Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 14 with John Calvin – The Folly of theWicked It is painful to see wickedness triumph in the Church— the good and the simple unjustly afflicted, while the wicked cruelly domineer according to their pleasure. We need encouragement from David’s example, so that, in the midst of the great distress of the Church, we may comfort ourselves with this assurance that God will finally deliver her. In Psalm 14, David does not bring against his enemies the charge of common foolishness, but rather condemns the folly and wild boldness of those the world considers famous for their wisdom. We commonly see that those who are thought wise by themselves and others employ their cunning by laying traps, and use their intelligence to despise and mock God. It is therefore important for us to know that however much the world applauds these characters who indulge in wickedness, the Holy Spirit condemns them as fools; for there is no stupidity more offensive than forgetfulness of God. These men indulge themselves in their lusts so boldly and so outrageously that they pay no regard to righteousness or equity; in short, they wildly rush into every kind of wickedness. Obviously they have shaken off all religion, and

John Calvin on Psalm 14 “There is no better resolution we can make than the resolution to depend on God and to rest in his salvation,

extinguished, as far as they can, all remembrance of God from their minds. When the ungodly allow themselves to follow their own inclinations so stubbornly, without any sense of shame, it is evidence that they have cast off all fear of God.

and on the assistance he has promised us.”