Psalm 67
This is one of those rare Psalms that isn't focussed on Israel's blessing and it's enemy's destruction. In fact, the focus is much, much broader! It's upon blessings for all the peoples of the earth. Israel in this song is a messenger. The psalmist expresses his desire that God would bless Israel in such a way that God's own fame would become known all over the world. This is an evangelistic psalm!
They sing, "God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us." And the result he seeks is that "Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations."
Verses 3 through 5 expand this thought. It's a prayer that the nations may be taught in such a way that they would all praise the Lord - that they would "be glad and sing for joy!" And they actually would engage in such praise, he says, if they come to know a God Who judges righteously, and Who, after all, is the God Who governs them all.
If God will teach the nations in this way, sings the leader, then the "the earth shall yield her increase." It'll be the best kind of harvest - a harvest of praise to God. The song is a prayer for that kind of "yield." In fact, the song reminds us that, as God blesses the nations, He'll be blessing Israel as well. And the final result will be wonderful indeed: "God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him!"
There's a great lesson in this psalm for the Israel of God, the church that is in the world today. The lesson is this: as God blesses the Church, as she grows in holiness, righteousness, and truth, many people the world over will come to know God and His salvation!
Oh that the Church of our time might concentrate on that kind of inward growth, upon each member's growth in such love, joy, and godliness that they shall be a testimony of God to the world around them. Then and only then will the eyes of the people of the world be opened to know the Christian's God. Oh may we so glorify Him that the world might see Him in us!
Alan, do you mean to have two "the's"?
If God will teach the nations in this way, sings the leader, then the "the earth shall yield her increase."
Thanks for that correction, Pat. It's fixed.