description of the depravity of human nature, and the
deplorable corruption of a great part of mankind.
- The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. The sinner
here described is an atheist, one that saith there is no Judge
or Governor of the world, no Providence ruling over the affairs
of men. He says this in his heart. He cannot satisfy himself
that there is none, but wishes there were none, and pleases
himself that it is possible there may be none; he is willing to
think there is none. This sinner is a fool; he is simple and
unwise, and this is evidence of it: he is wicked and profane,
and this is the cause. The word of God is a discerner of these
thoughts. No man will say, There is no God, till he is so
hardened in sin, that it is become his interest that there
should be none to call him to an account. The disease of sin has
infected the whole race of mankind. They are all gone aside,
there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Whatever good is in
any of the children of men, or is done by them, it is not of
themselves, it is God's work in them. They are gone aside from
the right way of their duty, the way that leads to happiness,
and are turned into the paths of the destroyer. Let us lament
the corruption of our nature, and see what need we have of the
grace of God: let us not marvel that we are told we must be born
again. And we must not rest in any thing short of union with
Christ, and a new creation to holiness by his Spirit. The
psalmist endeavours to convince sinners of the evil and danger
of their way, while they think themselves very wise, and good,
and safe. Their wickedness is described. Those that care not for
God's people, for God's poor, care not for God himself. People
run into all manner of wickedness, because they do not call upon
God for his grace. What good can be expected from those that
live without prayer? But those that will not fear God, may be
made to fear at the shaking of a leaf. All our knowledge of the
depravity of human nature should endear to us salvation out of
Zion. But in heaven alone shall the whole company of the
redeemed rejoice fully, and for evermore. The world is bad; oh
that the Messiah would come and change its character! There is
universal corruption; oh for the times of reformation! The
triumphs of Zion's King will be the joys of Zion's children. The
second coming of Christ, finally to do away the dominion of sin
and Satan, will be the completing of this salvation, which is
the hope, and will be the joy of every Israelite indeed. With
this assurance we should comfort ourselves and one another,
under the sins of sinners and sufferings of saints.
description of the depravity of human nature, and the
deplorable corruption of a great part of mankind.