The Bible Says
Psalm 67:1-7 Meaning

When we encounter the opening of Psalm 67:17 - For the choir director; with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song. - we recognize an invitation to a collective expression of praise, likely performed in a communal worship setting. The mention of instruments points to a celebration meant to engage people’s hearts and minds in proclaiming the goodness of God through music. Although the wording does not identify a specific author, it reflects the ancient Hebrew tradition of preparing a sacred song for worship, highlighting the importance of gathering in unity to acknowledge God’s blessings.

This introductory statement also reminds us of Israel’s practice of incorporating worship into regular life, placing God at the center of art and culture. The phrase emphasizes that this is not merely a poem but a composition meant to be sung, drawing people together in reverent joy while laying a foundation for the expectant theme of blessing in the lines that follow.

In God be gracious to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us—Selah (v. 1), the psalmist opens with a plea for God’s unmerited favor. The request for God to turn His face toward His people carries the image of warm acceptance, reminiscent of the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24-26. Such a vivid expression of shining face implies both approval and intimacy as God looks upon His children.

The call for grace and blessing recognizes that every good thing comes from God. In a world often striving for self—sufficiency, this verse humbly directs us back to dependence on our Creator. It echoes the heart that yearns for a deeper relationship with the Lord, trusting Him to provide both physical and spiritual prosperity.

Adding Selah, a term that may indicate a pause or musical interlude, suggests we should pause and reflect deeply on our dependence on God. We are encouraged to linger in the truth that God’s shining favor brings abundant life, purpose, and hope for His people, a perspective that resonates with the blessings offered by Jesus when He invites all who are weary to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28).

That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations (v. 2) connects the personal request for blessing to a global purpose. The psalmist envisions the knowledge of God extending beyond Israel’s borders, grabbing the hearts of all people with the message of salvation. This idea points ahead to the New Testament, where Jesus commissions His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), reflecting the heart of God to bring redemption to the entire world.

The verse reminds us that blessings are never meant for a single group to hoard; instead, they serve as a conduit for God’s mercy, so all may come to know Him. Such a worldview underscores a generous spirit in the people of God, whereby the desire for a personal encounter with the Divine should naturally lead to sharing that saving grace with others.

Walking in God’s ways contrasts with following human understanding alone. The psalmist implores that as we understand and experience God’s kindness, we would broadcast the truth of His salvation. That unifying message of God’s redemptive plan weaves throughout Scripture, always pointing to the grace that welcomes every tribe and tongue into His covenant family.

With the exclamation Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You (v. 3), the psalmist lifts a corporate anthem urging all humanity to worship the one true God. Rather than restricting worship to a small circle, it is an open—ended call that finds its culmination in the vision of every nation, tribe, and people worshiping before the throne (Revelation 7:9).

This repeated line underscores the universality of God’s dominion and reveals the psalmist’s conviction that everyone is invited to glorify the Lord. Authentic praise unites voices from different cultures, languages, and customs in a single chorus of worship, reinforcing the idea that salvation and worship are meant to be shared glories.

Additionally, such praise conveys more than words alone; it reflects lives lived in gratitude and obedience. Through heartfelt worship, believers find unity in purpose, celebrating the God who transcends boundaries and whose love reaches every corner of the earth.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For You will judge the peoples with uprightness And guide the nations on the earth. Selah (v. 4) adds a declaration of God’s righteous rule across the globe. The peoples’ joy springs from an assurance of His fair and impartial governance — a message of hope in times when human judgment often fails.

This verse testifies that God’s kingship is marked by unwavering justice and gentle guidance. The psalmist reminds us that while earthly rulers may falter, the divine sovereign addresses injustice thoroughly and shepherds His creation with care. In the New Testament, Jesus assures that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him, reinforcing the idea that final judgment and lasting guidance stem from God’s perfect leadership (Matthew 28:18).

Again, we see Selah, a prompting to pause and reflect on the trustworthiness of God’s righteous deeds. Contemplating this upright rule should provoke awe and gratitude, leading every nation to exalt the Lord. With God’s protective oversight, the psalmist confidently invites all peoples to find their true security in His sovereign presence.

Revisiting adoration in Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You (v. 5), the psalm not only emphasizes worship but also reveals the centrality of praise for every person. In unison, we see a reaffirmation that no one is exempt from the privilege of venerating the Lord.

This recurring statement deepens our understanding that humanity’s response to God should be vocal, communal, and joyful. As hearts unite under His authority, diversity of background or lineage melts away, and a single hymn of gratitude arises, symbolizing that God alone can unify a fractured world under His loving reign.

When His people come together in praise, they embody the type of community Jesus prayed for — one reflective of the Father’s own harmony, bringing a foretaste of heaven's eternal worship into our present reality (John 17:21-23). The invitation remains open for all to participate, echoing the call to yield to God’s gracious rule.

In The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us (v. 6), the psalmist points to tangible evidence of God’s provision. The agricultural references reflect the agrarian context of ancient Israel, where a fruitful harvest signified divine favor. Recognizing God as the ultimate source of abundance, the people celebrate the harvest as a direct sign of His blessing.

By declaring God as our God, the psalmist personalizes the relationship, linking abundance to the covenant bond God established with His people through the ages. This resonates with the broader biblical storyline, in which blessings are a reminder of God’s steadfast commitment to nurture those who trust in Him.

Beyond merely reaping immediate benefits, the produce of the earth symbolizes God’s faithfulness to sustain life. In Matthew 6:25-33, Jesus teaches that the same God who clothes the flowers of the field also cares for His children, encouraging believers to look with confidence toward their Provider, just as the psalmist does here (to learn more about Jesus’ teaching on trusting God rather than worrying about material needs, see our commentary for Matthew 6:25—32 and Matthew 6:33).

God blesses us, That all the ends of the earth may fear Him (v. 7) moves the focus outward again, tying God’s generous favor to a broader mission: that the world might stand in reverent awe of Him. The word fear, in biblical contexts, involves reverential respect, recognizing the majesty and holiness of God.

This reminder anchors every blessing in the reality that God’s ultimate desire is to see multitudes come to a reverent knowledge of Him. Panic or dread is not in view, but rather a soul—stirring wonder that transforms hearts. The psalmist’s confident statement shows that blessings invite a response of genuine worship, rather than selfish focus.

As this psalm concludes, we’re left contemplating the global call to worship the Almighty. All the earth is summoned to lay aside illusions of self—sufficiency and look toward the gracious King who provides and saves, echoing the qualities Jesus embodied and taught His followers to spread across every land.