Psalm 53 (Listen)
53:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;
there is none who does good.
2 God looks down from heaven
on the children of man
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.
3 They have all fallen away;
together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.
4 Have those who work evil no knowledge,
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and do not call upon God?
5 There they are, in great terror,
where there is no terror!
For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you;
you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
Devotional:
God looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God. All have turned away, all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one (Psalm 53:2-3 CSB).
According to this passage, we are all wretched, corrupt sinners who refuse to seek after God. All of us. This might sound pretty depressing, but it’s even more disheartening for God. After all, He is looking for someone to follow Him and can’t find anyone. Thankfully, our God is merciful and abounding in love! Our failures don’t prevent God from victory — they magnify His glory. Take heart in knowing that salvation has come! The fact that we have all fallen short levels the playing field to make everyone eligible to receive forgiveness and salvation. Don’t be afraid to admit your shortcomings; God is in the business of loving the unlovable. No one stands right before God — praise Him that He sent a Savior for us all!
Pray it: Father, thank you for loving me in spite of my failures and turning away from you and for sending Jesus to deliver me from my sin. Help me to seek you more and more each day. Amen.
Share it: Share a verse or thought from this passage with someone today.