Reflections on Psalm 67

 Psalms 67(Contemporary English Version)

1. (A psalm and a song for the music leader. Use with stringed instruments.) Our God, be kind and bless us! Be pleased and smile.
   
2. Then everyone on earth will learn to follow you, and all nations will see your power to save us.
   
3. Make everyone praise you and shout your praises.
   
4. Let the nations celebrate with joyful songs, because you judge fairly and guide all nations.
   
5. Make everyone praise you and shout your praises.
   
6. Our God has blessed the earth with a wonderful harvest!
   
7. Pray for his blessings to continue and for everyone on earth to worship our God.

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This psalm expresses God's ideal for His people. His people, in this case, being Israel, but it applies to any of His people for all time. It begins with the appeal for God to bless His people and look on them with favor, not for their benefit but for His benefit and the benefit of all people. This is a truth that is at the heart of God's relationship with His people and of all scripture. There are two aspects of this truth: first, that we should understand that there is a missionary nature to our relationship with God, and second, that our best benefits of God's blessings come indirectly rather than as our primary pursuit. In other words, our primary aim in seeking God's blessings is that His kingdom would be furthered and all people would come to know His salvation. As a participant in the furthering of God's kingdom we, too, are blessed.

So the psalmist appeals to God to "be gracious to us and bless us; look on us with favor," so that, "Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations." (67:1, 2) The desired result of God's salvation being known among all nations is that "the nations (may) rejoice and shout for joy, for You judge the peoples with fairness and lead the nations on earth." (67:4) This relationship with God is the primary benefit of worshiping God, but a side benefit is receiving the earth's harvests which is God's blessing to those who worship Him.

Human nature being what it is, we are prone to view God's blessings selfishly. seeking them for ourselves alone and even viewing God's primary purpose to be blessing us and making us happy. But God desires for His people to take on His nature and His heart and to value what He values. And He values the salvation of all people so much that He gave up His own son for that purpose. If we have this same value, we will not view His blessings selfishly but as a means of drawing all people to Him.