Psalms 67:1-7
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 people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and governa the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
Title. In the LXX this is called a hymn, and is inscribed to David.
Psalms 67:6. God, the Elohim, even our own God, the Messiah, shall bless us; so the ancients interpret these words.
REFLECTIONS.
This psalm opens with prayer, that God would be merciful to Israel, and bless them by a total reverse of their former afflictions and wars; for this song was uttered to the Lord while grateful sentiments of victory overflowed the soul of the prophet.
And while under those gracious influences, his soul expanded itself far, very far above the narrow spirit of his nation, to admit the fulness of the gentiles into the Messiah's fold, as is noticed by St. Paul. Romans 8:19. Let thy saving health, ישׁועתח yeshuateca, thy salvation, be extended to all nations. Let their darkness be enlightened to know thy way, thy covenant to Israel, and the hope of the Redeemer promised to all the families of the earth.
The thrice repeated prayer, Let the people praise thee, oh God, shows the exuberance of his heart, that the nations might be glad, might join in songs, and in all the felicitous sentiments which inspired his soul.
He then augurs the superabundant glory of the Messiah's reign, that the earth should be full of righteousness, full of people, saved from the devouring sword, and blessed with peace and bread. Then shall the earth bring forth its primitive increase, and God, even our own God, shall make the harvest last to the vintage, and the vintage to the seed-time: the seasons shall give each other the hand. The mountains shall drop down new wine, and the vallies flow with milk; and all the earth shall fear before him. Oh Lord, hasten it in thy own time; and let us find that kingdom in our hearts; yea, let our faith realize it in the promises, as though it were already come.