A Blessing For All Nations

A BLESSING FOR ALL NATIONS.

Psalm 67.

The opening of this Psalm echoes the beginning of the high-priestly benediction pronounced by Aaron and his sons (Psalm 67:1; cf. Numbers 6:24-25).

The Psalm also has its foundations in the blessing of all the families of the earth through Abraham and His seed (Psalm 67:2; cf. Genesis 12:2-3).

The Apostle Paul elaborates: ‘and that seed is Christ’ (Galatians 3:16).

It is not selfish to pray that God will bless us, if that blessing is seen as a channel of blessing for others.

The Psalmist speaks of God’s way being known upon earth (Psalm 67:2) – and again we see Jesus, who is the Way (John 14:6).

We read of God’s “saving power” for all nations (Psalm 67:2) - through a salvation found only in Jesus (Acts 4:12).

God is redeeming a people to Himself, through the blood of Jesus, out of every tribe and kindred and tongue and nation (Revelation 5:9).

This was the missionary motivation which saw the Church expanding from Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, to ‘the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8).

The blessing was never meant to be restricted to just one family, but to peoples and nations and families from “all the ends of the earth” (Psalm 67:7).

The Psalm’s refrain calls for “the peoples” to “praise you, O God: let all the people praise you” (Psalm 67:3; Psalm 67:5).

The middle verse elaborates, calling the nations into joyous song. God’s righteous judgment, and His sound government, are given as the reason for this all-encompassing and exuberant thanksgiving and praise (Psalm 67:4; cf. Psalm 96:10-13).

The occasion of this Psalm is identified by the harvest motif. Harvest is both the starting point and the prospect of Psalm 67:6.

Harvest is a theme held in common with the two preceding Psalms (Psalm 65; Psalm 66), and the one following (Psalm 68).

A successful harvest demonstrates the bounteousness of God to the ends of the earth. The ultimate harvest will be when “all the ends of the earth” revere God (Psalm 67:7).

In the meantime, there is a harvest to be reaped through prayer, and the preaching of the Word (cf. Matthew 9:36-38).

And the praising of His name (Psalm 67:3-5)!