Psalm 14- None Righteous

 Psalm 14- None Righteous

Psalm 14 (NET)

For the music director; by David.

1 Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.”

They sin and commit evil deeds;

none of them does what is right.

2 The LORD looks down from heaven at the human race,

to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God.

3 Everyone rejects God;

they are all morally corrupt.

None of them does what is right,

not even one!

4 All those who behave wickedly do not understand -

those who devour my people as if they were eating bread,

and do not call out to the LORD.

5 They are absolutely terrified,

for God defends the godly.

6 You want to humiliate the oppressed,

even though the LORD is their shelter.

7 I wish the deliverance of Israel would come from Zion!

When the LORD restores the well-being of his people,

may Jacob rejoice,

may Israel be happy!

Psalms 14:2-3 (NKJV)

The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men,

To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

3 They have all turned aside,

They have together become corrupt;

There is none who does good,

No, not one.

Psalms 14:7

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

When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people,

Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Todays discussion is another look at the Old Testament roots of New Testament theology. One passage in this psalm may look a little familiar. Verse 3 is quoted in Romans 3:

Romans 3:9-12 (NASB)

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;

10 as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;

11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,

THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;

12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;

THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,

THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”

Thus we see some roots of the doctrine of original sin, which John Calvin so memorably entitled “Total Depravity”. The writer of the Psalms was making an observation based on his experience with the people around him. He was looking for righteous people, but he seemed to be surrounded by people who didn’t believe in God and were always doing wrong. In typical Old Testament fashion, he then calls for God to terrify his enemies. But in the end, in verse 7, he looks forward to the salvation that would come to Israel many years later.  He was looking for the deliverer, but we have found him.

In the letter to the Romans, Paul explains how it is still true that “there is none righteous, not even one.” But now we have a solution. 

Romans 3:21-2522 

Justification by Faith

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.

We now know that the deliverer has come out of Zion, namely Jesus, and that we can be saved from our wicked condition through faith in Him. Justification by faith is a great gift that Jesus purchased for us on the cross. So even though we all fall short of the glory of God, we can be justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus. We can now sing the psalm with joy knowing that salvation has come and we can rejoice and be glad in Him!