Psalm 67 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving that was probably used at harvest festivals. Some churches today still celebrate harvest festivals. People bring gifts of food to the church to distribute to the needy. These gifts are visible reminders of God's grace and generosity towards us. This psalm gives a fresh perspective on how we should view God's blessings.

Psalm 67 is a simple song in three short sections. It is structured like three concentric circles. The outer circle is vv. 1-2, 6-7. The psalm opens and closes with a request for God to bless His people (vv. 1-2, 6-7), and continue to treat them kindly and generously. But why should God bless us? The psalmist adds, ″That your ways may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations″ (v. 2). We seek God's blessing so that the world will know of His wonder and saving power.

Then there is the inner circle (vv. 3, 5), where the call to praise God is repeated. When we realise how generously God has physically and spiritually blessed us, the only right response is to praise Him. One of the greatest sins in our world is that we walk daily by markets full of God's good gifts to us and never give a thought about the One who truly puts all the food on the shelves. It is God who causes the land to yield its harvest (v. 6).

The heart of the psalm is verse 4. The songwriter praises God for His justice and His great plan for the world. We Christians have an even greater reason to praise God for this. Where do we see God's justice and power most wonderfully displayed? In arguably the most important sentence in his letters, Paul wrote, ″God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood–to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness . . .″ (Romans 3:25).

God watches people walk the aisles of shops that are overflowing with everything that one could possibly ever want and need. Everything is ultimately from His generous hand. He is their Creator, Provider, and Redeemer. Yet, very few stop to praise Him. But God did not punish people for their ingratitude. Instead He sent His Son to die on the cross so they could be forgiven. The cross is the place where mercy and justice meet. That's why the nations will sing for joy.

Many nations are poor. Some are materially poor. But all are spiritually poor. God longs to bless the nations by showing them His justice and power. God can and will do that through us. We've been blessed to be a blessing to others. That's the message of Psalm 67.