Sharper Iron — Time in the Psalms: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Rev. David Boisclair, interim pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 46.

Psalm 46 invites us to pray to God as the refuge and strength who will never fail us, no matter what enemies come against us. Neither disasters in nature nor political machinations can cause fear for the people of God, for He dwells in our midst and brings His help when it is needed the most. As we look out upon the battlefield from the safety of His presence, we see that He has defeated our enemies for us, as He calls us to be silent and trust in Him alone as our God. He is with us; He is our mighty fortress.

Join Sharper Iron during the month of July to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Psalm 46

God Is Our Fortress

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.^[a] A Song.

46 God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present^[b] help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

⁴There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

⁸Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰“Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
¹¹The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Footnotes

Psalm 46:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
Psalm 46:1 Or well proved

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).