The Jewish people were commissioned by God to live godly lives.  The long-term obedience of God’s people would point the nations to Jehovah.  Of course, through Jesus Christ this has happened.  Why were the people so ineffective beforehand?  They knew that eventually all peoples would see the truth of their monotheistic ways.  However, as a nation the Israelites became too internal in their focus.  Their opportunity to spread the gospel through the old covenant was lost.

Psalm 67 then seems somewhat ironic.  It shows the truth that all the world will one day acknowledge in spite of those singing the psalm.  Christians today may ask themselves whether God is reaching the peoples of the world in spite of them or through them.

Psalm 67

  For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.

 ¹ May God be gracious to us and bless us
   and make his face shine on us—^[b]
2 so that your ways may be known on earth,
   your salvation among all nations.

 ³ May the peoples praise you, God;
   may all the peoples praise you.
⁴ May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
   for you rule the peoples with equity
   and guide the nations of the earth.
⁵ May the peoples praise you, God;
   may all the peoples praise you.

 ⁶ The land yields its harvest;
   God, our God, blesses us.
⁷ May God bless us still,
   so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Questions

1. What would happen in the nations if God shone his face upon Israel?
2. Has this psalm been answered?
3. Is the psalmist, in your opinion, singing this psalm in exile?
4. How could your nation be a light to other nations?
5. How could you make sure that foreigners had a positive regard for you and your faith?