Psalm 67 3

Psalm 67:3 kjv

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Psalm 67:3 nkjv

Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You.

Psalm 67:3 niv

May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.

Psalm 67:3 esv

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

Psalm 67:3 nlt

May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise you.

Psalm 67 verses

Psalm 67 3 Meaning

Psalm 67:3 is a fervent prayer and universal summons for all nations to acknowledge and offer worship to the One True God. It expresses a divine yearning for God's praise to extend beyond Israel, encompassing every distinct people group on earth. This verse emphasizes God's rightful claim to universal adoration, stemming from His character, power, and benevolent actions towards all humanity, which is particularly demonstrated through His saving light mentioned in preceding verses.

Psalm 67 3 Context

Psalm 67 is a communal song of thanksgiving and prayer, traditionally associated with the harvest festival, where the people sought God's blessing. The preceding verses (67:1-2) explicitly lay the foundation: the request for God's blessing upon Israel is not solely for their benefit but for a specific purpose—that His way and salvation might become known among "all the nations." Thus, Psalm 67:3 serves as both a prayer and a confident declaration rooted in this understanding of God's universal redemptive plan. The Psalm presents a worldview where God's favor to His covenant people, Israel, is a means to display His glory and draw all humanity to Himself.

Psalm 67 3 Word analysis

• "Let" (from יֵדֽוּךָ yodukha): From the Hiphil imperfect of יָדָה (yadah), meaning "to praise," "to confess," "to give thanks." The imperfect tense used here functions as a jussive, expressing a strong desire, command, or plea: "Let them praise" or "They shall praise." It's an active, volitional acknowledgment and declaration of God's goodness and power. Significance: This is a powerful, intentional call for active, open, and public worship, not passive recognition.
• "the peoples" (עַמִּים ammim): Plural of עַם (am), typically refers to a specific, defined group or "nation." When used in the plural with reference to God's plan, as here, it signifies the various distinct Gentile nations of the world, distinguishing them from Israel, God's special עַם. Significance: Crucially broadens the scope of God's salvific interest beyond the Abrahamic covenant line, emphasizing His universal reach and purpose for all of humanity. It also counters the ethnocentric belief that God is solely the God of Israel.
• "praise you" (יֵדֽוּךָ yodukha): This phrase is a repetition of the earlier word "Let" derived from the same root יָדָה, specifically meaning "praise you." It implies giving glory and honor to God through vocal or demonstrated adoration. Significance: This is the core action desired, an act of homage and thanksgiving due to God's majesty and grace.
• "O God" (אֱלֹהִים Elohim): The generic but foundational Hebrew name for God. Its plural form hints at His majestic nature (plural of majesty), but it consistently refers to the singular, transcendent, sovereign Creator God. Significance: It affirms that the One God of Israel is the object of this universal praise, challenging the worship of other local or national deities. He is the ultimate, unrivaled deity for all peoples.
• "let all" (וְכָל־ vekol-): וְ (ve) is "and" or "even," and כָּל (kol) means "all," "every," "the whole." This construction significantly intensifies the universal scope. Significance: It leaves no people group unaddressed, demanding a truly global acknowledgment of God.
• "the peoples" (אֻמִּים ummim): Plural of אֻמָּה (ummah), another term for "nations" or "peoples," often used to denote distinct ethnic or tribal groups. Its use alongside עַמִּים reinforces the comprehensive nature of the call, emphasizing every single division and segment of humanity. Significance: The employment of two distinct but complementary words for "peoples" amplifies the universal intention, ensuring the message reaches every corner of human existence.
• Words-group Analysis (Repetition): The repetition of "Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!" is a powerful rhetorical device. This epanadiplosis or anadiplosis intensifies the psalmist's longing, urgency, and confident expectation for this global praise. It stresses the profound and absolute necessity of universal worship, doubling down on the universal call to adoration. It implies that this outcome is both highly desired and ultimately assured because of God's nature and plans.

Psalm 67 3 Bonus section

The Hebrew parallelism employed in this verse, where "the peoples" is paralleled with "all the peoples," and the direct address "praise you, O God," highlights the complete and comprehensive nature of the desired global praise. The vision in Psalm 67 is remarkable for its era, extending beyond a mere request for national prosperity to an ardent desire for God's glory to fill the entire earth, thus laying groundwork for a global gospel. This Psalm embodies a prophetic foresight, envisioning a future reality where ethnic and national distinctions will contribute to, rather than hinder, the grand symphony of universal praise directed toward the One God. This eschatological dimension suggests the ultimate fulfillment will be witnessed when the kingdom of God is fully established over all creation, and all knees bow and all tongues confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10-11).

Psalm 67 3 Commentary

Psalm 67:3 acts as the passionate core of the Psalm's missionary vision. It transcends Israel's immediate concerns to articulate God's ultimate desire for universal acknowledgment and worship. This is not merely a wish but a deep theological statement rooted in God's universal sovereignty and redemptive heart. The psalmist understands that divine blessing on Israel (as per Ps 67:1-2) is not an end in itself but a means by which God's saving power and glorious character are demonstrated to the world. Therefore, the prayer "Let the peoples praise You" is an anticipation of the proper, worldwide response to God's revealed glory and grace. This verse inherently counters any ethnocentric view of God, presenting Him as the God of all humanity who actively seeks the adoration of every nation. It aligns divine blessing on one people with the universal revelation of God's glory, leading to worship from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Practically, this verse calls believers to participate in making God's glory known to the ends of the earth, embodying God's desire for global praise. For example, local church evangelism or sending missionaries abroad both exemplify fulfilling this vision.