---
title: "Clarke"
description: "The title here is the same with that of Psalm iv., where see the notes. Psalms 4:1. It is supposed to have been written at the return from the Babylonish"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/67"
---

The *title* here is the same with that of Psalm iv., where see the notes. [Psalms 4:1](../../../kjv/psalms/4/1). It is supposed to have been written at the return from the Babylonish captivity, and to foretell the conversion of the Gentiles to the Christian religion. The prayer for their salvation is very energetic.
Verse [Psalms 67:1](../../../kjv/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](../../../kjv/numbers/6/25), where see the notes. [Numbers 6:25](../../../kjv/numbers/6/25).

Verse [Psalms 67:2](../../../kjv/psalms/67/2). ***That thy way may be known*** — That thy will, thy gracious designs towards the children of men, thy way of reconciling them to thyself, of justifying the ungodly, and sanctifying the unholy, may be known to all the nations upon the earth! God's *way* is God's *religion*; what *he walks in* before men; and in which men must *walk* before him. A man's religion is his *way* of worshipping God, and going to heaven. The whole Gospel is called *this way*, [Acts 19:9](../../../kjv/acts/19/9).
***Thy saving health*** — ישועתך *yeshuathecha*, "thy salvation." The great *work* which is performed in God's *way*, in destroying the power, pardoning the guilt, cleansing from the infection, of all sin; and filling the soul with holiness, with the mind that was in Christ. Let *all nations*- the whole Gentile world, know that *way*, and this *salvation*!

Verse [Psalms 67:3](../../../kjv/psalms/67/3). ***Let the people praise thee*** — When this is done, the *people*- the Gentiles, will praise thee; all will give thanks to God for his unspeakable gift.

Verse [Psalms 67:4](../../../kjv/psalms/67/4). ***Glad and sing for joy*** — They shall be made happy in thy salvation. Even their political state shall be greatly meliorated; for God will be acknowledged the supreme Judge; *their laws* shall be founded on *his word*; and the nations of the earth shall be *governed* according to judgment, justice, and equity,
***Selah.*** — This is true. There are innumerable facts to confirm it. All the nations who have received the Gospel of Christ have been benefited *politically*, as well as *spiritually*, by it.

Verse [Psalms 67:5](../../../kjv/psalms/67/5). ***Let the people praise thee*** — Seeing the abundance of the blessings which the Gentiles were to receive, he calls again and again upon them to magnify God for such mercies.

Verse [Psalms 67:6](../../../kjv/psalms/67/6). ***The earth yield her increase*** — As the ground was *cursed* for the sin of man, and the *curse* was to be *removed* by *Jesus* *Christ*, the fertility of the ground should be influenced by the preaching of the Gospel; for as the people's minds would become enlightened by the truth, they would, in consequence, become capable of making the most *beneficial discoveries* in *arts* and *sciences*, and there should be an especial blessing on the toil of the pious husbandman. Whenever true religion prevails, every thing partakes of its beneficent influence.

Verse [Psalms 67:7](../../../kjv/psalms/67/7). ***God shall bless us*** — He shall ever be *speaking good* to us, and ever showering down good things upon us.
The last clause of the *sixth verse* should be joined to the *seventh*, as it is in several of the *Versions*, and should be in all. Many of the *fathers*, and several *commentators*, have thought that there is a reference to the *Holy Trinity* in the triple repetition of the word GOD: "God, our God, shall bless us; God shall bless us;" thus paraphrased in the old *Psalter*: "Blis us God the Fader: and our God the sone: and blis us and multipli us God the Hali Gast; that swa drede him God, all the endis of erth; for he wil comme to deme rightwysly that unrightwysly was demed. He that kan drede him, he cesses noght to lufe him."
*When* or by *whom* this Psalm was written cannot be ascertained. It seems to be simply a prophecy concerning the calling of the Gentiles, the preaching of the apostles, and the diffusion and influence of Christianity in the world. It is a fine piece of devotion; and it would be nearly impossible to read or repeat it with a cold and unaffected heart.
This Psalm may be divided into *three* parts: -
I. A general prayer, [Psalms 67:1](../../../kjv/psalms/67/1). And the *reason* of it, [Psalms 67:2](../../../kjv/psalms/67/2).
II. A double *vow*, [Psalms 67:3-4](../../../kjv/psalms/67/3-4). With the *reason*. The vow repeated, [Psalms 67:6](../../../kjv/psalms/67/6).
III. The *effects* that were to follow, [Psalms 67:6-7](../../../kjv/psalms/67/6-7).
1. The first part, a *prayer for mercy*: "God be merciful to us!" for *God's mercy* is the fountain of all our blessings.
2. Then *bless us* through that mercy with *temporal* and *spiritual* good.
3. "Cause his face to shine." Give us a sense of thy *approbation*.
4. Let these blessings be extended *to all men*. For this reason: 1. "That thy way," thy will, word, worship, c., "may be known upon earth." 2. "Thy saving health," the redemption by Christ, "to all nations."
II. Then shall God be honoured one will readily flow from the other; for *mercy* brings *knowledge* of God and his goodness; and this knowledge brings *praise*. This verse is emphatic: -
1. In respect of the object; "Thee," not strange gods.
2. ALL *shall praise*- not *mutter* or *meditate* praise, but make it illustrious.
3. This should be done *frequently*, an example of which we have in this Psalm.
4. It should be done *cheerfully*, with a glad heart; not *words* merely, but *affections* of praise.
For this also he gives a *reason* which is two-fold: -
1. His *equity* in judging: "Thou shalt judge the people righteously."
2. His *wisdom* in governing. Thou shalt *lead them*, תנחם tanchem, thy government shall be full of *wise teaching*: "Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of his times."
III. The *effects* of his blessing, and our praise.
1. "The earth shall yield her increase:" the *people* shall be *multiplied*; the *harvests* shall be *ample*, and the *Church* shall *overflow* with converts.
2. God shall *bless this increase*; for, without this, temporal blessings may become a curse. He doubles this that it may not be forgotten.
3. The last and finest effect is, that God shall be worshipped over all the earth: "All the ends of the earth shalt fear him." Amen. The *fear of God* is frequently Used to express the whole of his worship.

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