- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
For the music director. To be accompanied by stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.
1May God be gracious to us and bless us. May he look favorably on us. Selah.
2May everyone on earth come to know your ways, your salvation among all people.
3May the people praise you, God; may all the people praise you.
4May they be happy and sing for joy because you judge people fairly, and you guide everyone on earth. Selah.
5May the people praise you, God; may all the people praise you.
6The earth has produced its crops; and God, our God, has blessed us.a
7God will bless us, and all people everywhere will respectb him.
Footnotes:
6 aOr “May the earth produce its crops; may God, our God, bless us.”
7 bLiterally, “fear.”
A Pure Heart - Part 1
By Leonard Ravenhill44K43:43RepentanceEXO 20:2PSA 34:18PSA 51:17PSA 67:3PSA 103:2ECC 3:4REV 2:4In 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 importance of reading scripture with sincerity and authenticity, rather than trying to be dramatic like actors. Dr. Reisman shares a personal story of a tragic experience in his own life to illustrate the need for mercy and the intimate relationship with God. He also references the 8th and 23rd Psalms to emphasize the greatness of God and His mercy towards mankind.
"Too Intense?" "Radical?"
By Paul Washer10.0K03:56Radio ShowPSA 67:2ISA 64:1HOS 4:6MAT 16:24ACT 20:242TI 1:71PE 1:15In 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 boy being shot for crying out in the name of Jesus. The speaker emphasizes the need for true holiness and godliness among believers, calling for a turning away from sin and a wholehearted pursuit of God. He challenges the audience to prioritize the proclamation of the gospel and the advancement of God's kingdom, even if it means risking their lives. The speaker also highlights the importance of knowing and living according to the Word of God.
Revival - Part 1
By J.I. Packer3.7K1:18:42PSA 67:1ISA 60:1ZEC 8:5In 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 world feels the impact and nations are drawn to the light and life that God has given to his people. The preacher also highlights the presence of sin when God comes close, as the Holy God reveals the knowledge of one's sins. He then delves into his understanding of revival, drawing from Psalm 85:6 and emphasizing the suddenness and fast work of God's blessing during times of revival. The sermon concludes with a mention of the overnight maturity of love and service that occurs during revival.
God Bless Us
By Paul Washer2.3K37:34BlessingPSA 1:3PSA 67:1In 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 dedication to God's mission is evident. The speaker emphasizes the importance of using the blessings we have been given and not taking them for granted. He encourages the audience to cry out for blessings but also to use them for God's glory. The sermon concludes with a call to pray and give towards God's mission.
(Education for Exultation) Let All the Peoples Praise Him
By John Piper2.1K44:24PSA 67:3PSA 117:1MAT 6:33ROM 15:72CO 8:9In 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 for the sake of spreading the message of God's mercy to the nations. The speaker highlights the example of Christ, who became a servant to the Jewish people and ultimately died for the salvation of all. The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging the church to prioritize the exultation of God among the nations and to be willing to give up personal comforts and desires for the sake of fulfilling God's eternal plans.
Jap-01 the Earth Is the Lord's
By Art Katz1.8K1:03:54JapanesePSA 7:11PSA 24:1PSA 67:2JER 25:31HOS 4:6JHN 1:1ROM 10:17PHP 2:10In 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 ignorance about Japan but believes that the Holy Spirit is already revealing important truths. They stress the importance of delivering a personal message, just as Paul did, by knowing God as judge and persuading others through personal knowledge. The speaker also highlights the need for Japan to hear the truth about God's judgment and the importance of repentance.
Jonah #1: Introduction
By Ed Miller1.6K1:03:58PSA 67:1EZK 1:1MAT 12:39LUK 11:29In 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 preparing to see the Lord and expresses the hope that the Lord will manifest Himself to the listeners. The speaker mentions the crisis in the book of Jonah and suggests that the key to understanding it lies in the New Testament. The speaker references Matthew 12 and Luke 11, where Jesus refers to Jonah as a sign and emphasizes the need for change. The speaker concludes by stating that the main enemy of missions is Christians who are not signs.
The Most Precious Praise
By Jim Cymbala1.4K20:05PraiseEXO 20:3PSA 67:3MAT 6:9MAT 6:33ACT 16:25ROM 12:12EPH 4:32In 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 the joy that comes from praising Jesus. The preacher encourages Christians to praise God not only when things are going well, but especially when they are facing challenges or uncertainty. He emphasizes the power of praising God with a joyful heart and references the story of Paul and Silas praising God in jail, which led to their release. The preacher urges believers to look up, worship, and thank God with all their hearts, even in the midst of struggles.
Dr. k.p. Yohannan on the Operation World Book
By K.P. Yohannan1.4K01:342CH 7:14PSA 67:1MAT 9:38ROM 12:12EPH 6:18PHP 4:6COL 4:21TH 5:171TI 2:1JAS 5:16This 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 languages and people groups. Through daily prayers and devotionals, Operation World serves as a tool to intercede for nations and rejoice in God's work globally, echoing the call to pray to the Lord of the Harvest in Matthew 9.
The Restoration of God as Seen in the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant
By John Saunders1.0K1:12:03PSA 50:1PSA 67:1PSA 80:3PSA 80:7PSA 80:19MAT 18:21In 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 to a war between Benjamin and the rest of Israel. Despite suffering defeats in battle, the people of Israel seek guidance from the Lord and continue to fight. The preacher emphasizes the theme of restoration, highlighting how God calls a remnant to Himself and works to restore what was lost. The sermon also draws parallels to the coming of Jesus, who, in his humility and weakness, ultimately defeats the enemy and brings about restoration.
Unreached Peoples: China's Minority Groups #6 the Jungles of Southern Yunnan
By Paul Hattaway88400:00PSA 67:2MAT 9:37MAT 28:19ACT 1:8ROM 10:14REV 7:9This sermon focuses on various minority people groups in Xishuangbanna, China, such as the Hani, Kutsong, Jingpa, Lahu, Genua, and Bulong, highlighting their unique cultures, religious practices, and the introduction of Christianity among them. It emphasizes the importance of praying for these unreached groups, that the Word of God may reach their hearts and minds, leading to spiritual transformation and the expansion of God's kingdom among diverse communities.
10 Questions About Anabaptism
By Dean Taylor68357:16PSA 67:1This sermon delves into the importance of understanding and living out the core principles of Anabaptism, emphasizing the need to focus on Jesus Christ as the center of salvation and to be a separated, sanctified people to bring glory to God on earth. It addresses questions about preserving culture without equating it to the gospel, meshing the vision of younger and older generations, and the responsibility of being among the world's riches. The sermon encourages a clear vision rooted in biblical foundations and the empowerment of the church to fulfill its purpose in spreading God's glory.
Prayer Focus
By Jim Cymbala64920:26PrayerPSA 67:1MAT 6:33MAT 7:7PHP 4:6In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison as described in the Bible. Peter was in a seemingly hopeless situation, chained to two guards in a dungeon with two more guards at the door. However, through prayer, God opened the doors for Peter and his chains fell off. The preacher emphasizes that God can open not only physical doors but also spiritual doors and can free people from various chains, such as addiction and sin. The sermon encourages believers to have faith in God's ability to intervene in difficult situations and to pray for the awakening of those who are spiritually asleep.
Brownsville Revival, Part 1
By David Ravenhill8159:26RevivalGod's PurposeThe Abrahamic CovenantPSA 67:1PSA 96:3ISA 42:6MAL 1:11ACT 13:36ACT 20:27ROM 8:28GAL 3:8EPH 1:112TI 1:9David Ravenhill emphasizes the importance of understanding God's purpose and calling in the life of believers, using the metaphor of a jigsaw puzzle to illustrate how many Christians possess fragmented pieces of truth without seeing the complete picture. He discusses the significance of the Abrahamic Covenant, highlighting that God's intention was for Israel to be a blessing to all nations, not merely to enjoy His blessings for themselves. Ravenhill warns against the church's focus on conversions over callings, urging believers to recognize their divine purpose and to manifest God's glory in their lives. He stresses that true leadership requires a clear vision of where one is going, and that understanding God's overarching plan is essential for effective ministry.
(How to Understand the Kjv Bible) 36 Psalm 67
By Keith Simons5224:02The Kingdom of GodKJV BibleGod's BlessingGEN 12:3NUM 6:24PSA 23:1PSA 67:1MAT 6:10Keith Simons explores Psalm 67, drawing parallels between this psalm and the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing the themes of God's mercy, blessing, and the desire for His ways to be known across the earth. He highlights the repetitive structure of the psalm, which reflects a deep yearning for God's salvation and governance to extend beyond Israel to all nations. Simons connects the psalm's call for praise and joy among the nations to the future reign of the Messiah, where righteousness will prevail and the earth will yield its increase. He encourages listeners to see the broader implications of the Lord's Prayer as a communal plea for God's kingdom to manifest on earth. Ultimately, the sermon underscores the hope that all nations will come to know and fear God, fulfilling His promise to bless the world through Israel.
God's Power and Promises of Supernatural Wealth
By Mike Bickle251:08:27Faithfulness in FinancesSupernatural WealthDEU 8:18PSA 67:1PRO 11:25HAG 2:8MAL 3:10MAT 6:19LUK 6:382CO 8:9PHP 4:191TI 6:17Mike Bickle emphasizes God's power and promises regarding supernatural wealth, urging believers to understand that financial blessings are not merely for personal gain but to advance God's covenant and spread the Gospel. He highlights the spiritual warfare involved in financial blessings, encouraging perseverance and faithfulness in the face of challenges. Bickle shares personal testimonies of miraculous provision, illustrating that God desires to bless His people abundantly for the purpose of establishing His kingdom on earth. He calls for a paradigm shift in how we view money, seeing it as a tool for saving souls rather than for personal luxury. Ultimately, Bickle encourages the congregation to set their hearts to honor God in all financial matters, trusting in His rich provision.
On Offering Praise to God
By Charles Finney0PraiseSpiritual TransformationPSA 34:1PSA 50:23PSA 67:5PSA 100:4PSA 150:6EPH 5:19COL 3:161TH 5:16HEB 13:15REV 4:11Charles Finney emphasizes the significance of offering praise to God, explaining that true praise stems from a heart filled with confidence, affection, and a sense of dependence on Him. He argues that acceptable praise is not merely verbal acknowledgment but requires a sincere appreciation of God's goodness and a union of our will with His. Finney highlights that praising God is a universal duty that not only honors Him but also transforms us spiritually and influences others positively. He warns against the dangers of withholding praise, which can lead to spiritual stagnation and misrepresent God's character to the world. Ultimately, he calls for a revival of the spirit of praise within the church to enhance both personal spirituality and collective witness.
A Discourse on Singing of Psalms as a Part of Divine Worship.
By John Gill0WorshipSinging PsalmsJOB 38:6PSA 66:1PSA 67:3PSA 95:1PSA 96:1ISA 52:81CO 14:15EPH 5:19COL 3:16JAS 5:13John Gill emphasizes the significance of singing psalms as a vital part of divine worship, arguing that it is a distinct ordinance from prayer and should be performed with both spirit and understanding. He asserts that singing is not limited to the Old Testament but is a moral duty for all believers, rooted in natural religion and the practice of the early church. Gill outlines the nature of singing, the subjects to be sung, and the manner in which it should be performed, encouraging congregational participation and the use of scriptural psalms. He also addresses common objections regarding the practice, affirming its importance in both personal and communal worship. Ultimately, Gill calls for a return to the simplicity and spirituality of psalmody in the church.
Psalm 67
By Henry Law0PSA 67:1Henry Law preaches about the earnestness of prayer, the bright prospects, shining prophecies, and glorious anticipations found in hymns. He emphasizes the importance of turning God's promises into earnest prayers, believing in His rich mercy and blessings. Law urges believers to pray not only for their own needs but for the salvation of all nations, emphasizing the need for sincere prayer coupled with active efforts in missions. The sermon paints a vivid picture of universal praise and joy when Jesus establishes His righteous kingdom, where all nations will sing for joy and fear Him.
Intercession
By Richard E. Bieber0PSA 67:5MAT 18:18LUK 22:31JHN 17:20ROM 8:26ROM 8:33EPH 1:16EPH 6:18PHP 1:3COL 4:3HEB 7:25Richard E. Bieber emphasizes the importance of intercession in our ministry, highlighting that our true calling and ministry began the moment we started walking with Jesus. He stresses that our primary ministry is hidden before the eyes of God, consisting of service to God in worship and service to man in intercession. Bieber urges believers to prioritize intercession, as it is the foundation upon which all other outward ministries rest, drawing examples from Jesus' prayer life and the apostle Paul's relentless intercession for others.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Introduction
A prayer that, by God's blessing on His people, His salvation and praise may be extended over the earth. (Psa 67:1-7) cause his face to shine--show us favor (Num 6:24-25; Psa 31:16).
Verse 2
thy way--of gracious dealing (Isa 55:8), as explained by-- saving health--or literally, "salvation."
Verse 3
Thanks will be rendered for the blessings of His wise and holy government (compare Isa 2:3-4; Isa 11:4).
Verse 6
The blessings of a fruitful harvest are mentioned as types of greater and spiritual blessings, under which all nations shall fear and love God. Next: Psalms Chapter 68
Introduction
INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 67 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song. According to the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, this psalm is a psalm of David; and very probably it was written by him, since the spirit and language of it agree with that sweet singer of Israel, though his name is not in the title; wherefore Aben Ezra says, we know not who composed it: and so the inscription of the Syriac version pronounces the same uncertain; which adds, "the people sung it when they brought David over Jordan;'' meaning after Absalom's rebellion was over, Sa2 19:41; but what follows better expresses the occasion and intent of it; "but to us it intimates a prophecy in it concerning the calling of the Gentiles, and the preaching of the apostles; likewise concerning the judgments of the Lord:'' and it seems indeed to breathe out the desires of the church after the coming of Christ, and spiritual blessings by him, and the spread of the Gospel among the Gentiles, as what would bring forth much fruit in the earth, and be the occasion of great joy. The ancient Jews (i) apply it , "to future time"; the world to come, the times of the Messiah: and Kimchi understands it of the gathering of the present captivity when the Messiah comes, and of the destruction of Gog and Magog. Of the word "neginoth", See Gill on Psa 4:1, title. (i) Debarim Rabba, s. 1. fol. 233. 4. Yalkut Simeoni in loc.
Verse 1
God be merciful unto us, and bless us,.... That is, God, of his unmerited mercy, of his rich grace and free favour, bless us with the coming of his Son, the promised seed, in whom all nations are to be blessed; and with the blessings of peace, pardon, and righteousness in him; all which with him spring from the tender mercy of God, the riches of his grace, and his great love; than which nothing could be more desirable to the Old Testament saints, who were shut up under the law, until faith came; and though children, they differed nothing from servants, being in a state and under a spirit of bondage: for the psalmist seems to represent the whole church under that dispensation: some understand the words as a prophecy, expressing the certainty of what would be; and, as the words may be rendered, "God will be merciful", or "gracious to us (k), and he will bless us"; as he has promised to do; and cause his face to shine upon us; that is, grant his gracious presence, and the discoveries of his love; that he would favour with communion with himself through Christ, and a greater knowledge of him in him; or that he would cause him, who is his face, his image, the brightness of his glory, to appear and shine forth; the great light, the sun of righteousness, and dayspring from on high, that was to arise and shine upon the people of God. The Targum is, "and cause the splendour of his face to shine with us always;'' there seems to be some reference to the high priest's form of blessing in Num 6:24. Selah; on this word; see Gill on Psa 3:2. (k) "miserebitur", Gejerus, Schmidt.
Verse 2
That thy way may be known upon earth,.... God's way and method of grace, in the salvation of sinners; the contrivance of it in Christ, the impetration of it by him, and the application of it by his Spirit; and the way of sinners to him through Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, the new and living way to the Father; and the way of life and salvation, which is grace, and by Christ alone; and the Gospel which points out this way, and is itself called the way of God, Act 18:25; together with the ordinances of it, which are ways of pleasantness, and paths of peace; all this was made known by the apostles and first preachers of the Gospel; not only in the land of Judea, but throughout the whole earth; thy saving health among all nations; or "thy salvation"; or "thy Jesus" (l); whose name signifies a Saviour; and who is the only one, and an able and willing one, and is God's salvation, of his appointing, promising, and sending; salvation is by him, and by him only; he came to obtain it, and he is the author of it; health is also by him, he is the physician of souls, and his blood the balm that cures every disease; so that he is the Saviour, salvation, and saving health, to his people; this was unknown to the nations of the world until the Gospel came among them, until the grace of God bringing this salvation appeared unto them, and shone upon them, Tit 2:11. (l) "salutem tuam", Pagninus, Montanus, &c. "i.e. salvatorem cujus nomen erit Jesus", Gejerus.
Verse 3
Let the people praise thee, O God,.... Let them have occasion to praise God, the people of the Jews, for the mission of Christ, and for the blessings of grace and peace with him; let all the people praise thee; all the nations of the world, for making known the way of life and grace, and the saving health or salvation of God unto them: the word used signifies to "confess" (m); and so the Targum, "the people shall confess before thee, O God; all the people shall confess before thee;'' that is, shall confess their sins, being made sensible of them; and confess the true and living God, turning from their idols to serve him; and Christ to be the only Saviour and Redeemer, being now made known unto them, through the preaching of the Gospel. (m) "confiteantur", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, &c.
Verse 4
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy,.... As they were glad, and did sing for joy, and glorified God, when Christ was made known, and the Gospel was preached unto them, Act 8:5. for thou shalt judge the people righteously; meaning not the people of the world at the last day, at the general judgment, which will be a righteous one; when God will judge the world in righteousness, according to the strict rules of justice and equity, by him whom he has ordained, Psa 96:1; but either the righteous judgment which will be executed on the enemies of Christ's church and people; particularly on antichrist, which will be matter of great joy, Rev 19:1; and Kimchi interprets it of the judgment of the nations which shall come with Gog and Magog; or else the judging and vindicating the Lord's own people, defending their cause, righting their wrongs, and suffering no weapon to prosper against them; and govern the nations upon earth; or "lead them" (n); not to punishment, as Kimchi, who interprets this clause as the other; but by his grace and Spirit, into the knowledge of his way, and saving health; or as a shepherd leads his flock into green pastures, and beside the still waters; or as a king leads and governs his people, as David guided the people of Israel, with the skilfulness of his hands; so Christ leads and governs his people, protects and defends them, holds them by his right hand, guides them with his counsel, and then receives them to glory; see Psa 23:2. Selah; on this word; see Gill on Psa 3:2. (n) "duces eas", Montanus; "deduces", Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius; "deducis", Piscator.
Verse 5
Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. See Gill on Psa 67:3. This is repeated from that preceding verse to show the earnest desire of the church that it might be so; or that there might be an occasion for it; the ardour of her mind, and fervency of her petitions, and how much she was solicitous for the praise and glory of God; or to declare the certainty of it, she most strongly believing that so it would be; as the Targum, "the people shall confess", &c. because of a new favour to be enjoyed, mentioned in Psa 67:6. . Psalms 67:6 psa 67:6 psa 67:6 psa 67:6Then shall the earth yield her increase,.... Not literally the land of Israel, as in some copies of the Targum, and as Kimchi interprets it; see Lev 26:3; but mystically and spiritually the church of God in the times of the Messiah, Eze 34:23; the word of God preached in the world is the seed sown in it; converts to Christ are the increase or fruit of it; and the church is God's husbandry, where it is yielded or brought forth; and this increase is of God, and is owing to the efficacy of his grace attending the ministration of the word, Co1 3:6; it had its accomplishment in part in the first times of the Gospel, when it was preached by the apostles throughout the earth, and brought forth fruit everywhere, Col 1:5; and has been fulfilling more or less ever since, and will appear more abundantly in the latter day; a large increase and a plentiful harvest of souls shall be brought in, both Jews and Gentiles: or this may be understood of the fruitfulness of believers in Christ, who may be called "earth", because of their common original from the earth with the rest of mankind; because they are inhabitants of the earth; and because they have earthly as well as heavenly principles in them; but more especially because they are the good ground on whom the seed of the word falls and becomes fruitful; or are the earth which drinks in the rain of the Gospel, and of grace, and brings forth fruit meet for them, by whom it is dressed, and receives blessing of God, Mat 13:23; these yield the fruits of the Spirit, increase in grace, and abound in the exercise of it; bring forth fruits meet for repentance, being filled with the fruits of righteousness by Christ; for the increase and fruit yielded by them are owing to the grace of God, to their grafting into Christ the vine, and to the influence of the blessed Spirit. Some of the ancients understand this of the incarnation of Christ; see Psa 85:11; then "the earth" is the Virgin Mary, who was, as to her original, of the earth, earthly; of whose earthly substance Christ took flesh, and is called the fruit of her womb; yea, the fruit of the earth, Luk 1:42; for though he is the Lord from heaven, as to his divine nature, and came down from thence, not by change of place, but by assumption of nature; yet, as to his human nature, he was made of a woman, and is the seed of the woman, the promised seed, in whom all nations of the earth were to be blessed; and it here follows: and God, even our own God, shall bless us; not as the God of nature and providence only; but as the God of grace, as a covenant God in Christ, in which sense he is peculiarly his people's own God, so as he is not others; and as such he blesses them with all spiritual blessings in Christ: or the repetition of the word "God", with the affix "our own", may denote the certainty of the divine blessing, the assurance had of it, and the great affection of the persons that express it: and some think, because the word is repeated three times in this verse and Psa 68:7, respect is had to the trinity of Persons in the Godhead; God the Father blesses his people in Christ with the blessings of justification, pardon, adoption, and eternal life: the Son, who is Immanuel, God with us, God in our nature, our own God, God manifest in the flesh; he blesses with the same blessings of grace, peace, and eternal happiness; he was raised up of God as man and Mediator, and sent to bless his people, Act 3:26.
Verse 6
God shall bless us,.... The Holy Spirit blesses with regenerating and renewing grace; with faith, comfort, joy and peace, by shedding abroad in the heart the love of the Father and the Son; by applying precious promises; by testifying adoption; by making meet for heaven and happiness, and working up for the selfsame thing eternal glory; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him; the one God, Father, Son, and Spirit, the object of religious fear, internal and external; for this includes the exercise of that inward grace of filial fear, and the performance of all divine worship, public and private; and which in the latter day will be found among Jews and Gentiles, in all the inhabitants of the earth, even to the ends of it, Hos 3:5. Next: Psalms Chapter 68
Verse 1
The Psalm begins (Psa 67:1) with words of the priest's benediction in Num 6:24-26. By אתּנוּ the church desires for itself the unveiled presence of the light-diffusing loving countenance of its God. Here, after the echo of the holiest and most glorious benediction, the music strikes in. With Psa 67:2 the Beracha passes over into a Tephilla. לדעת is conceived with the most general subject: that one may know, that may be known Thy way, etc. The more graciously God attests Himself to the church, the more widely and successfully does the knowledge of this God spread itself forth from the church over the whole earth. They then know His דּרך, i.e., the progressive realization of His counsel, and His ישׁוּעה, the salvation at which this counsel aims, the salvation not of Israel merely, but of all mankind.
Verse 3
Now follows the prospect of the entrance of all peoples into the kingdom of God, who will then praise Him in common with Israel as their God also. His judging (שׁפט) in this instance is not meant as a judicial punishment, but as a righteous and mild government, just as in the christological parallels Psa 72:12., Isa 11:3. מישׁר in an ethical sense for מישׁרים, as in Psa 45:7; Isa 11:4; Mal 2:6. הנחה as in Psa 31:4 of gracious guidance (otherwise than in Job 12:23).
Verse 5
The joyous prospect of the conversion of heathen, expressed in the same words as in Psa 67:5, here receives as its foundation a joyous event of the present time: the earth has just yielded its fruit (cf. Psa 85:13), the fruit that had been sown and hoped for. This increase of corn and fruits is a blessing and an earnest of further blessing, by virtue of which (Jer 33:9; Isa 60:3; cf. on the contrary Joe 2:17) it shall come to pass that all peoples unto the uttermost bounds of the earth shall reverence the God of Israel. For it is the way of God, that all the good that He manifests towards Israel shall be for the well-being of mankind.
Introduction
This psalm relates to the church and is calculated for the public. Here is, I. A prayer for the prosperity of the church of Israel (Psa 67:1). II. A prayer for the conversion of the Gentiles and the bringing of them into the church (Psa 67:2-5). III. A prospect of happy and glorious times when God shall do this (Psa 67:6, Psa 67:7). Thus was the psalmist carried out by the spirit of prophecy to foretel the glorious estate of the Christian church, in which Jews and Gentiles should unite in one flock, the beginning of which blessed work ought to be the matter of our joy and praise, and the completing of it of our prayer and hope, in singing this psalm. To the chief musician on Neginoth. A psalm or song.
Verse 1
The composition of this psalm is such as denotes the penman's affections to have been very warm and lively, by which spirit of devotion he was elevated to receive the spirit of prophecy concerning the enlargement of God's kingdom. I. He begins with a prayer for the welfare and prosperity of the church then in being, in the happiness of which he should share, and think himself happy, Psa 67:1. Our Saviour, in teaching us to say, Our Father, has intimated that we ought to pray with and for others; so the psalmist here prays not, God be merciful to me, and bless me, but to us, and bless us; for we must make supplication for all saints, and be willing and glad to take our lot with them. We are here taught, 1. That all our happiness comes from God's mercy and takes rise in that; and therefore the first thing prayed for is, God be merciful to us, to us sinners, and pardon our sins (Luk 18:13), to us miserable sinners, and help us out of our miseries. 2. That it is conveyed by God's blessing, and secured in that: God bless us; that is, give us an interest in his promises, and confer upon us all the good contained in them. God's speaking well to us amounts to his doing well for us. God bless us is a comprehensive prayer; it is a pity such excellent words should ever be used slightly and carelessly, and as a byword. 3. That it is completed in the light of his countenance: God cause his face to shine upon us; that is, God by his grace qualify us for his favour and then give us the tokens of his favour. We need desire no more to make us happy than to have God's face shine upon us, to have God love us, and let us know that he loves us: To shine with us (so the margin reads it); with us doing our endeavour, and let it crown that endeavour with success. If we by faith walk with God, we may hope that his face will shine with us. II. He passes from this to a prayer for the conversion of the Gentiles (Psa 67:2): That thy way may be known upon earth. "Lord, I pray not only that thou wilt be merciful to us and bless us, but that thou wilt be merciful to all mankind, that thy way may be known upon earth." Thus public-spirited must we be in our prayers. Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come. We shall have never the less of God's mercy, and blessing, and favour, for others coming in to share with us. Or it may be taken thus: "God be merciful to us Jews, and bless us, that thereby thy way may be known upon earth, that by the peculiar distinguishing tokens of thy favour to us others may be allured to come and join themselves to us, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you," Zac 8:23. 1. These verses, which point at the conversion of the Gentiles, may be taken, (1.) As a prayer; and so it speaks the desire of the Old Testament saints; so far were they from wishing to monopolize the privileges of the church that they desired nothing more than the throwing down of the enclosure and the laying open of the advantages. See then how the spirit of the Jews, in the days of Christ and his apostles, differed from the spirit of their fathers. The Israelites indeed that were of old desired that God's name might be known among the Gentiles; those counterfeit Jews were enraged at the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles; nothing in Christianity exasperated them so much as that did. (2.) As a prophecy that it shall be as he here prays. Many scripture-prophecies and promises are wrapped up in prayers, to intimate that the answer of the church's prayer is as sure as the performance of God's promises. 2. Three things are here prayed for, with reference to the Gentiles: - (1.) That divine revelation might be sent among them, Psa 67:2. Two things he desires might be know upon earth, even among all nations, and not to the nation of the Jews only: - [1.] God's way, the rule of duty: "Let them all know, as well as we do, what is good and what the Lord our God requires of them; let them be blessed and honoured with the same righteous statutes and judgments which are so much the praise of our nation and the envy of all its neighbours," Deu 4:8. [2.] His saving health, or his salvation. The former is wrapped up in his law, this in his gospel. If God make known his way to us, and we walk in it, he will show us his saving health, Psa 50:23. Those that have themselves experimentally known the pleasantness of God's ways, and the comforts of his salvation, cannot but desire and pray that they may be known to others, even among all nations. All upon earth are bound to walk in God's way, all need his salvation, and there is in it enough for all; and therefore we should pray that both the one and the other may be made known to all. (2.) That divine worship may be set up among them, as it will be where divine revelation is received and embraced (Psa 67:3): "Let the people praise thee, O God! let them have matter for praise, let them have hearts for praise; yea, let not only some, but all the people, praise thee," all nations in their national capacity, some of all nations. It is again repeated (Psa 67:5) as that which the psalmist's heart was very much upon. Those that delight in praising God themselves cannot but desire that others also may be brought to praise him, that he may have the honour of it and they may have the benefit of it. It is a prayer, [1.] That the gospel might be preached to them, and then they would have cause enough to praise God, as for the day-spring after a long and dark night. Ortus est sol - The sun has risen. Act 8:8. [2.] That they might be converted and brought into the church, and then they would have a disposition to praise God, the living and true God, and not the dumb and dunghill deities they had worshipped, Dan 5:4. Then their hard thoughts of God would be silenced, and they would see him, in the gospel glass, to be love itself, and the proper object of praise. [3.] That they might be incorporated into solemn assemblies, and might praise God in a body, that they might all together praise him with one mind and one mouth. Thus a face of religion appears upon a land when God is publicly owned and the ordinances of religious worship are duly celebrated in religious assemblies. (3.) That the divine government may be acknowledged and cheerfully submitted to (Psa 67:4): O let the nations be glad, and sing for joy! Holy joy, joy in God and in his name, is the heart and soul of thankful praise. That all the people may praise thee, let the nations be glad. Those that rejoice in the Lord always will in every thing give thanks. The joy he wishes to the nations is holy joy; for it is joy in God's dominion, joy that God has taken to himself his great power and has reigned, which the unconverted nations are angry at, Rev 11:17, Rev 11:18. Let them be glad, [1.] That the kingdom is the Lord's (Psa 22:28), that he, as an absolute sovereign, shall govern the nations upon earth, that by the kingdom of his providence he shall overrule the affairs of kingdoms according to the counsel of his will, though they neither know him nor own him, and that in due time he shall disciple all nations by the preaching of his gospel (Mat 28:19) and set up the kingdom of his grace among them upon the ruin of the devil's kingdom - that he shall make them a willing people in the day of his power, and even the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ. [2.] That every man's judgment proceeds from the Lord. "Let them be glad that thou shalt judge the people righteously, that thou shalt give a law and gospel which shall be a righteous rule of judgment, and shalt pass an unerring sentence, according to that rule, upon all the children of men, against which there will lie no exception." Let us all be glad that we are not to be one another's judges, but that he that judges us is the Lord, whose judgment we are sure is according to truth. III. He concludes with a joyful prospect of all good when God shall do this, when the nations shall be converted and brought to praise God. 1. The lower world shall smile upon them, and they shall have the fruits of that (Psa 67:6): Then shall the earth yield her increase. Not but that God gave rain from heaven and fruitful seasons to the nations when they sat in darkness (Act 14:17); but when they were converted the earth yielded its increase to God; the meat and the drink then became a meat-offering and a drink-offering to the Lord our God (Joe 2:14); and then it was fruitful to some good purpose. Then it yielded its increase more than before to the comfort of men, who through Christ acquired a covenant-title to the fruits of it and had a sanctified use of it. Note, The success of the gospel sometimes brings outward mercies along with it; righteousness exalts a nation. See Isa 4:2; Isa 62:9. 2. The upper world shall smile upon them, and they shall have the favours of that, which is much better: God, even our own God, shall bless us, Psa 67:6. And again (Psa 67:7), God shall bless us. Note, (1.) There are a people in the world that can, upon good grounds, call God their God. (2.) Believers have reason to glory in their relation to God and the interest they have in him. It is here spoken with an air of triumph. God, even our own God. (2.) Those who through grace call God their own may with a humble confidence expect a blessing from him. If he be our God, he will bless us with special blessings. (4.) The blessing of God, as ours in covenant, is that which sweetens all our creature-comforts to us, and makes them comforts indeed; then we receive the increase of the earth as a mercy indeed when with it God, even our own God, gives us his blessing. 3. All the world shall hereby be brought to do like them: The ends of the earth shall fear him, that is, worship him, which is to be done with a godly fear. The blessings God bestows upon us call upon us not only to love him, but to fear him, to keep up high thoughts of him and to be afraid of offending him. When the gospel begins to spread it shall get ground more and more, till it reach to the ends of the earth. The leaven hidden in the meal shall diffuse itself, till the whole be leavened. And the many blessings which those will own themselves to have received that are brought into the church invite others to join themselves to them. It is good to cast in our lot with those that are the blessed of the Lord.
Verse 1
Ps 67 In this anonymous prayer for God’s blessing, the psalmist addresses the knowledge and worship of God among the nations (cp. 64:9; 65:8). The prayer requests that God’s name be kept holy and that his kingdom come (cp. Matt 6:9-13).
67:1-2 This prayer is based on the priestly blessing found in Num 6:24-26. God’s goodness to Israel affects his reputation among the nations (see Ps 96:1-3).
Verse 3
67:3 God’s international reputation leads to his praise among the nations (see 138:4), whose turmoil and rebelliousness will cease when they join Israel in praise of God. • One God rules over all, and the nations will give thanks for God’s just rule (see 67:4).
Verse 4
67:4 God brings the ultimate justice that human beings desire (96:10; 98:9).