Sharper Iron — God's Word is Our Great Heritage - Psalm 119:1-8: Blessed by the Word of God

Through its acrostic structure, Psalm 119 shows us the comprehensiveness of the Word of God. In the first stanza, Psalm 1 is echoed as we learn that those who walk in the way of God’s Word are blessed. God has given His precepts for us to treasure in our hearts. With eyes fixed on His commandments, we are not put to shame but instead praise Him according to the righteousness He has freely given us in Jesus. In Him, God does not forsake us.

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Student Center in Macomb, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 119:1-8.

“God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through Psalm 119. As this longest Psalm takes us through an acrostic journey through the Hebrew alphabet, our God teaches us to find joy, refuge, strength, and life in His Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

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 119:1-8

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Aleph

119 ^[a] Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the Lord!
²Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
    who seek him with their whole heart,
³who also do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways!
⁴You have commanded your precepts
    to be kept diligently.
⁵Oh that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
⁶Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
⁷I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn your righteous rules.^[b]
⁸I will keep your statutes;
    do not utterly forsake me!

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Footnotes

Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter
Psalm 119:7 Or your just and righteous decrees; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164

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).