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 sets forth the condition of man apart from God, exposing both his thoughts and his works. It opens with the root of all corruption, which is not first outward conduct, but what a man says in his heart (v.1). The psalm then shows that God looks down from heaven to examine mankind, and finds none that understand or seek Him (v.2). The conclusion is universal: “Every one of them is gone back… there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (v.3). This verse therefore declares the true state of man by nature.
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” The fool in Scripture is not just one lacking understanding, but one who rejects God. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). This denial is inward, “in his heart,” whether or not it is spoken openly. It is a settled disposition that leaves God out. Men may profess religion outwardly, yet deny God in their hearts and works practically: “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him” (Titus 1:16). To say there is no God is to remove His authority, His judgment, and His claims upon man.
“Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity.” From this root flows corruption. When God is denied, sin is embraced. “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). Corruption speaks of ruin and decay, and abominable iniquity refers to deeds hateful in God’s sight. As it is written, “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth” (Genesis 6:12). When men depart from God, their works follow the same path. This is the nature of every man who is born upon earth, because of Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12).
“There is none that doeth good.” This is God’s judgment upon mankind. It is not said that few do good, but none. The psalm repeats this for emphasis (v.3), showing the universality of sin. The New Testament confirms this same truth, quoting these words: “There is none righteous, no, not one… there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-12). This removes all boasting, for no man can claim goodness before God on his own. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The psalm later speaks of God’s deliverance for His people: “Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!” (v.6). What man cannot do, God provides. The New Testament shows that this salvation has come in Jesus Christ, who came to save sinners: “This is a faithful saying… that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). Where man is corrupt and without goodness, Christ brings righteousness and redemption to those whom His Father has given Him.
This verse, therefore, exposes the root and extent of man’s sin: a heart that rejects God, a life marked by corruption, and a condition in which none do good. Man’s problem is not ignorance, but rebellion. It calls every man to abandon confidence in himself and to look to the salvation that God provides. As it is written, “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD” (Psalm 3:8).
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 sets forth the condition of man apart from God, exposing both his thoughts and his works. It opens with the root of all corruption, which is not first outward conduct, but what a man says in his heart (v.1). The psalm then shows that God looks down from heaven to examine mankind, and finds none that understand or seek Him (v.2). The conclusion is universal: “Every one of them is gone back… there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (v.3). This verse therefore declares the true state of man by nature.
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” The fool in Scripture is not just one lacking understanding, but one who rejects God. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). This denial is inward, “in his heart,” whether or not it is spoken openly. It is a settled disposition that leaves God out. Men may profess religion outwardly, yet deny God in their hearts and works practically: “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him” (Titus 1:16). To say there is no God is to remove His authority, His judgment, and His claims upon man.
“Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity.” From this root flows corruption. When God is denied, sin is embraced. “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). Corruption speaks of ruin and decay, and abominable iniquity refers to deeds hateful in God’s sight. As it is written, “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth” (Genesis 6:12). When men depart from God, their works follow the same path. This is the nature of every man who is born upon earth, because of Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12).
“There is none that doeth good.” This is God’s judgment upon mankind. It is not said that few do good, but none. The psalm repeats this for emphasis (v.3), showing the universality of sin. The New Testament confirms this same truth, quoting these words: “There is none righteous, no, not one… there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-12). This removes all boasting, for no man can claim goodness before God on his own. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The psalm later speaks of God’s deliverance for His people: “Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!” (v.6). What man cannot do, God provides. The New Testament shows that this salvation has come in Jesus Christ, who came to save sinners: “This is a faithful saying… that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). Where man is corrupt and without goodness, Christ brings righteousness and redemption to those whom His Father has given Him.
This verse, therefore, exposes the root and extent of man’s sin: a heart that rejects God, a life marked by corruption, and a condition in which none do good. Man’s problem is not ignorance, but rebellion. It calls every man to abandon confidence in himself and to look to the salvation that God provides. As it is written, “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD” (Psalm 3:8).