Psalm 14: Spurgeon's Insights

General

      • The dedication To the Chief Musician establishes that the psalm
        was written for public choir worship in the great assemblies,
        rather than restricted to private individual use (Spurgeon,
        Psalm 14)

      • Public singing of psalms containing complaint and sacred
        doctrine demonstrates that corporate worship in song is not
        restricted exclusively to expressions of praise (Spurgeon,
        Psalm 14)

      • Practical atheism originates in the corrupt moral desires of
        the heart rather than in intellectual head knowledge, as the
        fallen heart seeks to suppress conscience and escape God's
        moral governance (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • Skepticism attacks the personal, covenantal, and governing
        presence of God (Elohim) as ruler, lawgiver, and Savior, rather
        than abstract deity (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • Human depravity is both passive in human nature and actively
        aggravated through personal choices and continuous habits
        (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • Head-focused intellectual arguments alone cannot dismantle
        unbelief, because skepticism is rooted in a heart that lacks
        grace to believe (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • Divine observation and inspection precede divine judgment,
        demonstrating God's impartial justice and deliberate search for
        any who seek Him rather than hasty or indiscriminate wrath
        (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • Universal apostasy infects the entire human race, leaving
        fallen humanity morally bankrupt and devoid of spiritual
        goodness apart from sovereign grace (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • The persecution of God's people flows directly from enmity
        toward God and hard bondage to iniquity, as wicked workers seek
        entertainment in devouring the poor (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • The wicked experience sudden, irrational panic and cowardice
        despite their outward arrogance, because God abides in the
        generation of the righteous (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

Christ

      • The apostle Paul's citation of Psalm 14 in Romans 3 reveals the
        universal scope of human sinfulness across both Jews and
        Gentiles, establishing the total depravity that necessitates
        the gospel of grace (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • Preaching the all-conquering love of Jesus directed at the
        heart is the ordained instrument to convert doubters to the
        faith of the gospel, far surpassing intellectual argumentation
        (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • The prayer for salvation to come out of Zion looks beyond
        historical captivity to the glorious revelation and second
        advent of Christ as Savior to deliver His spiritual seed from
        sorrow (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

Church

      • Believers are bound by apostolic instruction to teach,
        admonish, and build one another up in public assembly through
        psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • External participation in corporate worship can mask internal
        practical atheism; therefore, members of the church must
        examine their hearts to ensure genuine belief in God's active
        governance (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • Believers must diligently guard against every form of doubt
        concerning God's presence, power, and love, so as not to drift
        into the practical folly of the atheist (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

      • The church is called to endure the ridicule of persecutors by
        clinging to the Lord as her true refuge and resting in His
        protective presence amidst worldly scorn (Spurgeon, Psalm 14)

Works Cited

Spurgeon, Charles H. The Treasury of David. Vol. 1, Passmore and 
Alabaster, 1870.

-- 
Good News †

The crucifixion of Christ completely satisfied the debt of our sins 
toward God (Colossians 2:14), which God verified by bringing Him back to 
life (Romans 1:4). As a result, God is proven just when He forgives 
believers (Romans 3:26) and delivers them from the approaching wrath (1 
Thessalonians 1:10). Eternal salvation is a free gift appropriated by 
faith (Romans 6:23). If you believe in Him, call on the Lord for your 
deliverance (Romans 10:9-13):

How to be saved: christrose.news/salvation