Psalm 67 — God’s Covenant is a Blessing

For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm, a Song.

1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us,
And cause his face to shine upon us;     Selah
2 That thy way may be known upon earth,
Thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise thee, O God;
Let all the peoples praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy:
For thou shalt judge the peoples with equity,
And govern the nations upon earth.     Selah
5 Let the peoples praise thee, O God;
Let all the peoples praise thee.
6 The earth hath yielded her increase:
God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
And all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

What a beautiful psalm of praise. God's connection and loving-kindness with his people is what we celebrate. Vs. 3 & 5 repeat and thereby divide the psalm into three small pieces. What do you see each piece to be about?

It opens with a plea for mercy and the glory of God to shine upon his people. This leads to our knowing and understanding God all the better. The second part, vs. 4, praises the just judgment God gives to the whole earth. Equity is the measure - God judges all equally. The third part of the psalm praises the results of this merciful and benevolent God: fruitfulness, blessings and godly fear.

This psalm praises God for his work for all creation, and especially for those in covenant with him. Yet, it also gives great hope that anyone may come to God and join in this covenant relationship. Will you come to God? Will you, too, praise him?