The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 67
In brief
Psalm 67 is a short song of praise, drawn from the blessing the priests spoke over Israel. The psalmist asks God to make his face shine on his people, but with a clear purpose: that his way may be known on earth and his salvation among all nations. At the center, a chorus calls all peoples to praise him, because he judges with equity and governs the nations. The psalm closes on the harvest received from God and on the fear of his name to the ends of the earth.
The chapter in 3 parts
1May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us.
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.
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.
Key verses
May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us.
This verse echoes the priestly blessing in the book of Numbers. The people ask for God's kindness and his favorable presence, without keeping them for themselves alone.
That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations,
Here is the purpose of the blessing: to make God's way and salvation known to all nations. To be blessed is also to be sent.
let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you. Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.
The chorus returns twice and turns the horizon toward all peoples. The joy of the nations comes from the fact that God governs with equity.
God will bless us. All the ends of the earth shall fear him.
The psalm ends with a blessing that produces reverence for God to the ends of the earth: worship is the expected fruit of his gifts.
Bible verses to meditate on
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Frequently asked questions about Psalm 67
What does Psalm 67 mean?
Psalm 67 is a prayer for God's blessing whose purpose reaches beyond the people who ask for it. The psalmist wants the whole earth to know God's way and salvation, and all peoples to praise him. It reminds us that gifts received, like the harvest, are a starting point for praise and mission, not an end in themselves.
How can I pray or meditate on Psalm 67?
You can read it slowly aloud in three steps. First, ask God for his grace for you and your family. Then pray for the nations and for specific people who do not yet know Jesus, naming a country or a city. Finally, finish by giving thanks for what you received this week, as the psalm gives thanks for the harvest.
Who wrote Psalm 67?
The title names no author. It only says this is a psalm and a song for the choir director, with stringed instruments, so a song meant for worship. The text recalls the priests' blessing in Numbers 6, which shows it was sung in the assembly of Israel.
Articles quoting Psalm 67
World English Bible translation — public domain.