Sharper Iron — God's Word is Our Great Heritage - Psalm 119:25-32: From Dust to Life

In the fourth stanza of Psalm 119, we confess our own sinful condition that leads to the dust of death, yet we confidently pray that God would grant us life through His Word. When our lives melt away in the sorrows of sin, God gives us His Word to strengthen us. By His grace for our salvation, He leads us to choose faithfulness to Him, to cling to His testimonies, and to run in the way of His commandments.

Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 119:25-32.

“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 119:25-32

Daleth

²⁵My soul clings to the dust;
    give me life according to your word!
²⁶When I told of my ways, you answered me;
    teach me your statutes!
²⁷Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
²⁸My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word!
²⁹Put false ways far from me
    and graciously teach me your law!
³⁰I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I set your rules before me.
³¹I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
    let me not be put to shame!
³²I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you enlarge my heart!^[a]

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Footnotes

Psalm 119:32 Or for you set my heart free

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).