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May God Cause His Face to Shine upon Us
Psalm 67 is a prayer-song asking God for mercy and blessing, then turning that request outward. It connects God’s kindness to worldwide knowledge of his way, joyful praise, and a closing picture of the whole earth responding to him.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this psalm, the speaker asks God to be merciful, to bless, and to cause his face to shine on “us”. The song then calls the peoples to praise God, says the nations may rejoice because he judges with equity, and ends with blessing and the earth’s increase.
Psalms 67:1–7Main takeaway
This psalm ties God’s blessing to his way, salvation, praise, and just rule being recognised among all peoples.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A prayer for mercy and blessingThe psalm opens with a request: “May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us.”
Explanation
The psalm opens with a request: “May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us.” The language is poetic and speaks of God’s favour. The prayer begins with need and dependence, asking God himself to act kindly toward “us”.
02Blessing that points beyond usVerse 2 gives the purpose of the request: “That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations.”
Explanation
Verse 2 gives the purpose of the request: “That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations.” The prayer is not only about receiving good things. It looks outward, asking for God’s blessing so his way and salvation become known far beyond the speakers.
03A repeated call for all peoples to praiseThe song says twice, “Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.” This repetition highlights the psalm’s main response to God.
Explanation
The song says twice, “Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.” This repetition highlights the psalm’s main response to God. Praise is not described as belonging to only one group. The repeated words widen the call to “all the peoples”.
04Glad nations under God’s fair ruleThe nations are told to be glad and sing for joy because God “will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth”.
Explanation
The nations are told to be glad and sing for joy because God “will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth”. Their joy is linked to God’s character as ruler and judge. “Equity” shows that his judgment is fair and upright.
05Earth’s increase and the psalm’s closing hopeThe ending joins present provision with future blessing: “The earth has yielded its increase” and “God will bless us.”
Explanation
The ending joins present provision with future blessing: “The earth has yielded its increase” and “God will bless us.” Then the horizon stretches outward again: “All the ends of the earth shall fear him.” In this closing line, “fear” can be read as a response of honour or reverence toward God.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reason does the psalm give for asking God to bless and shine on “us”?
Follow the link between the request in verse 1 and the purpose introduced by “That” in verse 2.
02Which line is repeated, and what does that repetition show is central in this psalm?
Look for the exact sentence that appears in both verse 3 and verse 5.
03Why are the nations called to be glad and sing for joy?
Base your answer on what verse 4 says about God’s judging and governing.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 67:1–7
1May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. Selah.
2That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations,
3let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.
4Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Selah.
5Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.
6The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us.
7God will bless us. All the ends of the earth shall fear him.