Psalm 67 1

Psalm 67:1 kjv

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

Psalm 67:1 nkjv

To the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song. God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah

Psalm 67:1 niv

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us?

Psalm 67:1 esv

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah

Psalm 67:1 nlt

May God be merciful and bless us.
May his face smile with favor on us. Interlude

Psalm 67 verses

Psalm 67 1 Meaning

Psalm 67:1 is a heartfelt communal prayer for God’s active favor, provision, and illuminating presence upon His people. It is a plea for God to act mercifully, to bestow abundant blessings, and to clearly demonstrate His approval and guidance through the warmth and light of His face. This foundational request, embodying deep dependence on the Almighty, sets the stage for the wider, missional purpose revealed in the verses that follow: that through the blessing of God’s people, all the world may come to know His salvation and His way.

Psalm 67 1 Context

Psalm 67 is a communal hymn of petition and thanksgiving, often linked to the harvest festivals of ancient Israel, particularly Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). It bridges a personal or national desire for blessing with a universal, missionary vision. The opening verse (Psa 67:1) functions as the direct petition, seeking divine favor and blessing for Israel. The following verses immediately clarify the purpose of this requested blessing: so that God's way, saving power, and glory may be known among all nations. Thus, the blessing on Israel is not for their exclusive benefit but to enable them to be a conduit for God's revelation to the whole world, highlighting a strong missional undertone that transitions from a national focus to a global outlook. Historically, Israel understood its election and blessing from God to be ultimately for the sake of blessing all families of the earth, as promised to Abraham (Gen 12:3).

Psalm 67 1 Word analysis

• May God: The Hebrew word used here is אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), a general but powerful name for God, emphasizing His sovereignty and creative power. The opening "May" implies a prayer or a strong petition, indicating a dependency on divine will.

• be gracious: The Hebrew word is חָנַן (chanan), which means to show favor, pity, or mercy; to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior. It signifies a benevolent inclination or an act of unmerited favor from a superior to an inferior. It implies providing for a need and granting a request. This word is foundational to the concept of God's grace throughout Scripture.

• to us: The pronoun emphasizes the direct recipients of this petition – the community of Israel. In the broader context of the Psalm, these blessings are meant not to terminate with "us" but to flow outward through "us."

• and bless: The Hebrew word is בָּרַךְ (barakh). This term conveys the idea of bestowing favor, prosperity, fruitfulness, well-being, and strength, encompassing both material and spiritual flourishing. Divine blessing implies an active, benevolent power from God that enriches and enables life.

• us: Reiterates the prayer for the community's flourishing.

• and make his face shine: This is a vivid, anthropomorphic expression. The Hebrew reads וְיָאֵר פָּנָיו (v'ya'er panav). Ya'er (from אוֹר, 'or') means "to give light" or "to shine." Panav (פָּנִים, panim) means "face" or "presence."

  • Significance: It signifies God's direct, benevolent attention and approval. A shining face from a ruler implies favor, delight, and acceptance. In the biblical context, it signals joy, clear guidance, and removal of any obstacle between God and His people. It is deeply connected to the Priestly Blessing in Num 6:25 and suggests not only a manifestation of divine presence but also the illumination necessary for discernment and flourishing.

• upon us: Reinforces the personal and immediate nature of the requested divine illumination and favor.

• Words-group analysis: "May God be gracious to us and bless us": This duo-petition lays the foundation. First, "graciousness" (חָנַן - chanan) asks for God's merciful disposition and favorable disposition towards us. Second, "blessing" (בָּרַךְ - barakh) asks for the tangible results of that favor – prosperity, fruitfulness, and general well-being. This sequence shows that divine favor is the source from which all blessings flow.

• Words-group analysis: "and make his face shine upon us": This is the culmination and deepest yearning of the prayer. It’s more than mere external blessings; it is a plea for the experience of God’s intimate, favorable, and guiding presence. It points to a deep, personal relationship where God's countenance illuminates their path, signifying His full approval and joyous fellowship. This phrase brings to mind the warm light of dawn after a dark night, representing security, hope, and understanding.

• "Selah": This word, common in the Psalms, is a liturgical or musical notation, indicating a pause for reflection or an instrumental interlude. It directs the reader/singer to meditate on the profound truth just expressed, emphasizing the depth and importance of the prayer for divine favor and presence.

Psalm 67 1 Bonus section

The longing for God to "make his face shine upon us" profoundly emphasizes the Israelite concept of theophany – the visible manifestation of God. It's not just a poetic expression but a deeply held hope for palpable divine presence and direct communication. The phrase encapsulates the essence of living in the covenant with God, where His very presence assures peace, prosperity, and direction. The structure of this prayer – first for grace, then for blessing, and finally for the shining face – implies a deepening intimacy and reliance on God. It suggests that while external blessings are sought, the ultimate and most cherished blessing is the direct experience of God’s favorable presence, which itself guarantees all other goods and acts as a beacon in the spiritual journey. This foundational request of Psa 67:1 is also a precursor to understanding God's ultimate desire to make His glory known not only to His chosen people but through them, to all of humanity, revealing a missional heart from the very beginning of the petition.

Psalm 67 1 Commentary

Psalm 67:1 opens with a tripartite prayer that deeply captures the heart of God’s covenant relationship with His people. It is a humble plea, seeking God’s fundamental mercy ("be gracious"), His abundant provision ("bless us"), and most intimately, His manifested, guiding presence ("make his face shine upon us"). The progression moves from divine disposition (grace) to tangible acts (blessings) to the experience of divine communion and light (shining face), implying a desire not merely for gifts but for the Giver Himself. This verse recognizes that all good, all life, and all light flow from the direct favor and radiant presence of God. It acknowledges His sovereignty as the sole source of prosperity, well-being, and clarity for navigating life’s paths. The phrase "make His face shine" encapsulates divine acceptance, favor, and revelation, assuring believers of God's watchful care and illumination for their journey, often symbolizing clear divine guidance and profound peace. This powerful request sets the stage for the universal proclamation of God’s salvation that follows in the psalm.Examples for practical usage:

• Starting a day with a prayer similar to Psa 67:1, seeking God’s favor, blessing, and guidance.
• When facing difficult decisions, asking for God’s face to shine to illuminate the path forward.
• During times of dryness or lack, petitioning God to be gracious and bless, trusting in His divine provision.