33

All Have Sinned (Psalm 14, 53)

Scripture References

Thematically related:

Further Reflections on Scripture References

The primary reference for this song, especially the refrain, is found in Romans 3:9-24.

The reference in stanza 3 about God’s action of looking down and searching for goodness is also found in II Chronicles 16:9.

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

This song speaks about the fall into sin and the resulting sinfulness of the human race. God’s people are called to be aware of the fall. Belgic Confession, Article 14 summarizes the fall and its impact with these words: “They subjected themselves willingly to sin and consequently to death and the curse...”

 
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 3, Question and Answer 7 points out that “this fall has so poisoned our nature that we are all conceived and born in a sinful condition.” Yet, God’s people are also called to know about God’s grace, which is freely given, despite the depravity of the world. Our World Belongs to God, paragraph 14 claims that “we prove each day apart from grace that we are guilty sinners...”

33

All Have Sinned (Psalm 14, 53)

Additional Prayers

Patient and loving Lord,
in a world where many deny your very existence and fearlessly break your laws,
we trust that you are God Most High and that you will judge the world with justice.
You are sovereign—we are not; you are holy—we are not.
Help us to see the foolishness of earthly wisdom.
Through Jesus Christ, lead us home to you. Amen.
— Psalms for All Seasons (http://www.psalmsforallseasons.org)
Patient and loving God, so often we live as though we were God.
By your Holy Spirit show us that you alone are sovereign and holy.
Help us to see the foolishness of earthly wisdom,
and to discover the joy of knowing Jesus Christ, God’s wisdom.
We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Psalms for All Seasons (http://www.psalmsforallseasons.org)
A Prayer of Confession and Faith
 
Great God, pure and holy, you daily suffer fools who ignore you.
All have sinned, all have turned aside.
You lead us forward toward your holy city, but we wander off on our own.
All have sinned, all have turned aside.
But you do not abandon us, even in our folly.
Redemption will come one day, so we rejoice in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
33

All Have Sinned (Psalm 14, 53)

Tune Information

Name
BLAKE
Key
g minor
Meter
8.7.8.5 refrain 3.5.6.11.3

Recordings

Musical Suggestion

The stanzas may be sung by a solo voice. When all sing the refrain (“All have sinned . . .” ), it is a reminder that we also are indicted by the psalmist’s words. (See Rom. 3:10.)
— Psalms for All Seasons (http://www.psalmsforallseasons.org)
33

All Have Sinned (Psalm 14, 53)

Hymn Story/Background

Psalm 14 (which is virtually the same as Psalm 53) springs from a time when the many godless run roughshod over the few who walk humbly with God. The psalmist's lyrics refer to the godless as fools because they act as if there were no God to call them to account; yet God sees their folly and their God-defying oppression of his people. Confident that the LORD will expose such foolishness, the psalmist voices our prayer for the early deliverance of God's people and anticipates the time of their restoration and joy.
— Bert Polman

Author and Composer Information

Bev Herrema’s (b. Orange City, IA) dream job, if money was no object, has always been songwriting! In her early years, that meant winning Iowa Young Composer of the Year during college (under the tutelage of Dale Grotenhuis at Dordt College), earning a masters degree, teaching band/choir/general music, and writing songs for church & family. In 2004, Bev attended Christian Artists in the Rockies, which is the Gospel Music Association event that later moved to Nashville and became IMMERSE. At the 2004 event, Bev sensed a distinct calling and renewed challenge from God, and she also listened spellbound to presentations from veteran songwriters Sue Smith and Dave Clark, who would become both heroes and mentors. These experiences obviously provided valuable education, but also opened doors to meaningful relationships. During the ensuing years, she faithfully attended Sue Smith's songwriting workshop, “Write About Jesus”....and also wrote and had songs recorded in a variety of genres, which fit perfectly with her love for almost any kind of music!
 
In 2009, the co-written “She Said” (with Nikita and Ruslan Odnoralov from the band Everfound) won Song of the Year at IMMERSE’s inaugural event. And last year’s co-written “Broken World” was recorded by The Talleys and reached #3 on the Southern Gospel charts. Bev writes for Dave Clark at Sunday Best Publishing, where most of her music is aimed at children’s projects, church musicals, Sunday school curriculums, and Christian artists. She is deeply thankful for both the opportunity and the relationships that has brought into her life. The journey is the destination, so every single day—and every single song –is a huge blessing she prays she never takes for granted. What comes next? Her motto is and will always be: “Dwell in possibility….”
— Bev Herrema

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