Songs of Renewal #11

 

Psalm 67

1 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!

This song is rather unique in how quickly it breaks for a musical interlude. The word Selah, "lift up", indicates an instrumental interlude to allow the people to reflect on what has just been sung to let the message sink in: "God, we need Your blessing; we need Your attention; we need You to smile at us.  Notice why the psalmist asks for blessing: it is not a selfish thing - it is so all nations will be drawn toward Him. That is a key to renewal and blessing - it is not just for us. If we are only calling out to God for Him to do for us, to bless us, to give to us, we're missing out. He wants to bless us to make a difference in the world. When we sincerely call out to Him to renew us for that, we shall be blessed.