Psalms 67
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN ON NEGINOTH, A PSALM OR SONG.
The Mairi (Rabbi Menachem ben Solomon haMeiri 1249-1316, France)
says that this Psalm was composed concerning the ingathering of the Exiles. The
Radak (Rabbi David Kimchi1160-1235, Italy) relates it more to the redemption of
Jerusalem.
[Psalms 67:1] GOD BE MERCIFUL UNTO US, AND BLESS US; AND CAUSE HIS FACE TO SHINE
UPON US; SELAH.
Mairi: Divine Providence is evident through us and this is apparent to
everyone.
The Mairi says that this psalm tells us the all the peoples will acknowledge the
Almighty and thank him. The Israelite Nations will give thanks since they will
be saved. Even the other nations that came against Israel and that will be
punished will give thanks since finally the Almighty will have made HIS PRESENCE
evident in the world. They will be aware then, says the Mairi, that the Almighty
God of Israel is a God of Justice. The Midrash Schoker Tov on Tehilim has a
similar explanation to the Mairi and quotes specific verses to emphasize the
point.
[Psalms 67:2] THAT THY WAY MAY BE KNOWN UPON EARTH, THY SAVING HEALTH AMONG
ALL NATIONS.
<<THY SAVING HEALTH>>: The Hebrew original has "Yishuatecha" which normally
would be translated to mean "Your Salvation".
[Psalms 67:3] LET THE PEOPLE PRAISE THEE, O GOD; LET ALL THE PEOPLE PRAISE
THEE.
[Psalms 67:4] O LET THE NATIONS BE GLAD AND SING FOR JOY: FOR THOU SHALT JUDGE
THE PEOPLE RIGHTEOUSLY, AND GOVERN THE NATIONS UPON EARTH.
SELAH.
[Psalms 67:5] LET THE PEOPLE PRAISE THEE, O GOD; LET ALL THE PEOPLE PRAISE
THEE.
The Midrash Schoker Tov compares this verse to the verse [Psalms 77:14] THOU ART
THE GOD THAT DOEST WONDERS: THOU HAST DECLARED THY STRENGTH AMONG THE PEOPLE.
[Which is followed by "THOU HAST WITH THINE ARM REDEEMED THY PEOPLE, THE SONS OF
JACOB AND JOSEPH. SELAH" Psalms 77:15.] The Midrash then says that the
Almighty does not rescue Israel because of their own righteousness but rather to
make known HIS own might and awareness of HIMSELF.
[Psalms 67:6] THEN SHALL THE EARTH YIELD HER INCREASE; AND GOD, EVEN OUR OWN
GOD, SHALL BLESS US.
<<YIELD HER INCREASE>>: The Almighty created the world in such a way that there
should be enough of the basic necessities of life for everybody. Because of the
sins of man it does not always work out that way. In the future this will be
rectified.
[Psalms 67:7] GOD SHALL BLESS US; AND ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH SHALL FEAR
HIM.
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