Salmos 67
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 67
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This Psalm, like Psalm 65 and Psalm 66, has a universal element (cf. Ps. 67:2,3,4,5,7, esp. Ps. 67:2). The goal of YHWH is that the world may know Him (Ps. 67:2a) that the world may be saved (Ps. 67:2b) He makes Himself known through His acts of creation acts of election (i.e., Abraham and his seed) acts of redemption (i.e., especially the Exodus, Wilderness Wanderings, and return from exile) these acts are recorded for all to read in Scripture (see SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION) future acts by promise and prophecy through the Messiah (see SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH) SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN This Psalm is characterized by the use of JUSSIVES (nine). God's acts (prayer requests) God be gracious, Ps. 67:1 – BDB 138, KB 159, Piel IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense God bless, Ps. 67:1 – BDB 138, KB 159, Piel IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense God cause His face to shine upon, Ps. 67:1 – BDB 21, KB 24, Hiphil JUSSIVE God bless, Ps. 67:7 – BDB same as b the people's response the people praise (twice), Ps. 67:3 – BDB 392, KB 389, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense same as a. the nations be glad, Ps. 67:4 – BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense the nations sing for joy, Ps. 67:4 – BDB 943, KB 1247, Piel IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense repeat of Ps. 67:3 (i.e., a-b) same as e. I have enjoyed so much the insights of Derek Kidner. His commentary on Genesis and Psalms in the Tyndale OT series is a blessing to me. At the beginning of his comments on this Psalm, he says: "If a psalm was ever written round the promises to Abraham, that he would be both blessed and made a blessing, it could well have been such as this" (p. 254). SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS
Salmos 67:1-7
67:1 Psalm 67:1 is a prayer that has a universal redemptive flavor. YHWH desires that all humans made in His image and likeness (cf. Gen. 1:26-27) be restored to fellowship following the rebellion and sin of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. The promise of Gen. 3:15 is directed to all humans (there is no Israel until the call of Abram in Genesis 12). The salvation/restoration of the damaged "image" has been God's unalterable goal since the Fall (i.e., Isa. 2:2-4; 45:22; 52:10; 56:7; Micah 4:1-2). This clearly states my basic theological presupposition and theological grid! SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "us" Who is the "us" (thrice in Ps. 67:1 and Ps. 67:6b, 7a)? From the reference to Numbers 6 (i.e., the Aaronic blessing) one would assume Israel (cf. Ps. 4:6), but notice the other references. the peoples, Ps. 67:3,4b,5a all the peoples, Ps. 67:3,5b the nations, Ps. 67:4a the nations of the earth, Ps. 67:4c all the ends of the earth, Ps. 67:7b God desires the salvation of all (cf. John 3:16-17; 4:42; 12:47; Acts 2:17; Rom. 5:18; 1 Tim. 2:4; 4:10; Titus 2:11; 3:4; Heb. 2:9; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 2:2; 4:9-10,14). ▣ "Selah" See note at Psalm 3:2 and Introduction to Psalms, VII. ▣ "cause His face to shine upon us" This wording of the blessing of YHWH's personal presence and fellowship comes from the Aaronic blessing of Num. 6:22-27. The imagery is often repeated in the Psalms (cf. Ps. 4:6; 31:16; 80:3,7,19; 119:135). 67:2 "Your way" The way of God refers to His revelation. See the SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. Note the theological parallel at Ps. 16:11. The theological concept of biblical faith as a way/road is crucial (see Psalm 1). Jesus described it as a gate and a road (cf. Matt. 7:13-27), a personal encounter followed by a Christ-centered life (cf. James 2:14-26). I have included the notes from my commentary on Acts 9:2 below. Acts 9:2 "The Way" This was the early designation for believers (cf. Acts 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22 and possibly 18:25,26). It has an OT background, speaking of lifestyle faith (cf. Ps. 1:1; 16:11; 119:105; 139:24; Prov. 4:10-19). Jesus uses this concept in Matt. 7:14 and uses the title for Himself in John 14:6. Christianity is a personal encounter followed by a daily relationship. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY ▣ "earth" See SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH. Only context can determine the meaning of this (or any) word. 67:4 This verse cannot be negative (i.e., judgement only) because the judgment of God on uprightness will cause the nations to be glad sing for joy be guided by God The idea that the nations will be led by God takes on more significance when one notices the number of times (past, present, future) this term (BDB 634) is used of Israel (cf. Deut. 32:12; Neh. 9:12; Ps. 5:8; 23:3; 31:3; 43:3; 73:24; 78:14,53,72; 107:30; 139:10; 143:10). Now this same divine leadership is available for a repentant, believing, Gentile world (cf. Jer. 16:19). 67:6 The covenants of the OT promised agricultural blessings for those who obeyed the covenant (i.e., Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-28). This verse implies a repentant believing group among the peoples of the earth. It has an eschatological thrust. The Bible begins in agricultural abundance (i.e., Garden of Eden) and ends with the same imagery (Revelation 21-22). This implies that the place of fellowship between God and humanity is a restored Garden of Eden (i.e., a cleansed and restored earth). There is no way to know if this is imagery or prophecy. SPECIAL TOPIC: ELDER Many scholars have seen this Psalm as a harvest blessing based on this verse. However, the abundance of universal elements makes this doubtful. This Psalm is about God's desire for all the nations to know Him (cf. Ps. 67:2) and follow Him (Ps. 67:4) and, thereby be blessed (Ps. 67:6)! SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) 67:7 "That all the ends of the earth may fear Him" This is the use of the word "fear" (BDB 431, KB 432) in the sense of awe, respect, reverence. This universal theme is also stated in Ps. 22:27 and 33:8. SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT)