Sharper Iron — God's Word is Our Great Heritage - Psalm 119:81-88: Longing for God’s Salvation

In the eleventh stanza of Psalm 119, our whole being longs for God to fulfill His promise. As we lament before God, we acknowledge that His promise is true by crying out for Him to be faithful as we see all that is not righteous in the world. His Word provides a sure refuge when we lament, so that our faith in Him is not put to shame.

Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 119:81-88.

“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 119:81-88

Kaph

⁸¹My soul longs for your salvation;
    I hope in your word.
⁸²My eyes long for your promise;
    I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
    yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
⁸⁴How long must your servant endure?^[a]
    When will you judge those who persecute me?
⁸⁵The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
    they do not live according to your law.
⁸⁶All your commandments are sure;
    they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
⁸⁷They have almost made an end of me on earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸In your steadfast love give me life,
    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

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Footnotes

Psalm 119:84 Hebrew How many are the days of your servant?

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).