King James Version
Psalms 67
7 verses with commentary
May God Be Gracious to Us
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song. God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. upon: Heb. with
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.</strong> This opening prayer draws heavily from the Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:24-26), requesting divine favor that extends beyond Israel to all nations. "God be merciful" (<em>Elohim yechanenu</em>, אֱלֹהִים יְחָנֵּנוּ) uses the verb <em>chanan</em> (חָנַן), meaning to be gracious, show favor, have mercy. ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) This verse is an adaptation of the priestly benediction (Numbers 6:24-26).
**Upon us.**—Rather, *with, *or *among *us; a variation from the formal benediction.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8. Whether, as most likely, the language of David (compare Psa 51:13), or that of God, this is a promise of divine guidance.
**I will ... mine eye--**or, My eye shall be on thee, watching and directing thy way.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 67
A prayer for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom.
--All our happiness comes from God's mercy; therefore the first thing prayed for is, God be merciful to us, to us sinners, and pardon our sins. Pardon is conveyed by God's blessing, and secured in that. If we, by faith, walk with God, we may hope that his face will shine on us. The psalmist passes on to a prayer for the conversion ...
Read full commentary →That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.</strong> This verse reveals the missional purpose behind the blessing requested in verse 1. The word "That" (<em>lada'at</em>, לָדַעַת) indicates purpose or result: "in order that, so that." Israel doesn't request blessing for selfish enjoyment but as instrumental means to accomplish God's global purposes. This esta...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Saving health.**—The Hebrew word is that generally rendered “salvation,” but often better rendered “help,” or “deliverance.” By “health” the translators meant “healing power,” as in Shakespeare, *King John, *Act V., Scene 2:—
“For the health and physick of our right.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
9. The latter clause, more literally, "in that they come not near thee"; that is, because they will not come, &c., unless forced by bit and bridle.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 67
A prayer for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom.
--All our happiness comes from God's mercy; therefore the first thing prayed for is, God be merciful to us, to us sinners, and pardon our sins. Pardon is conveyed by God's blessing, and secured in that. If we, by faith, walk with God, we may hope that his face will shine on us. The psalmist passes on to a prayer for the conversion ...
Read full commentary →Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
The refrain 'Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee' emphasizes universal worship as God's ultimate purpose for creation. The repetition underscores urgency and comprehensiveness—not some peoples, but ALL peoples. This anticipates the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and Revelation's vision of every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping the Lamb. God's glory among all nat...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3)**Praise.**—Better, *give thanks.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
10. The sorrows of the impenitent contrasted with the peace and safety secured by God's mercy.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 67
A prayer for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom.
--All our happiness comes from God's mercy; therefore the first thing prayed for is, God be merciful to us, to us sinners, and pardon our sins. Pardon is conveyed by God's blessing, and secured in that. If we, by faith, walk with God, we may hope that his face will shine on us. The psalmist passes on to a prayer for the conversion ...
Read full commentary →O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. govern: Heb. lead
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KJV Study Commentary
The call for nations to 'be glad and sing for joy' grounds joy in God's character as righteous judge and shepherd. 'Thou shalt judge the people righteously' promises impartial justice—God shows no favoritism based on nationality, wealth, or status (Deuteronomy 10:17). 'Govern the nations upon earth' asserts God's sovereign rule over all political powers. This provides comfort to the oppressed and ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **For thou shalt judge:**—Better, *for thou judgest.*
**And govern. . . .**—Better, *and dost lead. *The word is used in Psalm 23:3 of the “pastoral” care of God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11. The righteous and upright, or those conforming to the divine teaching for securing the divine blessing, may well rejoice with shouting.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 67
A prayer for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom.
--All our happiness comes from God's mercy; therefore the first thing prayed for is, God be merciful to us, to us sinners, and pardon our sins. Pardon is conveyed by God's blessing, and secured in that. If we, by faith, walk with God, we may hope that his face will shine on us. The psalmist passes on to a prayer for the conversion ...
Read full commentary →Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
The repetition of this refrain (identical to verse 3) serves as liturgical emphasis, inviting congregational response. In Hebrew poetry, repetition intensifies meaning rather than merely restating it. This pattern creates a rhythm of prayer (blessing, vv. 1-2), theology (God's character, v. 4), and doxology (praise, vv. 3, 5). The structure teaches that right doctrine leads to right worship—unders...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 67
A prayer for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom.
--All our happiness comes from God's mercy; therefore the first thing prayed for is, God be merciful to us, to us sinners, and pardon our sins. Pardon is conveyed by God's blessing, and secured in that. If we, by faith, walk with God, we may hope that his face will shine on us. The psalmist passes on to a prayer for the conversion ...
Read full commentary →Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.</strong> This verse connects divine blessing with agricultural prosperity, linking spiritual realities to physical provision. "Then" (<em>az</em>, אָז) indicates temporal sequence or logical consequence—after the conditions described in previous verses are met (nations praising God, peoples being glad), the...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Then shall the earth yield her increase.**—It seems more in keeping with the expression of thanks to render here with the LXX. and Vulg., “The land hath yielded her increase.”
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 33 Psa 33:1-22. A call to lively and joyous praise to God for His glorious attributes and works, as displayed in creation, and His general and special providence, in view of which, the Psalmist, for all the pious, professes trust and joy and invokes God's mercy.
1-3. The sentiment falls in with Psa 32:11 (compare 1Co 14:15). The instruments (Psa 92:3; 144:9) do not exclude the voice.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 67
A prayer for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom.
--All our happiness comes from God's mercy; therefore the first thing prayed for is, God be merciful to us, to us sinners, and pardon our sins. Pardon is conveyed by God's blessing, and secured in that. If we, by faith, walk with God, we may hope that his face will shine on us. The psalmist passes on to a prayer for the conversion ...
Read full commentary →God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.</strong> This concluding verse summarizes the psalm's dual themes: divine blessing and universal worship. The repetition of "God shall bless us" (also in v.6) emphasizes certainty. What was prayed for in verse 1 ("God be merciful unto us, and bless us") is now confidently affirmed—God will bless, shall bless, certainly bless...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 33 Psa 33:1-22. A call to lively and joyous praise to God for His glorious attributes and works, as displayed in creation, and His general and special providence, in view of which, the Psalmist, for all the pious, professes trust and joy and invokes God's mercy.
1-3. The sentiment falls in with Psa 32:11 (compare 1Co 14:15). The instruments (Psa 92:3; 144:9) do not exclude the voice.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 67
A prayer for the enlargement of Christ's kingdom.
--All our happiness comes from God's mercy; therefore the first thing prayed for is, God be merciful to us, to us sinners, and pardon our sins. Pardon is conveyed by God's blessing, and secured in that. If we, by faith, walk with God, we may hope that his face will shine on us. The psalmist passes on to a prayer for the conversion ...
Read full commentary →