299 – Psalm 14 – Fool’s End

I am humored by the skeptic that believes the Bible to be a fraud perpetrated upon mankind. It is often seen as a book of lies gobbled up by weak-minded fools who forsake all reason and cling to unfounded blind faith in a God who clearly does not exist. Only the unscientific mind could believe anything the Bible has to say. In the raging battle of the Bible versus Science, it is hardly a contest! Science wins by a landslide! How ignorant the ancient and modern-day fools have become. To dismiss the Holy book while hardly cracking it open!

If the skeptic would spend a few minutes considering this seven-verse Psalm with the intellectual mind he feigns having, he may reach a different conclusion. I found the following two paragraphs insightful.

The Bible is a big book, but not many things in the Bible are said, word for word, more than once. If the words are repeated, it is for emphasis. They are important. How then if they are repeated more than once? What if they are found three times? This is the case with Psalm 14. Psalm 14 is repeated almost entirely in the Book of Psalms itself. Psalm 53 is a nearly exact duplication; only verses 5 and 6 are changed. Then the most important part of Psalm 14 is repeated in Romans 3:10–12. In fact, the great first chapter of Romans is actually an explanation of these words.

Anything God says once demands attention.

Anything he says twice demands our most intent attention.

How then if he says something three times, as he does in this case? This demands our keenest concentration, contemplation, assimilation, and even memorization. These are words which, to use the often-quoted phrase of the collection from the Book of Common Prayer, we are to “read, mark, learn and inwardly digest.”

Boice, James Montgomery. Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005. Print.

Braving the condescension of the skeptic (Biblical term: fool) let’s look at the last three verses of this sobering yet delightful little Psalm. As you read remember the first four verses talked about the fool as your eyes fall upon verse 6 where Yahweh speaks directly to the fool.

Psalm 14:5-7 (NKJV)

           5       There they are in great fear,

    For God is with the generation of the righteous.

           6       You shame the counsel of the poor,

    But [Yahweh] is his refuge.

           7       Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!

    When [Yahweh] brings back the captivity of His people,

    Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Recall that last time we talked about the “Fear of Yahweh” and how the fool possesses no such form of “wisdom”. Now, look at how verse five begins. The fool does not fear Yahweh, but according to verse five they will when they see that God is “with the generation of the righteous”! It seems to me when considering Yahweh, fear is always involved. On this side of eternity, the wise one (the believer), fears Yahweh which according to the first chapter of Proverbs is the very beginning or foundation of wisdom. When the fool sees Yahweh among the generation of the righteous or stands before Him in judgment on the afterlife side of eternity He will be in fear. Why? Because he knows the wrath of God is neigh upon him!

Verse six contrasts the fool with Yahweh. The fool antagonizes the poor with shame, but Yahweh protects the poor not by providing shelter, but by being shelter. Why has the fool denied the existence of God? What does he hope to gain? Has anyone beaten death, even one person, ever? I’ll answer that last question in a moment. Does the fool gain independence from accountability to a Holy God? Can he now do whatever he wishes without consequence? How could the redemption of God, right relationship with a loving God, a peace that passes all understanding, and the guarantee of everlasting life where no more sorrow exists be too restrictive to the fool?

Let me restate the question I said I’d come back to, “Has anyone beaten death, even one person, ever?” The believer knows the answer to that question. It prophesied in verse seven hundreds of years before it came to pass.

Psalm 14:7 (NKJV)

           7       Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!

    When [Yahweh] brings back the captivity of His people,

    Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

The “salvation of Israel” did come out of Zion in the person of Jesus [the] Christ!

Romans 6:3-4 (NKJV)

           3       Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 

           4       Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Christ died for our sins, taking our punishment upon Himself in our place, then rose from the dead victoriously. Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave! We are raised with Him as is shown by the believer’s baptism. If you don’t know Christ, don’t be a fool. Put your faith in Him today for your eternal salvation.

If you do know Christ, get to know Him better by reading and studying His word. Commune with Him over His word in prayer. Then, tell others about Him. Serve Him because He is worthy!

Is the road ahead closed for you? It doesn’t have to be the end. Remember:

John 14:6 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.