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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 67:1-7

The composition of this psalm is such as denotes the penman's affections to have been very warm and lively, by which spirit of devotion he was elevated to receive the spirit of prophecy concerning the enlargement of God's kingdom. I. He begins with a prayer for the welfare and prosperity of the church then in being, in the happiness of which he should share, and think himself happy, Ps. 67:1. Our Saviour, in teaching us to say, Our Father, has intimated that we ought to pray with and for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 67:1

God be merciful unto us, and bless us ,.... That is, God, of his unmerited mercy, of his rich grace and free favour, bless us with the coming of his Son, the promised seed, in whom all nations are to be blessed; and with the blessings of peace, pardon, and righteousness in him; all which with him spring from the tender mercy of God, the riches of his grace, and his great love; than which nothing could be more desirable to the Old Testament saints, who were shut up under the law, until faith... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 67:1

God be merciful unto us - Show the Jewish people thy mercy, bless them in their bodies and souls and give a full evidence of thy approbation. This is nearly the same form of blessing as that used Numbers 6:25 ; (note), where see the notes. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 67:1

Verse 1 1God be merciful unto us, and bless us The psalm contains a prediction of Christ’s kingdom, under which the whole world was to be adopted into a privileged relationship with God; but the Psalmist begins by praying for the Divine blessing, particularly upon the Jews. They were the first-born, (Exodus 4:22,) and the blessing was to terminate upon them first, and then go out to all the surrounding nations. I have used the imperative mood throughout the psalm, as other translators have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 67:1

God be merciful unto us, and bless us. An echo of the priestly blessing ( Numbers 6:24 , Numbers 6:25 ), but not necessarily uttered by a priest. The substitution of Elohim for Jehovah is natural, considering the universalist character of the psalm. And cause his face to shine upon us; literally, with us . "With us" especially, as the people of God; but not "with us" exclusively, as the whole psalm makes manifest. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 67:1-2

God be merciful, etc. No wonder this beautiful little psalm has been enshrined so prominently in the worship of the Christian Church. Its most remarkable character is its world wide breadth of sympathy, hope, and prayer. It is like a beam from the unrisen sun of Christianity. The more one studies the intense narrow national sentiment of the Jews, the more plain is it that strains like these could be inspired only by the Spirit of God. The psalm is Hebrew of the Hebrews—sung probably for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 67:1-7

This is a song of salvation. It teaches that— I. SALVATION IS FROM GOD . Hence God's mercy is specially invoked. It is as God causes his face to shine upon us in Christ Jesus ( 2 Corinthians 4:6 ) that his "way" is made known, and his "salvation" enjoyed ( Psalms 67:1 , Psalms 67:2 ). II. SALVATION IS THE HIGHEST BLESSING FOR MAN . When the high priest blessed the people, he spoke for God ( Numbers 6:22-27 ). Salvation is "saving health." Man is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 67:1-7

A missionary psalm. The psalmist prays "that the favour of God towards the chosen people may become visible, in order that, by its splendour, it may lead the heathen to the hope of sharing in it." The salvation of the heathen is here felt to depend upon the following conditions:— I. THE SALVATION OF THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE HIS CHURCH . ( Psalms 67:1 , Psalms 67:2 .) If it is God's "way" to save any, he must be able and willing to save all. And if his face... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 67:1

God be merciful unto us, and bless us - There is, perhaps (as Prof. Alexander suggests), an allusion, in the language used here, to the sacerdotal benediction in Numbers 6:24-26 : “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” The prayer is that God would bestow upon his people the blessing implied in the form of benediction which he had directed the ministers of his... read more

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