Peace Lutheran Church Sussex, Wisconsin

Congregation at Prayer: July 25, 2021

The Lord’s Prayer — First Petition

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Catechesis Notes for the Week — Psalm 119: Pe and Tsadde—Meditations on the Word of God—The testimonies of the Lord and the comfort of His righteousness are themes of both the Pe and the Tsadde sections of Psalm 119. In the Pe section, the psalmist begins by the declaration “Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.” This is the language of faith in the Gospel of God’s love and salvation in Christ. The testimonies of the Lord are the promises of the Gospel. They are the declarations of forgiveness and righteousness in Christ. God’s Word can be a stern word of Law, but in this section the emphasis is upon the comfort of the Gospel. The Gospel gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. It directs our paths. It does not allow iniquity to rule over us. It is the word of redemption. By the Gospel, God’s face shines upon us and we are grieved by those who turn away from the Gospel in unbelief. In this section, testimonies, words, commandments, word, precepts, statutes, and law are the references to the Word of God. In the Tsadde section, the theme of righteousness intensifies: “Righteous are you….  Your testimonies … are righteous….  Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness….  The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting…” These are not merely references to the holiness of the Lord, but of the righteousness of God in Christ. The righteousness of God is that He offered up His Son to the death of the cross on our behalf to make full atonement for all sin. This is the righteousness that is proclaimed in the Gospel and received by faith alone and not by the works of the Law. Sometimes “commandments” refer to the requirements of the Law, but commandments can also refer to the edicts of the Gospel that silences Satan’s accusations, takes away sin, and bestows the righteousness of Christ. These “commandments” are the eternal delight of the redeemed sinner. In this section, judgments, testimonies, words, word, precepts, law, and commandments are references to the Word of God.

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