Messiah ("the salvation of Israel") would come. Then, those who believe in God will be delivered once and for all from the "captivity" of sin.

Christians today look forward to the coming again of Christ. For when He enters this world again, the believers will be eternally delivered from the wrongs of sin!

CHAPTER 15

1 A Psalm of David LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

As if in answer to the actions of the wicked, David poses a question as to "who" will live with God. The question is a prelude to the description which follows.

The person who lives with God for eternity will certainly not be that person who says there is no God. And certainly the ones who live with God for eternity will not be those who persecute the righteous.

What describes the kind of people who will be with God for eternity?

2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

It will be the person who has good character and integrity who lives with God eternally.

But Psalm 14:1-3 tells us there is NO person like that! Obviously then, the person who lives with God for eternity, will live FOR God on the earth.

This person will exhibit characteristics of godliness. The manner in which a person exhibits these characteristics is by willingly walking with God's instructions daily. In other words, this person will be surrendered to God, and be obedient to His guidance from the Word.

That doesn't mean that a person must be perfect to inherit the kingdom of God. It means he must believe God and follow God's commands.

CHAPTER 16

1 Mich'-tam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. 2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; 3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

As if in response to the previous description, David realizes that he doesn't "measure up" to those standards. No one does!

Therefore, he cries out to God, "PRESERVE ME, O GOD!" It is in God alone that he places his trust. The only avenue of salvation for a sinner is to plead "guilty as charged," and then beg for mercy from God! That's called repentance.

When a person truly repents from sinfulness, he realizes that he has no "goodness" in him except that which is generated by God's Holy Spirit (verse 2).

The person also realizes that his joy is to be with God every day; and to be with God's PEOPLE every day.

4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. 5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. 7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

There were many false gods and people who proposed them in David's day, just as there are in our day. David said he would not partake of any false worship. He would worship the ONLY true and living God.

God has indeed been good to David (verse 6), and he determines to PRAISE him (verse 7).

To be forgiven for sins, and to be granted eternal salvation by the mercy of God is enough to warrant eternal praise!

8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

David determined to keep God in his thoughts and heart at ALL times (verse 8). This is what every Christian should do.

The result of such a determination is JOY (verse 9). PLUS, there is the realization of life with God after physical death.

The body of a person is the "tent" which houses the spirit of the person. The body shall indeed die; but the spirit shall exist forever. And one day, God shall rejoin the spirit and the body and make the body immortal. Then that person will be sent to his ETERNAL place. But, unless the Lord returns BEFORE we die, we shall surely die and our flesh shall experience "corruption."

However, for our benefit, there is ONE, the HOLY ONE of God, Who did NOT experience flesh corruption. Though He truly died, and though He was placed in a grave, three days later JESUS AROSE!!

Because Jesus was God in the flesh, and because He arose, you and I have the PROOF that God can indeed cause us to arise from the dead and our bodies be changed to an immortal state!

Furthermore, God SHOWS us the "path of life." Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

JESUS is the "path of life." It is by repentance from sin, and surrender to Him, then following in His footsteps that we are saved.

And THAT is the ONLY way!

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