Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Illustration - Describe David's experience as kings, and his disheartening at the depravity of the people God had ordained him to govern.

Main Thought:

When God looked down from heaven, He saw a wholly sinful race in need of His saving grace!

Sub-intro:

Context - Describe how this is a lament Psalm, and bears good reason for weeping over the lost.

The superscription, To the chief musician upon Mahalath.

A Maschil.

A psalm of David, accurately depicts the tune and intent of the psalm.

It is almost impossible to say what the word Mahalath means, but in some forms the word refers to disease or sickness.

Undoubtedly, the sickness to which he refers is the depravity of man, the human condition that is recalled by the psalmist a second time in this psalm.

[Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds., KJV Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994), 1046–1047.]

Body:

I.

The Sinful Race (Ps.

53:1-3).

A. There Is None that Does Good (Ps.

53:1).

1.

The Fool's Internal Affections (v. 1a).

Note - "The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart" (unknown)

2. Whose Heart Is Inviting Atheism (v. 1b).

Note some observances about atheism.

3. Which Produces Iniquitous Fruit (v.

1c).

Note - Corruption is wrongdoing and it makes God sick that they have twisted His truth into their lie.

B. All People Are Corrupt (Ps.

53:2-3).

1. God's Divine Investigation (v. 2).

a. God's Authoritative Credentials for the Investigation (v.

2a).

b.

Those Under His Careful Investigation (v.

2b).

c.

That Which He Desires to Find Out (v.

2c).

Note - Understanding comes from seeking God.

2. Mankind's Deserved Indictment (v.

3).

a.

They Are All Back-slidden in the Filth of Iniquity (v.

3a).

b.

Not One Has Avoided the Mire of Iniquity (v.

3b).

II.

Saved By Grace (Ps.

53:4-6).

A. Workers of Iniquity Do Not Call Upon God (Ps.

53:4).

1.

The Question of Ignorance Is Raised in the Ungodly's Hurtful Actions toward God's People (v. 4a).

2. The Condition of Their Soul Is Lost (v. 4b).

B. God Defends His People (Ps.

53:5).

1.

The Moment of the Fool's Fear (v.

5a).

2. The Measure of the Fool's Fear (v.

5b).

3. The Meeting of the Fool's Fate (v.

5c).

4. The Melting in the Fool's Folly (v.

5d).

C. Hope for His Salvation (Ps.

53:6).

1. "The One Who Gives From Zion" (v.

6a).

2. The Salvation of Israel (v.

6b).

3. Setting the Captives Free (v.

6c).

4. The Rejoicing of Jacob and the Gladness of Israel (v.

6d).

Conclusion:

"Balance well the difference between those who worship and those who worship not—that difference which there is in the sight of God, in all ages, between the calculating, smiling, self-sustained, self-governed man, and the believing, weeping, wondering, struggling, heaven-governed man; between the men who say in their hearts 'There is no God,' and those who acknowledge a God at every step, 'if haply they might feel after Him and find Him.'"

--Ruskin, Stones of Venice [Guide to the Psalms, The - The Guide to the Psalms – Volume 2: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Psalms.]

When God looked down from heaven, He saw a wholly sinful race in need of His saving grace!