Chapter 67
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1God 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.
“God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.”
Overview
Psalm 67 is a missionary psalm, a prayer for God's blessing to reach all nations. Beginning with an echo of the Aaronic blessing — 'God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us' — the psalm immediately expands the purpose: 'That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.' The psalmist envisions all peoples praising God, the nations being glad because God judges the people righteously, and the earth yielding her increase. 'God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.'
Key Themes
Blessing for the Sake of the Nations
God's blessing upon His people is not an end in itself but a means — they are blessed so that all nations may know God's way and salvation.
All Peoples Praising God
The psalm envisions universal worship — 'Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee' — repeated to emphasize global inclusion.
God's Righteous Rule Over All Nations
The nations will be glad because God judges righteously and governs the nations upon earth — His rule brings joy, not fear.
Study Questions
How does this psalm transform the Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:24-26) from a national prayer into a global vision?
What does it mean that God's people are blessed 'that thy way may be known upon earth' (v. 2)?
How does the repeated refrain — 'let all the people praise thee' (vv. 3, 5) — emphasize the psalm's missionary heart?
How does this psalm challenge inward-focused faith that hoards God's blessings?
What does this psalm teach about the connection between God's blessing and evangelistic mission?
Connection to Christ
This psalm anticipates the Great Commission: as God blesses His people, they are sent to make His saving health known among all nations. Christ is the fulfillment of God's saving way — through Him, the ends of the earth come to know God. The vision of all peoples praising God is being fulfilled as the gospel spreads to every tribe and tongue.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Psalms 67. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?