#335 – Psalm 143

·23 min·2 clips

Pastor Brett compares the soul's thirst in Psalm 143 to the misery of a dry mouth, revealing sin's desolation.

The episode begins with the hosts introducing their ongoing series on the Schmalkald Articles, specifically focusing on Article 3.7 about the office of the keys. They read Psalm 143:1-8, noting that verse 2 is quoted in the article. The hosts provide a quick summary of the office of the keys as the church's authority to bind and loose sins through law and gospel. They explain that Psalm 143 is used in the confessions to counter the Roman Catholic doctrine requiring individual confession of all sins, referencing Martin Luther's struggles with confession. The discussion highlights how sin includes both gross, manifest sins and subtle, secret ones known only to God. The hosts analyze the psalm's language, such as 'my soul thirsts for you like a parched land,' to depict the spiritual desolation caused by sin. Brett shares a personal anecdote about dry mouth from medication, while Jason connects it to Christ's thirst on the cross. Adam points out the imagery of darkness and morning, relating it to anxiety and the resurrection. Jason identifies incarnational references in verse 5, suggesting 'the work of your hands' alludes to Christ's nail-marked hands. The hosts emphasize that the office of the keys directs sinners to God's mercy alone, not human judgment. They discuss the practical application for believers in proclaiming law and gospel to each other, rooted in the priesthood of all believers. The episode concludes with a reminder to anchor identity in God's mercy and announcements about the podcast and Free Lutheran Bible College.

As heard by us

Psalm 143 frames the office of the keys through the crushed conscience and the mercy that meets repentance.

Psalm 143 gives this single-episode review a sober path into Schmalkald Articles 3.7, where the office of the keys is held close to a conscience crushed by sin.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

If your conscience is loud, this Psalm 143 study gives you a serious reason to press play.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Being Lutheran Podcast