Study Guide – Psalm 53

Psalm53
1 The fool says in his heart,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
    there is no one who does good.


Tricky question to consider: What reasons might a fool have for saying, "There is no God"?

 

In the midst of a difficult time, how do you think David keeps from becomming a "fool" himself?


2 God looks down from heaven
    on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
    any who seek God.
3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
    there is no one who does good,
    not even one.


This is another dark psalm from David. These types of psalms are called a "lament", which means a deep expression of mourning or grief. What is David mourning in this psalm?


Considering the fact that Scripture includes many laments (including a whole book called Lamentations), what can you learn about the nature of the Bible?


To what degree can you resonate with verses 2-3?


4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?

They devour my people as though eating bread;
    they never call on God.
5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
    where there was nothing to dread.
God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
    you put them to shame, for God despised them.


What is the outcome of pursing corruption in a person's soul?


Who put the evildoers to shame in verse 5? What does this tell you about the way God often works in our world?


6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When God restores his people,
    let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! NIV


David ends this psalm with a passionate plea. Using verse 6 as an example, personalize this prayer in your own words for your own context today.


Related articles

Study Guide – Psalm 1
Study Guide – Psalm 3
Study Guide – Psalm 13
Study Guide – Psalm 24
Study Guide – Psalm 43
Study Guide – Psalm 70

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