Sharper Iron — God's Word is Our Great Heritage - Psalm 119:41-48: Testimony that Stands Before Kings

In the sixth stanza of Psalm 119, we pray that God’s steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness would come down to us and bring the salvation He has promised. As He does so through His Word, that truth remains in our mouth to confess before the world. As we speak and walk in the security of all that God says, we are not put to shame.

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 119:41-48.

“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 119:41-48

Waw

⁴¹Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation according to your promise;
⁴²then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
⁴³And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my hope is in your rules.
⁴⁴I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever,
⁴⁵and I shall walk in a wide place,
    for I have sought your precepts.
⁴⁶I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
    and shall not be put to shame,
⁴⁷for I find my delight in your commandments,
    which I love.
⁴⁸I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
    and I will meditate on your statutes.

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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).