Sharper Iron — God's Word is Our Great Heritage - Psalm 119:33-40: The Well-Worn Path of God’s Word

In the fifth stanza of Psalm 119, we ask that God would teach us His Word so that we would hold onto Him until He brings us to the goal of eternal life with Him. His Word is a well-worn path that brings delight to us as we walk in His will. As God turns our heart and eyes toward His Word, He turns away the reproach of sin and gives to us His righteousness.

Rev. Kelly Krieg, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in William Penn, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 119:33-40.

“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 119:33-40

He

³³Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.^[a]
³⁴Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
³⁵Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
³⁶Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
³⁷Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.
³⁸Confirm to your servant your promise,
    that you may be feared.
³⁹Turn away the reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
⁴⁰Behold, I long for your precepts;
    in your righteousness give me life!

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Footnotes

Psalm 119:33 Or keep it as my reward

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).