Not A Single One

God looks down from heaven

on the entire human race;

he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,

if anyone seeks God.

But no, all have turned away;

all have become corrupt.

No one does good,

not a single one! Psalm 53:2-3

“NOBODY’S PERFECT,” people like to say. But of course the situation is far more grim than that. David describes the reality of humanity clearly in Psalm 53. He pictures God stooping to observe the conduct of his creatures, scanning the crowd to find a single person who is seeking him. And he can’t find even one.

It is not that there is no human goodness in the world, but rather that humans do not do good naturally. This shouldn’t surprise anyone who is a parent. No one has to teach a young child to be selfish, but often the lesson of sharing has to be taught. And as our children grow into teenagers, we know that they often are more likely to be influenced to do bad than to do good. Even when they do what is right, their good deeds are often tinged with self-serving motives.

The scene from heaven’s vantage point appears hopeless. David longs for God to intervene in this desperate situation, asking, “Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?” Salvation for Israel will have to come out of Zion, that is, out of God’s dwelling place. David places all his hopes in the day “when God restores his people,” for only then “Israel will rejoice” (Psalm 53:6). That glad day arrived with the coming of Jesus Christ.

David’s hope for sinful humanity is the same hope we have for our sinful children —that God will rescue them. Our hope is in the Savior who seeks after those who are not seeking after him.

Lord, I lament with David over the corruption in my heart and the hearts of my children. But my heart also hopes with David’s heart —that you will rescue and restore us.