Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2628 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we’re embarking on a radiant trek through Psalm 67 in the New Living Translation.

This psalm is a beautiful and concise prayer and song of praise, brimming with hope for God’s blessing to extend far beyond the borders of one nation and encompass the entire world. It’s a vision that was truly revolutionary in the ancient world, where most people believed in tribal or national gods. The Israelites, however, had a God whose plan from the beginning involved the blessing of all peoples on earth.

Psalm 67 is closely linked to the ancient Aaronic blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26, a blessing that was a cornerstone of Israelite worship and a powerful declaration of God’s favor and protection. As we explore these verses, we’ll see how the psalmist expands on this priestly blessing, envisioning its impact reaching the farthest corners of the globe.

Let’s begin our trek by reading the first two verses of Psalm 67:

Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm opens with a prayer that would have been instantly recognizable to any Israelite: “May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us.” This echoes the ancient priestly blessing. “May God be merciful” acknowledges their dependence on God’s grace and compassion. It’s a recognition that any blessing they receive is not earned, but flows from God’s character.

The phrase, “May his face smile with favor on us,” is a rich and powerful image in the ancient Near East. In many cultures, the king’s face symbolized his disposition towards his subjects. A frowning or hidden face could indicate displeasure or rejection, while a smiling or shining face conveyed favor, acceptance, and warmth. For God’s face to “smile with favor” on His people meant they were experiencing His approval, His presence, and His active goodness in their lives. It was a desire for tangible evidence of God’s blessing – prosperity, protection, peace, and fruitfulness.

Think about the feeling of someone you admire deeply looking at you with warmth and approval. It’s uplifting, affirming, and empowering. How much more so is it when the Creator of the universe, the King of all kings, looks upon you with favor? For an Israelite, this was the ultimate source of security and well-being.

The “Interlude” here, like the “Selah” in Psalm 66, likely indicates a pause for reflection or a musical transition. It’s a moment to absorb the weight of this prayer for divine blessing and favor.

But the psalmist doesn’t stop with a prayer solely for the blessing of Israel. The very next verses reveal the profound purpose behind this request: “May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere.” This is where the psalm’s vision expands dramatically. The blessing on Israel is not an end in itself; it is a means to a glorious, global end.

The prayer is that God’s “ways” – His character, His truth, His commandments, His methods of dealing with humanity – would become known “throughout the earth.” This wasn’t just about geographical knowledge; it was about experiential knowledge, a deep understanding of who God is and how He acts. And alongside His ways, the psalmist prays for His “saving power” to be known “among people everywhere,” among “all nations.”

For the ancient Israelite, this “saving power” would have primarily referred to God’s acts of deliverance, His ability to rescue His people from their enemies and from impossible situations. They had experienced this saving power firsthand in the Exodus, the conquest of Canaan, and countless times throughout their history. The psalmist’s prayer is that this same power, this ability of God to save and deliver, would be revealed to all the nations of the world.

Consider the weight of this prayer in its original context. Israel was a relatively small nation, often surrounded by powerful and hostile empires who worshiped other gods. Yet, this psalm expresses a confident hope that the God of Israel would reveal Himself to all these nations, and that His saving power would be evident to “people everywhere.” This was a bold declaration of God’s universal sovereignty and His desire for all humanity to know Him.

The blessing on Israel, therefore, had a missional purpose baked into it from the beginning. God blessed Israel not just for their own comfort and security, but so that they could be a light to the nations, a tangible demonstration of God’s goodness and power that would draw others to Him. Their prosperity, their peace, their very existence as a nation, was intended to point the rest of the world to the one true God.

Let’s continue with verses 3 through 5:

Guthrie Chamberlain: The prayer for God’s ways and saving power to be known is immediately followed by a fervent desire for universal praise: “May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.” This is the hoped-for response to God’s self-revelation. When the nations see God’s ways and His saving power, the psalmist anticipates that their natural and proper response will be to offer Him praise.

This is not a forced or coerced praise, but a willing and joyful adoration. The psalmist envisions the “whole world sing[ing] for joy.” Why such joy? “because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world.”

In the ancient world, the governance of nations was often characterized by injustice, oppression, and the arbitrary exercise of power by earthly rulers. The idea of a divine being who governs all nations with perfect justice and actively guides all the people of the world would have been a source of immense hope and longing for those who suffered under tyrannical regimes.

The psalmist’s vision is of a world where God’s righteous rule is recognized and celebrated. His governance is characterized by “justice” – fairness, equity, and righteousness. And He “guides the people of the whole world,” not in a manipulative or controlling way, but offering direction, wisdom, and a path towards flourishing.

This vision of God’s just global governance is a cause for universal rejoicing. It speaks to a deep human longing for fairness and order in the world. When God’s reign is fully realized, there will be no more oppression, no more injustice, but a world living in harmony under His benevolent rule. This is something that all humanity, regardless of their background, can ultimately find joy in.

The repetition of the plea, “May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you,” emphasizes the psalmist’s passionate desire for this to happen. It’s a refrain, a central theme that he returns to, underscoring the importance of global worship in God’s plan. This wasn’t a common theme in ancient literature; it speaks to the unique, universal scope of God’s redemptive purposes revealed in the Scriptures.

And once again, an “Interlude.” Pause. Reflect on the magnitude of this vision: a world united in joyful praise of the God who governs with perfect justice. What a powerful hope!

Finally, let’s look at verses 6 and 7:

Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist now connects the universal praise of God to tangible blessings, particularly to agricultural abundance: “Then the earth will yield its harvests.” In an agrarian society like ancient Israel, a bountiful harvest was a direct sign of God’s favor and blessing. Their lives were intimately tied to the cycles of nature, and the fertility of the land was essential for their survival and prosperity.

The “then” is significant. It suggests a cause-and-effect relationship. When God’s ways and saving power are known among the nations, and when all the nations respond with joyful praise to His just governance, then the earth will respond by yielding its full increase. This isn’t just a literal promise of good crops, though it certainly includes that. It also speaks to a broader sense of flourishing and well-being that comes when humanity aligns itself with God’s purposes. When God is honored globally, the created order itself benefits, reflecting the harmony that God intended for His creation.

And as a result of this, “God, our God, will richly bless us.” The blessing returns to God’s people, but now within the context of a world that knows and praises Him. This blessing is described as “richly,” implying an overflowing abundance. It’s a promise of God’s continued favor and provision for those who are in relationship with Him.

The psalm concludes with a powerful statement that reiterates the theme of universal impact: “Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him.” The blessing on God’s people is reaffirmed, and its ultimate purpose is once again highlighted – that “people all over the world will fear him.”

This “fear” is not a cowering terror, but a reverential awe and respect that leads to worship and obedience. It is the recognition of God’s power, holiness, and authority, prompting humanity to respond with humility and adoration. The vision is of a world that acknowledges God as the one true sovereign, the source of all blessing and justice.

Psalm 67, in its few verses, paints a breathtaking picture of God’s global plan. It moves from a specific prayer for Israel’s blessing to a grand vision of all nations knowing God’s ways and saving power, leading to universal joyful praise of His just governance, resulting in earthly flourishing and ultimately, the reverent fear of God by people all over the world.

What can we take away from this powerful psalm on our Wisdom-Trek today?

Firstly, it reminds us that God’s heart is for all people. His plan of salvation has always had a global scope. As His followers today, we are called to share in that vision and participate in making His ways and saving power known throughout the earth. Our own blessings are not just for our benefit, but are meant to be a testimony to the world.

Secondly, it highlights the connection between recognizing God’s just rule and experiencing joy. When we truly understand that God is in control, governing with perfect justice and guiding the affairs of the world, it can bring a deep sense of peace and joy, even amidst the chaos we see around us.

Thirdly, it links our worship and God’s blessing to the flourishing of creation. While we await the full restoration of all things, the psalm suggests that as humanity aligns itself with God and offers Him due praise, there is a positive impact on the world around us.

Finally, it calls us to pray with a global perspective. Our prayers should not be limited to our own needs or concerns, or even just to our own communities. We should pray for God’s ways to be known, for His saving power to be revealed, and for all the nations to praise Him and fear Him.

Let us embrace the expansive vision of Psalm 67 and pray with expectation for the day when the earth is indeed filled with the knowledge of God’s glory as the waters cover the sea.

Guthrie Chamberlain: Thank you for joining me on this inspiring trek through Psalm 67. I trust that this psalm has filled you with hope and a greater vision for God’s work in the world. Join me again next time for another segment of Wisdom-Trek, where we continue to uncover the treasures of wisdom for our life’s journey.

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Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!