Sunday 06:03:12

Psalm 67 The whole psalm is a prayer set to song, asking for the Lord’s blessing and ascribing kingship to the Lord. vv. 1-2 “May God be gracious to us” Every interaction with God begins with his grace and mercy. When you came to God the very first time, it was initiated by God and his grace. When you first prayed asking for forgiveness, God listened out of his grace. Our whole relationship with God is based upon his grace. God marinated us in his grace. The terms of our relationship with God began and will be fulfilled in his grace alone. “and bless us” God removes the cures and judgment of the Fall. He cares for us like a father. “Make his face shine upon us” He delights in his own. He receives and cares for us with joy. “that your ways may be known” The Psalmist is asking for blessing and grace for a purpose – that others may know the goodness of the Lord through him. God’s grace and blessings are so that people may know his way. He’s not just being nice to us, He’s revealing to us his plan for salvation. He’s showing us how our relationship with him can be restored. How he can heal in us what has been broken by sin. vv. 3-5 “may the peoples praise you” The psalmist prays for other nations to see God’s goodness and praise him. This results in praise by nations. the nations will join in the praise of God. All the nations will know God’s salvation when they hear about Jesus and how he died to forgive their sin. They will respond in praise. vv. 6-7 “Our God will bless us” The psalm ends with a prayer for God’s blessings. “Our God” – He is ours, we are his. He is confident in the hope of God’s universal rule. The psalmist foresees an era in which Jews and Gentiles share in the glorious presence of God. The day is coming when all of the enemies of God are put down, when God reigns over all. God blesses us so others might come to know him, share in his blessings, and have reason to praise him. There is joy in being part of God’s work to show his grace and tell of his salvation.