Psa 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

David looked at those who denied the existence of God and came to the conclusion that they are fools. They are not only intellectual fools but also moral fools. Intellectual fools are the brilliant scientists, doctors, professors, lawyers, engineers, bankers, undergraduates and etc., who in spite of their intelligence, have not come to the conclusion that there is a God. There is no excuse for them; they will face the judgment of God: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). 

Moral fools are those who deny God. They refuse to accept the conclusion that there is a God. Therefore, they are liars. They lie to their own conscience and lie to others about the existence of God. The reason: they don’t want God in their lives: “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21). 

One writer commented that the idea behind this ancient Hebrew word translated fool (Hebrew, nâbâl) is more moral than intellectual. David did not have in mind those not smart enough to figure God out; he had in mind those who simply reject God. That means, the person is saying: “Sorry, no God for me; I don’t want any God in my life.” 

Why did they reject God and deny His existence? The answer is SIN. The apostle John explains it this way: “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:20). 

This is true of all wicked men: those who do evil hate the light. No God means no law, no order, no restraint to lust, and no limit to passion. No God means free to do any sin they like. Therefore, they hate Christ and the gospel, for they make manifest their evil deeds, convict them of their sins, rebuke them for their unrighteousness, and finally, condemn them to eternal destruction. 

Atheism is the religion of the world today. Is America a Christian country? They are the first to endorse same sex marriages and the rest of the world follows. Do the Americans believe in God? Well, just look at the amount of immoralities that come out from America. They are not the things God fearing people will do. Hence, David is right: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good” (Psalm 53:1). 

The result of atheism is moral corruption. We live in a time when the peoples of the world have almost completely turned against God. When I read Romans 1:18-32, it is as if I am reading the events in today’s newspaper. 

“The atheist is, morally as well as mentally, a fool, a fool in the heart as well as in the head; a fool in morals as well as in philosophy. With the denial of God as a starting point, we may well conclude that the fool's progress is a rapid, riotous, raving, ruinous one. He who begins at impiety is ready for anything.” (The Treasury of David, Psalm 53:1, e-sword). 

“A fool in morals as well as in philosophy”; only from the atheists will come the outrageous philosophy of same sex marriages. Atheism is a religion of moral corruption. 

Let us be firm believers of God and not be influence by the evils of this world that originate only from those who do not believe in God. Let us have faith in God.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 54:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

This is a Psalm written by David during the time Saul was seeking to kill him. The event that prompted the writing of this psalm is recorded in I Samuel 23:15-24 and I Samuel 26:1. David had gone to hide in an area occupied by the Ziphims, whom he thought were his friends. But they betrayed him. They told Saul David was hiding among them. David was saved by God's intervention causing a deep sleep to fall over Saul's entire army.

In his distress, David relied on both the name and the strength of God. He called out to God to save him: “Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength” (54:1). 

Save me, O God, by thy name - Name speaks of the nature and character of God; strength of His great power. The word for “God” here is the Hebrew “Elohim”. Elohim denotes “God” or “god.” It is one of the most common names for God in the Old Testament, starting in the very first verse: “In the beginning [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The basic meaning behind the name Elohim is one of strength and power. 

David was now in such imminent danger of being taken and killed. If God therefore had not interfered, he would have been destroyed. David appealed to the great Elohim for help. 

In the Old Testament times, a name was not only identification, but an identity as well. Many times a special meaning was attached to the name. Abraham means “father of a multitude” (Genesis 17:5). Samuel means “Asked of God” (1 Samuel 1:20). Isaac means “laughter” (Genesis 17:19). 

There is also one called Nabal, who insulted David and would not provide food for David’s hungry men. His name, as his beautiful wife, Abigail, explained to David means "fool”: “For as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him" (1 Samuel 25:25). Nabal lived up to his name as a fool. 

Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself to us through His many names. Through those names, we get a better understanding who God really is. The meanings behind God's names reveal the central personality and nature of the One who bears them. 

Now the question: Who is God to you? Is He your Most High God, the Almighty God, All sufficient One, Lord and Master, the Everlasting God, and the Lord Who Will Provide? Is He your Father who is in heaven? (Matthew 6:9). 

When we pray, we utter these words: “Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). Do you know what you are saying when you hallowed the name of God? 

When we say “Hallowed be thy name”, we are acknowledging the holiness of God. When we pray this line we are recognising the nature of God as holy and distinct from us. We pray that God’s name would be revered and honoured as holy everywhere, especially by the person who is saying the prayer. This will lead us to examine our behaviour when we talk to God. Hence, “Hallowed be thy name” is not a request that God be made holy, but that we will be able to reflect His holiness in the way we pray and the way we live. It leads us to honour and revere His holy name. 

What is God’s name to you? It will be shown in the way you live, worship, and pray. May we always reverend the name of God. “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name” (Psalm 111:9).

Jimmy Lau

Psa 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 55 highlights the betrayal by a most trusted and intimate friend as the cause of pain. The Psalmist says: “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance” (55:12-13). 

If the reproach had been from his enemy, he would bear with it as such is expected from an enemy. But that which overwhelmed him, that broke his heart, was the fact that the reproach came from one who had been his intimate friend. David says the betrayer was “a man mine equal”. David was alluding to Ahithophel, his most trusted advisor, who had allied himself with Absalom to destroy him (2 Samuel 15:31). 

David was heartbroken; he was on the run because of his son Absalom. And his most trusted friend had turn against him and went to the enemy’s side. Distress and heartbroken, he went to the Lord (55:16). He called on the Lord to “divide their tongues” (55:9), that is, to confound their speech as at Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). And sure enough, God overturned the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:5-14). 

David had faith that God would deliver him; and He did. David's faith in God never waver in spite on his seemingly hopeless circumstances: “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (55:22). 

Cast thy burden upon the LORD - Whatever cares, afflictions, trials, etc., there may be with which we are oppressed, lay them upon Him - cast it upon God by faith and prayer. Paul exhorts: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).          

And he shall sustain thee – Observe how the Lord deals with our burdens. He does not say, "I will take away thy burden," but "I will sustain thee." The word “sustain” literally means “to keep in, to measure” (Strong’s Definition). Here it means that God would give such a “measure” of strength and grace or such as would be sufficient to bear us up under it. He said to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

Barnes wrote: “It furnishes, therefore, a very instructive lesson in regard to prayer, and shows us that we are not to expect as a matter of course that all our prayers will be literally answered, and that we should not be disappointed or disheartened if they are not. It is a matter of fact that not all the prayers even of the pious, and of those who pray having faith in God as a hearer of prayer, are literally answered.” (Barnes’ Notes, e-sword). 

He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved - The meaning here cannot be that the righteous shall never be “moved” in the sense that their circumstances will not be changed; or that they will never be disappointed; but that whatever trials may come upon them, they will be “ultimately” safe. Remember the story of Joseph and of Daniel. God did not stop the wicked plans of their enemies, but He caused all their devices to work for good to those who kept their faith and loyalty amid trial and conflict. 

Friends may forsake, but God is faithful. God will never turn against His faithful people. Can't take it anymore? Then take it to the Lord! “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God will sustain you.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.