Psalm 67

Psalm 67

Verse 1-As with Psalm 66 (see our study), this psalm calls all people to see that the Lord is good and that the Lord is God. This psalm is a psalm of God’s blessing. The prayer is much like the priestly blessing of Numbers 6.24-26, wherein God will look graciously upon us and not turn His back to us (a sign of judgement). Each verse expresses the same thought using different terms to help the reader focus on the blessing and the protection. He states that He will bless you, and keep you; that He will make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; and that He will turn his face toward you and give you peace. When God faces us, we receive His greatest blessing which is to see Him (Matthew 5.8). The greatest curse we can receive from God is when He turns His back to us. Think of Jesus on the cross, utter darkness and complete wrath were His lot as God the Father judged our sins upon Him (Matthew 27.45-46).

There is one major difference which we have seen in many of the psalms (see our study of Psalm 53). That difference is in Numbers the word used for God in the Hebrew is the word for the God of Israel which is Jehovah (יְֽהוָה). The word here is Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) which is the God above all other gods, the triune Godhead.

With all this going on, the psalmist calls us to pause and consider these truths for ourselves (Selah).

Is God your blessing because you stand in right relationship with Him as His child or is God your cursing because you stand in wrong relationship with Him as a child of the devil. Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? Read John 8.31-47.

• Verse 2-The verse expands the blessing that the name Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) suggests in verse one that is for God to be known to all the nations not just Israel.
• Verses 3-4-The psalmist now presents the case for all the world to be praise God. His desire is for the nations to know the saving grace of God as seen in the acts of righteous judgement that He makes. He again asks us to consider, to pause, to reflect (Selah) on this matter for our lives. Do you live your life in such a way that others are drawn to God and desire to know Him (see our study of Psalm 66).
• Verses 5-7-The psalmist repeats verse three as a chorus of sorts pleading that the nations might know Him. The nations are to bless God because of His sovereign reign over all the earth.

Does your life draw men to God? Read Zechariah 8.20-23. Is this what people do in light of what God is doing through you? If so, praise Him; if not, ask yourself why not (Selah).

Interesting numbers in this psalm:

• The phrase “Bless us” is used three times.
• The phrase “Praise you” is used four times.
• The word “us” referring to Israel is used six times.
• The word “nations” is used nine times.
• A reference to God is made fifteen times with a picture of the trinity involved.

All this in seven verses.

Author: Pastor David

David R Williamson is the founder of Teach for God Ministries. He holds degrees from Grace Bible College, Grand Canyon University, Grace Theological Seminary, and Walden University. David has been actively involved in ministry since 1979. He has ministered in various ministries from Sunday School teacher, Youth Pastor, to English Pastor in Taiwanese churches, including teaching ten years at the Junior High school level. Currently, David is teaching at Hillcrest Christian School at the High School level. He is also pulpit supply and retreat speaker for churches and other religious organizations. He is happily married to Karen with three children: Joshua, Kazlyn, and Joseph View all posts by Pastor David