Psalms 67
BSB1 May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah 2 that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples justly and lead the nations of the earth. Selah 5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. 6 The earth has yielded its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. 7 God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.
Study Notes — Psalms 67
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Psalms 67
- Themes from Psalms 67
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Psalms 67
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Psalms 67 begins with a blessing, asking God to be gracious and bless His people, that His face may shine upon them (Psalms 67:1). The psalmist then expresses the desire for God's way to be known on earth and His salvation among all nations, that all peoples may fear Him (Psalms 67:2-3). The chapter continues with a call for the nations to be glad and sing for joy, because God judges the peoples with equity (Psalms 67:4). The psalm concludes with a statement of confidence in God's blessing and the hope that all nations will fear Him and know His salvation (Psalms 67:5-7).
Context for the Chapter
Psalms 67 is part of the Psalter, a collection of psalms in the Old Testament. The chapter fits within the larger biblical narrative of God's plan to redeem and bless all nations through His people Israel, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. The psalm's themes of global worship and salvation are connected to other biblical passages, such as Genesis 12:3 and Revelation 7:9.
Heart Application
The chapter encourages believers to pray for God's blessing and to desire His way to be known on earth. It also reminds us of our role in spreading God's salvation to all nations, and to trust in God's equity and righteousness in all things.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Psalms 67 is a psalm about God's blessing and global worship. The psalmist asks God to bless His people and to make His way known on earth, that all nations may fear Him and know His salvation (Psalms 67:1-2). The chapter encourages believers to trust in God's equity and righteousness, and to desire His way to be known globally.
Voices from the Church
“The blessing of God is not for one nation, but for all nations; it is not for one people, but for all peoples.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The psalmist's desire for God's way to be known on earth and His salvation among all nations is a call to all believers to spread the gospel to all nations.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction to God's Blessing (Psalms 67:1) — The psalmist asks God to be gracious and bless His people, that His face may shine upon them.
- Desire for Global Worship (Psalms 67:2-3) — The psalmist expresses the desire for God's way to be known on earth and His salvation among all nations.
- Call to Global Praise (Psalms 67:4) — The psalmist calls for the nations to be glad and sing for joy, because God judges the peoples with equity.
- Confidence in God's Blessing (Psalms 67:5-6) — The psalmist expresses confidence in God's blessing and the hope that all nations will fear Him and know His salvation.
- Conclusion and Eschatological Hope (Psalms 67:7) — The chapter concludes with a statement of confidence in God's blessing and the hope that all nations will fear Him and know His salvation.
Core Doctrines
- Sovereignty of God
- The chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all nations and peoples, and that His way will be known on earth (Psalms 67:2).
- Global Mission
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of spreading God's salvation to all nations, and the role of believers in this mission (Psalms 67:2).
- Eschatological Hope
- The chapter expresses an eschatological hope, where all nations will fear God and know His salvation (Psalms 67:5-7).
- God's Character
- The chapter highlights God's character, including His graciousness, equity, and righteousness (Psalms 67:1, 4, 5).
Lessons from Psalms 67
- God's Universal Plan — The chapter teaches that God has a universal plan to bless and save all nations, and that we, as believers, play a role in this plan.
- Importance of Global Mission — The chapter emphasizes the importance of spreading God's salvation to all nations, and the role of believers in this mission.
- God's Character — The chapter highlights God's character, including His graciousness, equity, and righteousness.
- Eschatological Hope — The chapter expresses an eschatological hope, where all nations will fear God and know His salvation.
- Trust in God's Sovereignty — The chapter encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples.
Themes from Psalms 67
- God's Universal Blessing — The chapter teaches that God's blessing is not limited to one nation or people, but is universal in scope.
- Global Worship — The chapter expresses the desire for global worship, where all nations will fear God and know His salvation.
- God's Character — The chapter highlights God's character, including His graciousness, equity, and righteousness.
- Eschatological Hope — The chapter expresses an eschatological hope, where all nations will fear God and know His salvation.
- Trust in God's Sovereignty — The chapter encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples.
Questions for Meditation
- What does it mean for God's face to shine upon us, and how can we experience this in our lives?
- How can we, as believers, play a role in spreading God's salvation to all nations?
- What does it mean for God to judge the peoples with equity, and how does this relate to His character?
- How can we, as believers, trust in God's equity and righteousness in all things?
- What is the eschatological hope expressed in the chapter, and how does this relate to our daily lives?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction to God's Blessing (Psalms 67:1)
| 67:1 | The psalmist asks God to be gracious and bless His people, that His face may shine upon them. |
2. Desire for Global Worship (Psalms 67:2-3)
| 67:2 | The psalmist expresses the desire for God's way to be known on earth and His salvation among all nations. |
| 67:3 | The psalmist desires for God's salvation to be known among all nations, that all peoples may fear Him. |
3. Call to Global Praise (Psalms 67:4)
| 67:4 | The psalmist calls for the nations to be glad and sing for joy, because God judges the peoples with equity. |
4. Confidence in God's Blessing (Psalms 67:5-6)
| 67:5 | The psalmist expresses confidence in God's blessing and the hope that all nations will fear Him and know His salvation. |
| 67:6 | The psalmist trusts in God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples. |
5. Conclusion and Eschatological Hope (Psalms 67:7)
| 67:7 | The chapter concludes with a statement of confidence in God's blessing and the hope that all nations will fear Him and know His salvation. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Psalms 67?
The main theme of Psalms 67 is God's universal blessing and the global spread of His worship, as seen in Psalms 67:1-2.
How does the chapter relate to Christ?
The chapter's themes of global worship and salvation are connected to Christ, who is the light of the world and the Savior of all nations, as seen in John 1:1 and Acts 4:12.
What is the eschatological hope expressed in the chapter?
The eschatological hope expressed in the chapter is that all nations will fear God and know His salvation, as seen in Psalms 67:5-7.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 67:1 → Numbers 6:24-26 | The blessing in Psalms 67:1 is similar to the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26, which expresses God's desire to bless and protect His people. |
| 2 | Psalms 67:2 → Genesis 12:3 | The desire for God's way to be known on earth and His salvation among all nations in Psalms 67:2 is connected to God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, where God promises to bless all nations through Abraham's descendants. |
| 3 | Psalms 67:3 → Isaiah 49:6 | The desire for God's salvation to be known among all nations in Psalms 67:3 is connected to Isaiah 49:6, where God says that He will make His servant a light to the nations, to bring His salvation to the ends of the earth. |
| 4 | Psalms 67:4 → Psalms 96:10 | The call for the nations to be glad and sing for joy in Psalms 67:4 is similar to the call to worship in Psalms 96:10, where the psalmist says that the Lord reigns and that the nations should be glad. |
| 5 | Psalms 67:5 → Psalms 100:1 | The expression of confidence in God's blessing in Psalms 67:5 is similar to the call to worship in Psalms 100:1, where the psalmist says that the Lord is good and that His love endures forever. |
| 6 | Psalms 67:6 → Romans 11:25-26 | The trust in God's sovereignty in Psalms 67:6 is connected to Romans 11:25-26, where Paul says that God has mercy on all and that He will have mercy on all nations. |
| 7 | Psalms 67:7 → Revelation 7:9 | The eschatological hope expressed in Psalms 67:7 is connected to Revelation 7:9, where John sees a great multitude from every nation, tribe, and language, standing before the throne and worshiping God. |
| 8 | Psalms 67:1-7 → John 1:1 | The themes of global worship and salvation in Psalms 67:1-7 are connected to John 1:1, where Jesus is introduced as the Word of God, who brings light and salvation to all nations. |
| 9 | Psalms 67:1-7 → Acts 4:12 | The themes of global worship and salvation in Psalms 67:1-7 are connected to Acts 4:12, where Peter says that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus, and that He is the only name given to men by which we must be saved. |
| 10 | Psalms 67:1-7 → Genesis 12:3 | The themes of global worship and salvation in Psalms 67:1-7 are connected to Genesis 12:3, where God promises to bless all nations through Abraham's descendants. |
Sermons on Psalms 67
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Pure Heart - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, Dr. Luke Reisman preaches from the historic pulpit of John Wesley in London. He highlights the power of reading and understanding the Word of God. He emphasizes the |
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"Too Intense?" "Radical?" by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker passionately shares his personal experiences of sacrifice and persecution for his faith in Jesus Christ. He recounts witnessing people dying and a young |
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Revival - Part 1 by J.I. Packer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the impact of God's blessings on his people and the resulting evangelistic overflow. He emphasizes that when God blesses his people, the worl |
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God Bless Us by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a Peruvian man named Angel Cominates who has planted over 500 churches in northern Peru. Despite his humble circumstances, Angel's |
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(Education for Exultation) Let All the Peoples Praise Him by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accepting one another within the church community. He urges the congregation to embrace a mindset of change and sacrifice f |
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Jap-01 the Earth Is the Lord's by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that this message will not be a neat and ordered lecture, but rather a raw and impactful experience. The speaker expresses their overwhelming |
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Jonah #1: Introduction by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the speaker introduces the book of Jonah and highlights three general observations about the book. The speaker emphasizes the importance of diligently and humbly pr |
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The Most Precious Praise by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of praising God even in difficult times. He observes the depression and anger in people walking the streets, but highlights t |
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Dr. k.p. Yohannan on the Operation World Book by K.P. Yohannan | This sermon by K.P. Yochanan, Director of Gospel for Asia, reflects on the impact of Operation World in understanding and praying for countries like India, with its diverse languag |
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The Restoration of God as Seen in the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant by John Saunders | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a story from the book of Judges in the Bible. The story involves a horrific act of immorality committed by the tribe of Benjamin, which leads |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 67
Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 67 emphasizes the universal scope of God's blessing and the global spread of His worship. Henry notes that the psalmist's desire for God's way to be known on earth and His salvation among all nations is a call to all believers to spread the gospel to all nations. He also highlights God's character, including His graciousness, equity, and righteousness, as seen in Psalms 67:1, 4, and 5. Henry encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples, and to desire His way to be known globally, as expressed in Psalms 67:2-3. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
Global Emphasis
The chapter has a strong global emphasis, with the psalmist expressing the desire for God's way to be known on earth and His salvation among all nations. This is seen in Psalms 67:2, where the psalmist desires for God's way to be known globally.
God's Character
The chapter highlights God's character, including His graciousness, equity, and righteousness, as seen in Psalms 67:1, 4, and 5.
Eschatological Hope
The chapter expresses an eschatological hope, where all nations will fear God and know His salvation, as seen in Psalms 67:5-7.









