Shine, Sing, and Saviour

Psalm 67

1 To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song. 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 thoughts:

Verse 1

Make his face to shine on us.

Revelation 1:16 — In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

Exodus 34:29 — When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.

Matthew 17:2 — And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.

Revelation 21:23 — And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

This is also the answer to the question, if the sun wasn't created until the fourth day how did plants grow and survive without light? In the beginning It doesn't matter how long a day was because as long as Jesus was looking at them they have all the light they need.

Its not just for plants, benefits of Natural light:

Provides vitamin D

    . Strong bones

    . A healthy immune system

    . Better mood

    . Cardiovascular health

    . Good muscle function

Getting more sunlight increases your serotonin levels.

Helps regulate sleep patterns.

Improves symptoms of seasonal depression.

If Natural light provides all these benefits just imagine what getting it directly from the true source will do.

Verse 2 

That they may know in all the nations of the world, His ways and saving power.

Romans 10:13-15 — For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Matthew 28:19 — Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Verse 3

The Psalmist is asking GOD to let the people praise him. Praise adds nothing to GOD he lacks nothing so he doesn't need our praise. The ones who receives the blessing of praise are his people, you and me.

Praise -

1. reduces stress and anxiety

2. improves your physical health

3. lifts your mood and fights depression

4. strengthens relationships

5. reminds us who’s in control

6. improves sleep & rest

Praise is a physical and spiritual workout.

Have you been working out lately?

Verse 4

Acts 17:26 — And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,

Deuteronomy 32:5- 

They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation. Do you thus repay the LORD,

you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you? Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations;

ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you. When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance,

when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.

"He gave them thier inheritance"

Luke 15:11-32 Jesus tell us about another who received his inheritance.

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out tofn one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’fn But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

"For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate."

Psalm 103:10 — He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

Verse 5

This is a reinforcement of verse 3, the Psalmist is again asking for GOD to let the people praise him. Which people? All the peoples of the earth.

Verses 6-7

The earth has indeed yielded it's increase, the fruit of the soil. The Psalmist looking forward in time sings "GOD shall bless us"

He has indeed blessed us in the person and finished work of Jesus. 

GOD has given us a second Adam. The first Adam was earth infused with the breath (the Spirit) of life.

The last Adam was the Spirit of life infused into an earthen vessel.

1 Corinthians 15:45 — Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

My prayer, heavenly father let us stand in your light, lets us praise and worship you, and let us thank you for Jesus and the blessing he is from you to all people of every nation. Let us and all the ends of the Earth fear (revere) you, amen.