The Fool Says in His Heart (Psalm 14) | Charles Simeon

Deep Dive into Horae Homileticae Vol. 5: Psalms, I–LXXII by Charles Simeon - Psalm 14The Psalmist's fervent desire, expressed as a "devout rapture," is encapsulated in the cry: "O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad." This deep longing stems from his profound contemplation of humanity's "extreme wickedness of the human heart" and the pervasive godlessness that leads men to disregard God and even wish for His non-existence. Overwhelmed by this universal depravity, the Psalmist yearns for a divine intervention.More specifically, his desire is for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is designated as the Saviour and who comes forth out of Zion. This longing is for salvation itself, recognized as the precise remedy for the "inexpressibly awful" state of the world and humanity's profound needs. For the heavy-laden sinner, this salvation offers the washing away of guilt in the Redeemer’s blood, the rooting out of corruptions by the Holy Spirit, reconciliation with God—transforming Him from an enemy into a Father and friend—and the promise of all the glory of heaven.Beyond individual deliverance, the Psalmist anticipates the full extent of salvation, a future period when the Gospel will reach all nations, breaking the dominion of Satan and bringing the whole human race to "serve the living God." This grand vision will result in profound global joy, as if "heaven itself will then appear to have come down upon the earth." Ultimately, the desire is for spiritual liberty from the captivity of sin and Satan, leading into the glorious liberty of God's children, a purpose for which the Saviour came and effects in all who partake of His salvation. This comprehensive yearning reflects a hope for total transformation, both individually and universally.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730