Psalms 53 · Grade 5

No One Does Good

Name Date

Read and Think

The title of Psalm 53 calls it a contemplation by David. The psalm nearly repeats Psalm 14. The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. This is less a debate about whether God exists than a way of living: people who ignore God become corrupt and do abominable iniquity.

God looks down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there are any who understood, who seek after God. The verdict is total: every one of them has gone back, and there is no one who does good, no, not one. In the New Testament, Paul quotes this teaching in Romans 3 to show that all people need God's rescue.

Yet the psalm is not hopeless. Those who attack God's people end in great fear, and the psalm longs for the salvation of Israel to come out of Zion. When God brings back his people from captivity, Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad. The need is universal, but so is the hope.

Show What You Know

Why is saying there is no God a way of living, not just an idea?
What is God looking for when he looks down?
How does the New Testament use this teaching?
Where does the psalm say salvation will come from?

Crossword

Across

Who ____ after God.
The fool has said in his ____.

Down

God looks down from ____ on the children of men.

Think About It

If no one does good on their own, why is God's rescue such good news?
How does your belief about God shape the way you live each day?

Memory Verse

“Every one of them has gone back. They have become filthy together. There is no one who does good, no, not one.”

Psalms 53:3 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for seeing everyone. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How does Romans 3 use this psalm?
How does knowing you cannot save yourself change the way you treat others?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?