Psalm 14 and Psalm 53 are almost word for word the same. God chose to repeat a full Psalm. That’s a big deal. What this Psalm is saying is a really big deal. It’s about a leaders responsibility to seek God and treat His people with respect and love and integrity.
We’d better seek Him and we’d better be praying for our people and dealing rightly with them, loving them, not treating them like a meal ticket. People are vulnerable and need leaders who will walk humbly before God, carrying the responsibility of leadership in a way that honors both God and people.
Or, if you are unwilling to lead God’s people honorably–serving them, don’t be a leader in God’s House. You would be better off leading in the market place.
Psalm 14 (MSG)
1 Bilious and bloated, they gas, “God is gone.” Their words are poison gas, fouling the air; they poison rivers and skies; thistles are their cash crop.
2 God sticks his head out of heaven. He looks around. He’s looking for someone not stupid—one man, even, God-expectant, just one God-ready woman.
3 He comes up empty. A string of zeros. Useless, unshepherded sheep, taking turns pretending to be Shepherd. The ninety and nine follow their fellow.
4 Don’t they know anything, all these impostors? Don’t they know they can’t get away with this—Treating people like a fast-food meal over which they’re too busy to pray?
5 Night is coming for them, and nightmares, for God takes the side of victims.
6 Do you think you can mess with the dreams of the poor? You can’t, for God makes their dreams come true.
7 Is there anyone around to save Israel? Yes. God is around; God turns life around. Turned-around Jacob skips rope, turned-around Israel sings laughter.
Psalm 53 (MSG)
1 Bilious and bloated, they gas, “God is gone.” It’s poison gas—they foul themselves, they poison rivers and skies; thistles are their cash crop.
2 God sticks his head out of heaven. He looks around. He’s looking for someone not stupid—one man, even, God-expectant, just one God-ready woman.
3 He comes up empty. A string of zeros. Useless, unshepherded sheep, taking turns pretending to be Shepherd. The ninety and nine follow the one.
4 Don’t they know anything, all these impostors? Don’t they know they can’t get away with this, treating people like a fast-food meal over which they’re too busy to pray?
5 Night is coming for them, and nightmare—a nightmare they’ll never wake up from. God will make hash of these squatters, send them packing for good.
6 Is there anyone around to save Israel? God turns life around. Turned-around Jacob skips rope, turned-around Israel sings laughter.
