Christianity

Psalms 67Let All the Peoples Praise Thee

Summary

Psalm 67 is a short prayer that echoes the priestly blessing of Numbers 6, asking God to be gracious, bless his people and make his face shine on them. The purpose is that God's way be known on earth and his salvation among all nations. A refrain calls all peoples to praise God, who judges them justly and guides the nations. It ends noting that the earth has yielded its harvest, so all its ends will fear God.

Key verse

“God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.”

Psalms 67:1

Themes

Blessing
Nations
Harvest
God's Face Shining

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.

God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Judaism
Numbers: The Priestly Blessing (Tanakh)
Numbers 6:24 to 26 contains the blessing The LORD bless thee, and keep thee, which Psalm 67:1 echoes and widens from Israel to all the nations.
Judaism
Tehillim 67 in the JPS 1917 Tanakh
Many Jewish communities recite this psalm after counting the Omer between Passover and Shavuot, and some print it in the shape of the temple menorah.

Questions about Psalms 67

How does Psalm 67 relate to the priestly blessing?

Its opening asks God to be merciful, bless and shine his face on his people, closely following Numbers 6:24 to 26, then extends the blessing so the nations will know God.

Where is Psalm 67 used in Christian worship?

In the Anglican Book of Common Prayer it is an optional canticle at Evening Prayer, known by its Latin opening Deus misereatur.