PsalmsChapter 67

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For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.

May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make his face shine upon us. Selah

that your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with fairness and guide the nations upon the earth. Selah

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its harvest; may God, our God, bless us.

May God bless us, and let all the ends of the earth fear him.

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Summary2

Chapter 67

Main Theme: A prayer for God's blessing upon Israel, with the purpose that all nations may know His salvation and fear Him.

Content: The psalm opens with a prayer that God would be gracious and let His face shine upon His people (v. 2). The aim is that God's way and salvation may become known among all nations (v. 3). The nations are called to praise God because He judges righteously and guides the nations (vv. 4-6). The psalm concludes with the earth yielding its increase, and God's blessing leading all the ends of the earth to fear Him (vv. 7-8).

Key Words/Images:

God's face shines (v. 2): An image of God's grace and favor, drawn from the Aaronic blessing (Num 6:25).
All peoples/nations (vv. 4-6): A repeated refrain that underscores the psalm's universal, missional perspective.
The earth's increase (v. 7): God's concrete blessing as a sign of His goodness and faithfulness.
The ends of the earth (v. 8): Expresses the ultimate goal: that the whole world should fear and honor God.

Historical context

Key Concepts

The psalm has a clear liturgical structure that reflects blessing formulas from temple service. The opening words of verse 2 ("May God be gracious to us and bless us, may he make his face shine upon us") are an almost direct parallel to the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6:24–26. The Hebrew expression יָאֵר פָּנָיו ("make his face shine") is an idiom denoting God's favor and presence. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the "shining face" of a king or deity was an expression of grace and protection.

The word יְשׁוּעָתֶךָ (jeshu'atekha, "your salvation/saving act") in verse 3 encompasses more than spiritual deliverance—it includes concrete rescue, victory, and well-being. When the psalm prays that God's "way" (דֶּרֶךְ) may be known on earth, this refers to God's manner of acting and his will as revealed through his deeds.

Events and Customs

The psalm was likely used as a harvest thanksgiving song, as indicated by verse 7: "The earth has yielded its increase." In the Israelite agricultural society, the harvest was a critical moment when God's blessing became visible and tangible. Harvest festivals—especially the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)—were occasions when the people gathered at the temple to give thanks for the crops. The connection between material blessing and mission to the nations (verses 3–4) reflects a theology in which Israel's prosperity was meant to serve as a testimony to God's goodness for all nations. This universal perspective, where "all peoples" (כָּל־גּוֹיִם) are to praise God, points toward prophetic visions of the nations making pilgrimage to Zion.

People

No known people in this chapter.

Key words8

God — The almighty Creator who, according to Genesis, created the heavens, the earth, and all life.
Created — The term used to describe God's act of bringing the universe and everything in it into existence.
Gracious — Refers to God's love, mercy, and goodness toward humanity.
Bless — To give divine favor, protection, or prosperity to someone or something.
Nations — Groups of people who share a common culture, language, or ethnicity.
Righteousness — God's righteousness, which means He acts in accordance with His own nature and laws.
Lord — Another designation for God, often used to show respect and reverence.
Hymn — A song or poem that expresses gratitude, honor, and praise to God.