PSALM 67 - GOD'S GRACE, HIS SALVATION & HIS PRAISES

GOD'S GRACE, HIS SALVATION & HIS PRAISES - Read Psalm 67

This is a Psalm of David written for the Chief Musician, who in a Spiritual sense could be God Himself. In a practical sense it was for the leaders of David's choirs, Hemor and Asaph. Beginning with the Aaronic Blessing, it was pronounced by the High Priests on the people of Israel. This blessing - GOD'S GRACE - is also for us today.

"The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

To 'BLESS AND KEEP YOU', simply means to watch over you and give you the good things you need. 'BEING GRACIOUS' means to be `kind' and forgiving when 'you don't have to be' or don't feel like it. When 'GOD MAKES HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU', He is gracious and blessed. He is happy, `with a big smile on His face'. (Gordon Churchyard, 2001)

But this graciousness and blessedness did not stay with the Israelites, it went out to the whole world, along with His goodness through SALVATION, which is also available to us today. David knew God's mercy and grace, and he wanted all His people to know it. As Max Lucado reminds us: "His grace erases guilt, His oversight removes fear, His direction removes confusion."

"Next time your day goes South, here is what you do. Step yourself into the grace of God. Saturate your day in His love. Marinate your mind in His mercy." Max Lucado, 2006. 

David had even a bigger vision - He wanted God glorious, happy face to shine all over the world, and he wanted the PRAISES OF THE LORD to be heard.

"There is something wonderful about a lot of people praising God, and our walk with God is incomplete until we are praising Him." David Guzik, 2018

What does real joy mean? It is a happiness you feel deep, down inside. God does many things that show His power and this inner joy leads to an "inner awe - a good sort of fear of God" (Gordon Churchyard, 2001) All nations should sing with this inner joy and awe, and this should make us even more excited and determined to live in God's grace and to tell others about His salvation - "more passionate about spreading the Gospel". (David Guzik, 2018)

"May the people praise you, O Lord. May all the people praise you." Psalm 67:3&5  (NIV)

This psalm was written in harvest time, probably for the Harvest Festival. The abundance of their harvest, their food and also their children and families was another reason the Israelites had for praising the Lord. It is also another reason we can continue with our praises.

"God created us to experience HIS GRACE and  HIS SALVATION and to consequently enjoy HIS PRAISE. When we do this, the earth itself is happy because people are doing what God created it to do. BLESSING IS THE RESULT!" David Guzik, 2018


The Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011, Biblica

Churchyard, Gordon, 2001,"Psalm 67 - The Whole World for Jesus", www.easyenglishbible. 

Guzik, David, 2018, "A Missionary Prayer", www.blueletterbible.

Lucado, Max, 2006, "Everyday Deserves a Chance", Thomas Nelson Inc.