Sharper Iron from KFUO Radio

Even as the hymns for the season of Lent are penitential in nature, they also point us to the joy that is ours in justification by grace through faith in Christ. Martin Luther’s hymn on Psalm 130 is a marvelous example of this truth. We cry out to our God from the depths of our sin because we know that He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. His forgiveness is the only hope we have, and He gives it to us with grace upon grace. Therefore, we wait for His deliverance in Christ with eager expectation.

Rev. Dr. Christian Preus, pastor at Mount Hope Lutheran Church and School in Casper, WY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #607, “From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee.” Find this hymn at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/607.

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.

Lutheran Service Book 607

1 From depths of woe I cry to Thee,

In trial and tribulation;

Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,

Lord, hear my supplication.

If Thou rememb'rest ev'ry sin,

Who then could heaven ever win

Or stand before Thy presence?

2 Thy love and grace alone avail

To blot out my transgression;

The best and holiest deeds must fail

To break sin's dread oppression.

Before Thee none can boasting stand,

But all must fear Thy strict demand

And live alone by mercy.

3 Therefore my hope is in the Lord

And not in mine own merit;

It rests upon His faithful Word

To them of contrite spirit

That He is merciful and just:

This is my comfort and my trust.

His help I wait with patience.

4 And though it tarry through the night

And till the morning waken,

My heart shall never doubt His might

Nor count itself forsaken.

O Israel, trust in God your Lord.

Born of the Spirit and the Word,

Now wait for His appearing.

5 Though great our sins, yet greater still

Is God's abundant favor;

His hand of mercy never will

Abandon us, nor waver.

Our shepherd good and true is He,

Who will at last His Israel free

From all their sin and sorrow.

Text Information

First Line: From depths of woe I cry to Thee

Title: From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee

Author: Martin Luther, 1483-1546

Translator: Catherine Winkworth, 1827-78 (alt. )

Meter: 87 87 887

Language: English

Publication Date: 2006

Scripture: Psalm 130; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:20-21; 1 Timothy 1:14

Topic: Confession and Absolution; Psalm paraphrase

Tune Information

Name: AUS TIEFER NOT

Composer: Martin Luther, 1483-1546 (alt. )

Meter: 87 87 887

Incipit: 51565 345

Key: e minor

Find this hymn at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/607.

The work of the Servant of the LORD brings singing. The choir grows throughout creation and to the ends of the earth as praises resound for what God has done. He shouts aloud in victory like a mighty warrior or a woman in labor, for His deliverance is here. He guides those who are blind and opens their eyes who have been blinded by idolatry. The shocking reality is that it is God’s own people Israel who have been so blinded. Though they had been called to be the LORD’s servant, they have not lived up to their calling because of their idols. The LORD is the One who has brought judgment upon His people for this reality, yet always with the promise that He is the One who will rescue His plundered people.

Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 42:10-25.

"The Fifth Evangelist” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through Isaiah 40-66. Though Isaiah lived one hundred years beforehand, he writes to the people of God in exile in Babylon to assure them that their God reigns and will rescue them through the work of His servant. These promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose work Isaiah proclaims vividly seven hundred years beforehand.

This joyous Easter hymn resounds with Alleluias at what our Lord Jesus has done in His resurrection. His victory over death and the grave is made ours by His grace. His suffering on the cross has redeemed us from all that we lost under sin. His sufferings, death, and resurrection have won our salvation, which is ours eternally because He reigns forever. As His love for us is eternal, so our praises to Him are eternal as we sing to the Triune God with all the heavenly host forever. Find this hymn at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/457.

Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #457, “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today.”

In Matthew 18 and Luke 15, Jesus speaks a parable about a man who owns one hundred sheep, and one becomes lost. In love for that one sheep, the shepherd seeks it out and brings it back to the flock with great joy. By this parable, Jesus teaches us the great love that He has for us sinners. He calls us to see ourselves as the lost sheep that He seeks and finds through repentance and forgiveness of sins in His name. He calls us into His joy in this salvation, both the joy of being saved ourselves and the joy of being with all those sinners whom Christ brings into His Church.

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church—Friedheim, just outside Decatur, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:1-7.

Learn more about Sharathon 2024 and give now at kfuo.org/sharathon.

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.

St. Paul entreats the Galatians that they would not return to the slavery of idolatry of their former way of life. To look for salvation under works of the law is nothing else than such slavery. The Apostle reminds the Galatians of his faithful ministry among them and their faithful reception of the gospel he preached to them. Why would they now reject him and treat him as an enemy? He expresses his anguish and his confusion at their attraction to false doctrine, and gives them an opportunity to repent and return to the truth.

Rev. Dr. Scott Murray, pastor at Memorial Lutheran Church and School in Houston, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Galatians 4:8-20.

“No Other Gospel” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of Galatians. St. Paul writes an urgent letter to the Galatians lest they forsake the one true Gospel. The apostle calls the Galatians away from the teaching of the Judaizers, because salvation does not come when we add any sort of works to what Jesus has done for us. We are only saved by God’s grace in Christ Jesus.