Let all the peoples of the earth praise God

Psalm 67

 To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.
7 May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.

The psalm prays that God’s name would be praised by all the people of the earth. The psalm seeks God’s glory and God’s praise as having primary importance above everything else.

The psalm opens by asking God to bless Israel, not primarily for Israel’s benefit but that the world might know that God is active and has the power to save. The call is for God to save so that the world will know that God can save. Israel’s rescue is merely incidental to God being praised. God has the power to save all nations, and God has acted to save nations other than Israel, other than us, in the past. 

The second stanza (vs. 4,5) declares that God is to be praised because God judges the people of the world with equity and guides the nations of the earth. This is not just that God guides the nations who are friendly to Israel – but all nations. The application is to trust that God is guiding other nations, not just our nation. That all the nations are accountable to God, and are guided by him.

The last two verses declare that God has blessed the people of the earth with food. And we pause and say, “But what about those who do not have enough to eat? Does God really provide all that is needed?” God provides for all people to have enough, if those with much share with those who have little, and then all people could rejoice that God does provide.

The glory goes to God. He is to the center of this psalm. He is worthy of praise. A praise brought by people of all nations – joining in celebration of God. We are invited to listen to the voices of people around the world bringing their praise to God. Joining in their praise of God, just as we invite them to join in ours.

PRAYER: 

To you be all glory and praise, Lord God, you are worthy of praise. And with people of every nation and language and ethnicity we bow before you in joyous praise for you have shown your mercy and grace and love to all people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.