In the name of the Father and of + the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let's turn our attention to Psalm 14.
So you think you're a pretty good guy or gal huh? Well, if you want to keep thinking that way you'd better not read this Psalm.
Psalm 14 is a condemnation of the foolishness of the wicked. As Luther says, "human doctrine and a life without faith is nothing but an abomination before God." Turn on your TV. It won't take you 5 minutes to be immersed with foolishness, human doctrine and a life without faith.
Please now, turn your TV off. Take up your sword of the Spirit and read this Psalm. If you have time you may take a look at Romans chapter 3 over the next day or two. Note how Paul uses some verses from this Psalm in his New Testament Epistle.
How does this Psalm preach the Law to us?
How does this Psalm preach us the Gospel?
Everyone taking this Psalm seriously must admit, "there is no good in me." However, those who repent and believe the Gospel can admit with joy, "the Lord is my refuge" for He has become our salvation through the forgiveness of sins.
3 comments:
What a bag of !!!! I am! Even my best works are surrounded by completly selfish motivations, Which at times stops me from doing the works anyway, which I have learned is not the answer either.Then the uncountable deeds done everyday that are not even efforts at good works. I am so blessed by the Grace of my Lord that he has saved me from the punishment I justly deserve
The Gospel is Christ being prophesied/promised to us "Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!"
The law is Jacob rejoicing and Israel being glad in the gospel of the Lord restoring the fortunes of his people.
Timmy, you're not a "bag of exclamation marks" you're actually a forgiven child of the living God.
As for law and Gospel, well, most of this Psalm is Law.
Remember what the Law does? The law points out your sins, error, makes demands, threats and looks for you do to or be something.
Verse 1- They are corrupt, do abominable deed - LAW
Verse 3- They all have turned aside, become corrupt, no one does good- LAW
Verse 4- They have no knowledge, do not call upon the Lord- LAW
But the Gospel is for you. It makes no demands on you. In relation to the Gospel you are purely a receiver. You receive its blessings. Forgiveness, peace, hope, assurance in Christ. The Gospel lightens your load and brings both joy and gladdness to your heart because your God has shown His love for you through His work, not yours. So, look at the Gospel verses:
Verse 6- "the LORD is his refuge"- GOSPEL! See the LORD is the actor. He gives protection to the oppressed sinner. He dosn't crush him, but saves Him. That's gospel.
Verse 7 (is a prayer)- "Oh that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion...let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad." GOSPEL! Through this final prayer it is clearly inferred that salvation will come for Israel. How does salvation come? Luther writes of this verse, "When it speaks of the help for Zion, it is promising or prophesying of the coming of Christ, for the Gospel and the Spirit have come from Zion."
This verse is Gospel also, for it highlights salvation, which only comes through Christ. When Christ comes and brings with Him salvation for the believer, the Church (Jacob, Israel are here used figuratively to mean all those who believe in Christ the Messiah) will "rejoice" and be "glad."
This rejoicing and gladdness is not a command, but an outgrowth of the Good News of the Gospel message.
Did you notice how this Psalm will always be timely? Does it only speak to our day or to every generation? Wherever there are those who declare "there is no God" this will be a timely Psalm. That will be always.
Yet, wherever there are those who are waiting on the Lord for deliverence, salvation and eternal life, this will also be a timely Psalm. That too will be always.
Don't ever let anyone tell you that the "Scriptures aren't relevant." If you think God's Word is not relevant than you're either
a. Not understanding what you are reading or...
b. Ignoring your sin and the sinful world in which you live.
But we are honest. We are sinners. Because we admit we are sinners, we can also admit with joy that God's Word has revealed to us the Way, the Truth and the Life. His name is Jesus and His work is forgiveness.
What can be better than that?
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