Psalms 67 Devotions
by Pastor Mark Hudson
This is a passage that is easy to understand and yet easy to overlook. This Psalm is fairly easy to see an outline or the division of sections. If you don’t have a favorite Psalm this could be the one. In seven verses, we see the passion of a person who loves God and wants everyone to love him.
This is one of John Stott’s favorite Psalms. Stott claims there are two reasons to ask God to bless us: The Knowledge of God v. 1-2; The Worship of God vs. 3-5. But however you decide to organize the Psalm, you will observe some key words: bless: 1, 6,7; nations or peoples: 2, 3, 4, 5; earth: 2, 4, 6, 7; praise: 3, 5.
First, the Psalmist asks God to bless us. So this is a corporate desire for God to bless. Odd that someone asks God to bless him/her? Not if you understand how God loves to bless His people. God first blesses people in Genesis 1. God is already blessing His creation in Gen 1:22 and soon after the creation of man and woman, He blesses them in v. 28. Skipping ahead to Gen. 12:2-3, God is telling Abram that he will bless him and that God will bless the families of the earth through Abraham. This is long before the great commission or any benediction in the New Testament. God is serious about blessing His people. From the Aaronic blessing (Num 6:24-26) to Rev. 22:21, God blesses His people. This blessing is both spiritual and tangible v. 6.
Why does the author of Psalm 67 want God’s blessings? In v. 2, “that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.” These words: nations, peoples, on earth or ends of the earth all refer to people that do not know God, His word, or His ways. This desire is for those who do not grow up with God and His ways to know Him and His saving power and to be glad in God. The Psalmist even prays that the peoples would praise God for judging people in v. 4. The Psalmist is not praying for more parties, laughing over trivial things, or being happy in the things of this world (a better tent, a new camel, more sheep, etc.). He wants the nations to praise God, the One and only true God.
Notice vs. 3 and 5. This is a person who wants non-believers to be as happy as they can possibly be and that happiness can only be realized when people know (v. 2) and praise God (vs. 3, 5). This is a person who would want their son and daughter to be, not a doctor or a lawyer, but a missionary. This is a person who gives generously to missions. This is a person who when earning more money does not buy another toy or enlarge her home but gives to reach the unreached.
This is a person who does not look down on people from other cultures but is fascinated by and respects other languages and cultural expressions. This type of individual does not want Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists ignored; she wants to lay down her life for them so they will find their deepest satisfaction in Christ. She seeks God’s blessings so others will be blessed.
If you are like the Psalmist you long for God’s glory to be known and loved. You cringe when people use God’s name in vain. You ache over the world as they pursue lies, foolish endeavors, and demonstrate ignorance of the things of the gospel. You look for creative ways to spread the gospel.
For those who think this way they might say the following:
“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot
“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” — C.T. Studd
“Oh, that I could spend every moment of my life to God’s glory!” — David Brainerd
“If I had 1,000 lives, I’d give them all for China” — Hudson Taylor
“The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.” — Henry Martyn
“Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell.” — C.T. Studd
“Let my heart be broken with the things that break God’s heart” — Bob Pierce, World Vision founder.
Father, I think too little of your great concern – the gospel to those who have never heard and I think too much about my life: what I would like, what I do not have, what others have compared to me. Help me to long for the nation’s joy. May you stir up my soul so my deepest and most heartfelt prayer is, “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy.” In Christ’s name, Amen.