Psalms — Chapter 67

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1God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

2That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

3Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

4O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

5Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

6Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.

7God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

1God be merciful unto us, and bless us, [And] cause his face to shine upon us; Selah

2That thy way may be known upon earth, Thy salvation among all nations.

3Let the peoples praise thee, O God; Let all the peoples praise thee.

4Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For thou wilt judge the peoples with equity, And govern the nations upon earth. Selah

5Let the peoples praise thee, O God; Let all the peoples praise thee.

6The earth hath yielded its increase: God, even our own God, will bless us.

7God will bless us; And all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Psalm 68 For the Chief Musician; A Psalm of David, a song.

1For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm, a song. May God show us his favor and bless us. May he smile on us. (Selah)

2Then those living on earth will know what you are like; all nations will know how you deliver your people.

3Let the nations thank you, O God. Let all the nations thank you.

4Let foreigners rejoice and celebrate. For you execute justice among the nations and govern the people living on earth. (Selah)

5Let the nations thank you, O God. Let all the nations thank you.

6The earth yields its crops. May God, our God, bless us.

7May God bless us. Then all the ends of the earth will give him the honor he deserves.

1May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. Selah.

2That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations,

3let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.

4Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Selah.

5Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.

6The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us.

7God will bless us. All the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A missionary psalm — a prayer for God's blessing upon Israel so that His way may be known among all nations and all peoples may praise Him; the earth shall yield her increase.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Hymn of Praise / Missionary Psalm Attributed Author: Anonymous Key Themes: God's blessing for global mission, all nations praising God, God's righteous governance, harvest blessing, the Aaronic benediction extended to the world
Historical Context: This brief, beautiful psalm (7 verses) is often called the "Old Testament Lord's Prayer" or the "Missionary Psalm." It opens by echoing the Aaronic Benediction (Numbers 6:24-26) but with a PURPOSE: "that thy way may be known upon earth" (v.2). Israel's blessing was never meant to be hoarded — it was intended to be a conduit of God's self-revelation to ALL nations. The psalm has a concentric structure with the refrain "Let the peoples praise thee" (vv.3,5) framing the center (v.4). It was likely used at harvest festivals (v.6 — "the earth has yielded her increase") to remind Israel that their agricultural blessing was connected to their calling to be a light to the nations.
Structure:
  • Prayer for Blessing with Purpose (vv.1-2)
  • Refrain: Let the Peoples Praise God (v.3)
  • Nations Rejoicing in God's Justice (v.4)
  • Refrain: Let the Peoples Praise God (v.5)
  • Harvest Blessing and Universal Fear (vv.6-7)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Blessing has a missionary purpose (vv.1-2). God blesses you not so you can accumulate but so you can transmit. Every blessing received is a blessing meant to flow through you to others. The question is always: "That WHAT?"
  • 2. God's just rule brings joy, not fear (v.4). Nations should SING FOR JOY because God judges righteously. Under human rulers, judgment is often corrupt. Under God's governance, everyone gets equity. That is cause for celebration.
  • 3. The harvest is evidence of God's faithfulness (v.6). Physical provision points to spiritual reality. When God blesses materially, receive it as a sign of His covenant care — and share it as a witness.
  • 4. The trajectory of faith is always outward (v.7). From "us" to "all the ends of the earth." A faith that stays turned inward has missed its purpose. Biblical blessing always pushes outward toward those who have not yet known God.