Sharper Iron — God's Word is Our Great Heritage - Psalm 119:9-16: God's Word for Our Heart, Lips, and Eyes

In the second stanza of Psalm 119, God teaches us that purity for our way comes through His Word. We treasure this Word in our heart so that it would remain on our lips and capture the constant gaze of our eyes. As we meditate on God’s Word, He brings us delight to have this true treasure.

Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 119:9-16.

“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 119:9-16

Beth

⁹How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
¹⁰With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments!
¹¹I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
¹²Blessed are you, O Lord;
    teach me your statutes!
¹³With my lips I declare
    all the rules^[a] of your mouth.
¹⁴In the way of your testimonies I delight
    as much as in all riches.
¹⁵I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
¹⁶I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

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Footnotes

Psalm 119:13 Or all the just decrees

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).