Psalms 67
Big idea: Israel prays the Aaronic blessing over itself and then explains what the blessing is for. May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us — that your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations. The blessing is not the destination; it is the evidence. Then the refrain, twice: let the peoples praise you; let all the peoples praise you. Seven verses, and the word nations or peoples appears in almost every one.
Psalm 67 wants the nations glad. Psalm 68 marches them into the sanctuary.
67:1–7 — Let all the peoples praise you
Seven verses built on a mission. It opens with the Aaronic blessing — be merciful, bless us, make your face shine — and then attaches a purpose clause that changes what the blessing is for: THAT your way may be known on earth. Being blessed is treated as a means rather than an end. The refrain then repeats unchanged, and the harvest at the end is reported as the evidence.
1 For the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. Selah. 2 That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations, 3 let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you. 4 Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Selah. 5 Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you. 6 The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us. 7 God will bless us. All the ends of the earth shall fear him.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).