Psalm 67 (NRSV)
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Verse 1May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
Verse 2that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
Verse 3Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Verse 4Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
Verse 5Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Verse 6The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.
Verse 7May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
Devotion
During one of many stressful times at seminary, I found myself complaining about even the smallest things. I finally put up a large sign in a prominent place in my room. On that sign in big, black letters were written the words “THANK YOU!” This sign was a reminder to give thanks rather than offer up complaints.
Now, a fellow member of my congregation keeps before me the need to thank God. She feels that we frequently come to God with requests, but rarely remember to offer thanksgiving and praise. Psalm 67 offers a wonderful way to ring out our praises and to pray that the world might do the same. Singing, speaking or even shouting out praise moves us out of ourselves and our limited scope of the world and redirects us toward our great God and the many blessings God gives.
Prayer
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him. Amen.