A Quick Survey of the Book of Psalms: Romans 3:10-13
“9) What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; “10) as it is written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; 11) THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; 12) ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” 13) “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,” “THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS ”; 14) “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS ”; 15) “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD, 16) DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS, 17) AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.” 18) “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”” Romans 3:10-18
After making his opening statement in verse 9 that he had already proven that both Jews and Greeks are all sinful and lost, Paul starts tying together a number of verses from the book of Psalms to support his claim.
What he does is almost comical when the reader understands that the book of Psalms was a scroll in his day. It would have been nearly impossible for a reader in to look up every verse. Fortunately for us, there are scholars who have done exactly that and recorded the reference to every phrase Paul quoted.
If you have a good study Bible, the margin of your Bible should record every reference for easy access. This is a rewarding study in the book of Psalms to establish the depravity of humanity.
I may also add, that Paul was merely scratching the surface. The book of Psalms paints the fallen human heart in very dark and tragic colors. It leaves no doubt that from birth people are bent on going astray and often very maliciously.
The book of Psalms is amazing. It is is both an indictment on fallen human nature and a survey of the goodness of God and a preview of the gospel all at the same time. It stands alone as the most amazing book in the Bible, and Paul was very well studied in the book of Psalms.
I spend more time in the book of Psalms than any other book in the Bible. It is an inexhaustible treasure chest of truth and insight.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter; Cofounder of GoServ Global
