#799 Psalm 67 Mercy That I May Praise

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him! Psalm 67

A Psalm and a song whose author is not named but it's inspiration is from the Holy Spirit.

Gracious to us - Some interpretations say mercy, which is the cry of every heart that seeks the grace of  our Lord, not from works which we have not, but from a bankrupt spirit that has nothing to boast of. So often I petition the Lord, shooting from the hip, thoughtlessly going about the business of prayer, forgetting that I have much need for His mercy, much to confess. 

Bless us - Oh the reach of it all, the petitioner does not seek refuge only for himself, he does not ask only for His own mercy, but this is mercy that he would ask on behalf of others. How many times have I only seen just inches, forgotten that there is a whole world out there dying? God bless them and use me to do so. Let me be Your hands here, Your kind word, Your time, the voice of hope, that tells the truth of Your judgment toward sin, but also Your willingness toward those who ask for mercy, who put their trust in Your forgiveness, their faith in the Way You have provided. 

Shine upon us - May my life bring you joy. Let my honor be that You were glorified. May the radiance of Your countenance shine on me, so that all men may see the work of Your salvation.

…24 ‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; 25 may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’… Numbers 6: 24-26

 - This verse may be regarded as the prayer of Israel, and spiritually of the Christian church. The largest charity is shown in this Psalm, but it begins at home. The whole church, each church, and each little company, may rightly pray, bless us. It would, however, be very wrong to let our charity end where it begins, as some do; our love must make long marches, and our prayers must have a wide sweep, we must embrace the whole world in our intercessions. Selah. Lift up the heart, lift up the voice. A higher key, a sweeter note is called for. - C. H. Spurgeon

Let the people praise Thee, O God - If we do not want this for everyone, then have we known it for ourselves? Are we gathered together to praise Him or are we there to be entertained? Why is it a request? Because we don't know Him, we are blind, we are deaf, and those who would worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. 

- Nations never will be glad till they follow the leadership of the great Shepherd; they may shift their modes of government from monarchies to republics, and from republics to communes, but they will retain their wretchedness till they bow before the Lord of all. What a sweet word is that to sing for joy! Some sing for form, others for show, some as a duty, others as an amusement, but to sing from the heart, because overflowing joy must find a vent, this is to sing indeed. - C. H. Spurgeon

God shall bless us - We have asked for His mercy, and He has freely given it in His Son. We have asked for His blessing, and in the end we may rest assured, as His children, He has blessed us and shined upon us. He has not left us comfortless, but has given us the assurance of His Spirit.

Isaiah 60