Psalm 53: Psalm 14

Do you ever get a sense of deja vu?  That would be very understandable when you read this psalm!

Why?  Psalm 53 is nearly a carbon copy of Psalm 14.  Nearly.

Both psalms speak of the futility of human beings who disregard God, who doubt Him in their hearts.  Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 alike make the claim that no one is truly righteous and that all are fallen sinners.  Both express the hope that deliverance and salvation will come out of Zion to put the world right.

But there are a few minor differences.  The two psalms use different words for God (Psalm 14 refers to "Yahweh" while Psalm 53 employs "Elohim").  And although both psalms begin and end very nearly the same, there is a significant difference in the middle.

Psalm 14:5-6 reads, "They are all in great fear, for God is with the generation of the righteous.  You shame the counsel of the poor, but the Lord is his refuge."  Psalm 53:3, however, says, "There they are in great fear, where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you; you have put them to shame, because God has despised them."  Something distinct seems to be going on with those who are opposing God - a difference in judgment, perhaps.

Most scholars believe that these two psalms vary slightly because they each had a slightly different purpose or audience.  Perhaps Psalm 14 was composed regarding the first temple and Psalm 53 adapted to speak of the second temple.  Just who "the fools" are who say there is no God may be different.  Regardless, both psalms speak a powerful message of believing (and trusting) that God will save and deliver!