Sharper Iron — Time in the Psalms - Psalm 113: Our God Stoops Low to Heal

Psalm 113 is the first psalm in the Egyptian Hallel, which was used during the Passover celebration. The servants of the LORD are called to praise Him at all times and in all places. He is enthroned over His entire creation so that no one at all is like Him. In His almighty power, He shows incredible mercy, lifting up the poor and the needy and giving children to the barren. All of this He has accomplished in the incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 113.

To learn more about Grace Lutheran, visit www.graceelgin.org.

Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. Visit lcef.org.

Psalm 113

Who Is like the Lord Our God?

113 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!

²Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore!
³From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!

⁴The Lord is high above all nations,
    and his glory above the heavens!
⁵Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
⁶who looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?
⁷He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
⁸to make them sit with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
⁹He gives the barren woman a home,
    making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

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).