Psalms 67

Psalms 67:1-7

This psalm is the church’s prayer. 1. For prosperity, ver. 1. 2. For the conversion of the Gentiles, ver. 2, 3, 4, 5, 3. 3. It describes happy and glorious times when God shall do this, ver. 6, 7. And herein Daniel spoke by the spirit of prophecy, extending the glorious estate of the Christian church, in which Jesus and Gentiles should be united.

¶ To Palm LXVIII. To the chief musician on Neginooth, A pfalm or song.

1. GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us: and cause his face to shine upon us. Selah. 2. That thy way may be known upon earth, they saving health among all nations. 3. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 4. O let the nations be glad, and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and go govern the nations upon earth. Selah. 5. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 6. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God shall bless us. 7. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

David, as a lively member of the church of the redeemed, pours forth his prayers to God for their prosperity, and that defoulous event, the connoisseur of the Gentile world.

1. He prays in particular for the faithful. God be merciful unto us, and forgive and pardon us, as sinners ever need to pray, and help us; which comprehends all that we can do to think, and God less useful for us: and lift up the light of thy countenance upon us; comforting our fouls and cheating us, causing the sun of righteousness to arise with healing in his wings: and these are requests which every believer will never cease to offer for haunted and his brethren.

2. He prays for a diffusion of gospel light and grace throughout the world, that all nations might know his saving health revealed in Jesus Christ, and his way of justification through his blood and righteousness, and of identification by his spirit.

3. That in consequence thereof they might be led to praise God, as for the light and truth dispersed, to for the protection and grace promised. For thou shalt judge righteously, vindicating thy redeemed from every charge laid against them, and saving them from every enemy, and govern the nations upon earth, who shall be happy under thy safe and gentle sway. Note, (1.) The service of Christ is the perfect freedom and happiness of his people. (2.) We shall have cause to all eternity to bless the day when first our neck was bowed to his easy yoke.

4. Great he forefers will be the increase of the church, under the Divine blessing, by the preaching of the gospel. The earth, the various nations of it, shall yield a plentious harvest of converted souls; and a covenant God for ever bless his people, putting his four into their hearts, and be their everlasting confidence and joy. Note, (1.) When we can say, God is our God, we may confidently add, he shall bless us. (2.) They who are interred in his everlasting love, have the increase of earth, and every creature comfort, heightened by a sweet favour of Christ in them.