Psalms 67:5

KJV

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let the people {H5971} praise {H3034}{H8686)} thee, O God {H430}; let all the people {H5971} praise {H3034}{H8686)} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let the peoples give thanks to you, God; let the peoples give thanks to you, all of them.

Berean Standard Bible

Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You.

American Standard Version

Let the peoples praise thee, O God; Let all the peoples praise thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 67:5 is a passionate and prayerful reiteration of the psalmist's desire for the universal recognition and adoration of God. Building upon the preceding verses that petition God to bless His people so that His saving power might be known globally, this verse amplifies the fervent call for all humanity, without exception, to acknowledge, worship, and give thanks to the Creator. It encapsulates a profound vision of God's redemptive purpose unfolding across the entire earth, culminating in a chorus of praise from every nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 67 is often characterized as a "missionary psalm" or a "harvest psalm," deeply rooted in the prayer for God's blessing upon Israel as a means to a greater, universal end. The psalm opens with a direct petition for divine favor in [Psalms 67:1-2](/psalms/67-1 "Psalm 67:1-2 - God's Blessing for Global Witness"), "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations." This establishes the foundational premise: God's blessing on His chosen people is not for their exclusive benefit but serves as a conduit for His redemptive plan to be revealed to the world. [Psalms 67:3](/psalms/67-3 "Psalm 67:3 - Initial Call for Universal Praise") then introduces the initial call to praise from "the people," followed by [Psalms 67:4](/psalms/67-4 "Psalm 67:4 - God's Righteous Judgment as Basis for Praise"), which grounds this universal praise in God's righteous judgment and governance of all nations. Verse 5 acts as a powerful, climactic repetition and intensification of the central plea from verse 3, emphasizing the comprehensive and undeniable scope of this desired global adoration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely for public worship, perhaps associated with harvest festivals or times of national blessing, Psalms 67 reflects Israel's unique covenantal role among the nations. While surrounding cultures worshipped various regional deities, this psalm boldly proclaims Yahweh as the one true God, whose reign extends over all peoples and lands. The concept of Israel being blessed to be a "light to the Gentiles" ([Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Israel as a Light to the Nations")) is deeply embedded in the Old Testament narrative, stemming from the Abrahamic covenant where [all families of the earth would be blessed through Abraham's descendants](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant"). The psalm envisions a future where the nations, having witnessed God's favor upon Israel and His righteous rule, would abandon their idols and turn to the true God. This universal vision was radical in a world dominated by tribal and nationalistic gods, highlighting the expansive nature of God's character and His ultimate redemptive purpose for all humanity.

* **Key Themes:**
* **Universal Praise:** The most prominent theme is the fervent yearning for global adoration of God. The repeated phrase "let all the people praise thee" underscores that God's worthiness of worship extends beyond Israel to every nation, tribe, and tongue. This is a prophetic vision of a future where God's glory is universally recognized and celebrated, a theme echoed throughout prophetic literature, such as when [the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord](/habakkuk/2-14 "Habakkuk 2:14 - The Earth Filled with God's Glory").
* **God's Sovereignty and Justice:** Implicit in the call to praise is the understanding that God "shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth" ([Psalms 67:4](/psalms/67-4 "Psalm 67:4 - God's Righteous Judgment")). His just and righteous rule, which brings order and equity to the world, is presented as the very foundation upon which universal adoration is built. Nations are called to praise Him because He is not only powerful but also perfectly just in His dealings with humanity.
* **Missional Purpose of Israel's Blessing:** The psalm presents God's blessing on Israel as a strategic means to an ultimate end: that His salvation might be known to all peoples. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God chose Israel not for their own sake alone, but to be a witness to the nations. The prosperity and flourishing of God's people are intended to draw the attention of the world, prompting them to inquire about the source of such blessing and ultimately to join in the praise of Israel's God, as seen in the vision of [nations flowing to the mountain of the Lord](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2 - Nations Flowing to the Mountain of the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **People (Hebrew, _‘ammim'_):** This plural noun (עַמִּים) is crucial for understanding the psalm's universal scope. Unlike the singular "people" (עַם, _‘am_), which often refers specifically to Israel, _‘ammim_ explicitly denotes "peoples" or "nations." Its repeated use throughout Psalms 67, and particularly its emphatic inclusion in verse 5 ("all the people"), leaves no ambiguity: the psalmist's prayer and vision extend far beyond the borders of Israel to encompass every ethnic and national group on earth. This linguistic detail underscores the global, inclusive nature of God's redemptive plan.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _yadah'_):** The verb יָדָה (_yadah_) signifies more than mere verbal commendation. It implies an act of thanksgiving, confession, and an acknowledgment of God's mighty deeds and character, often accompanied by an outward expression, such as extending or lifting hands in adoration. It carries the nuance of giving thanks and making a public declaration of God's greatness. When the psalmist calls for "all the people" to _yadah_ God, it is a call for a comprehensive, heartfelt, and demonstrative recognition of His sovereignty, justice, and saving power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let the people praise thee, O God;":** This initial clause serves as a fervent prayer or an imperative declaration. "The people" here, as established by the preceding verses and the Hebrew term _‘ammim_, refers to the diverse nations of the earth. It is a plea for these non-Israelite peoples to turn from their idols and acknowledge the one true God, offering Him the worship and thanksgiving that is rightfully His. The phrase "O God" (אֱלֹהִים, _‘Elohim_) emphasizes His universal deity and power.
* **"let all the people praise thee.":** This second clause is a powerful repetition and intensification of the first. The addition of "all" (כָּל, _kol_) removes any potential limitation or ambiguity, unequivocally stating the comprehensive nature of the desired praise. It creates a crescendo, amplifying the psalmist's longing for every single nation, tribe, and tongue to join in the chorus of adoration. This repetition serves to underscore the central, non-negotiable vision of the psalm: God's ultimate purpose is to receive universal praise.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 67:5 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most striking is **Repetition**, where the entire phrase "let the people praise thee, O God" is essentially repeated, with a crucial intensification in the second instance. This repetition serves to emphasize the central theme of universal praise, making it unforgettable and highlighting the psalmist's fervent desire. Closely related is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second line of the verse reiterates the thought of the first line but with added force or clarity. The phrase "let all the people praise thee" does not introduce a new idea but reinforces the previous one, broadening its scope with the emphatic "all." This creates a sense of escalating urgency and comprehensive inclusion. Furthermore, the use of the **Imperative** or **Volitional Mood** (implied by "Let...") expresses a strong desire, a prayer, or even a command for this universal praise to come to fruition. It is not merely a statement of fact but a passionate call to action, reflecting a deep spiritual yearning for God's glory to be universally acknowledged.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 67:5 encapsulates a core theological truth: God's ultimate plan is not for the salvation and worship of a single nation, but for a global outpouring of praise from all peoples. This verse beautifully bridges the particularity of God's covenant with Israel and the universality of His redemptive purpose. It reveals a God whose love and saving power extend to the ends of the earth, desiring that all humanity come to know Him and offer Him the worship He alone deserves. This vision foreshadows the New Testament's revelation of the Church as a multi-ethnic body, united in Christ, and serves as a powerful reminder that God's glory is most fully displayed when it is recognized and celebrated by every tribe, tongue, and nation. The psalm's prayer is thus a prophetic glimpse into the eschatological reality of God's kingdom.

* [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant and Blessing All Nations")
* [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the Lord and Universal Peace")
* [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation Worshipping God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 67:5 serves as a profound call to reflection for believers today, reminding us that God's heart beats for all nations. Our personal blessings and corporate worship are not ends in themselves but are intended to be a conduit through which God's saving health and glorious way become known to the entire world. This verse challenges any insular or ethnocentric tendencies within faith communities, compelling us to embrace a global perspective on God's mission. It calls us to cultivate a missionary heart, to pray fervently for the unreached, and to actively participate in the Great Commission, whether through direct involvement, financial support, or consistent intercession. Recognizing that God blesses us so that others might see His goodness and be drawn to praise Him should ignite a passion within us to live lives that authentically reflect His glory, thereby inviting others into His worship. Ultimately, this verse instills hope, pointing to a future where every knee will bow and every tongue confess the Lordship of God, inspiring us to work towards that glorious reality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the universal call to praise in this psalm shape your understanding of God's character and purposes?**
* **In what ways can you, as an individual or part of a community, contribute to God's "way being known upon earth" and all peoples praising Him?**
* **What specific actions or prayers might flow from recognizing that God blesses His people so that His salvation might be known to all nations?**

### FAQ
**Why is the repetition of 'let all the people praise thee' significant in Psalms 67:5?**

Answer: The repetition in Psalms 67:5, particularly the addition of "all" in the second clause, is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it serves as a powerful **emphasis** and **intensification** of the psalmist's fervent prayer and desire. It’s not just a casual request but a deep, passionate yearning for this reality to come to pass. Secondly, it **removes any ambiguity** regarding the scope of the praise. While the first clause "let the people praise thee" might conceptually refer to nations, the explicit inclusion of "all" ensures that no people group, tribe, or nation is excluded from this divine aspiration. It underscores the truly **universal** nature of God's redemptive plan and His worthiness of worship from every corner of the globe. This repetition acts as a rhetorical crescendo, building the emotional and theological weight of the psalm's central message: God's ultimate desire is to be known and praised by all humanity, as also envisioned in prophetic passages like [Isaiah 45:22-23](/isaiah/45-22 "Isaiah 45:22-23 - Look to Me and Be Saved, All You Ends of the Earth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 67:5, with its fervent call for all peoples to praise God, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's vision of universal worship, prayed for in this psalm, is realized through the New Testament's revelation of the Messiah, who breaks down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")) and gathers a people for Himself from every nation. Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as a sacrifice not just for Israel, but for the sins of the entire world ([1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - He Is the Propitiation for Our Sins, and Not for Ours Only")). His Great Commission to His disciples, to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), is the divine strategy for bringing about this universal praise. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, believers are sent out to be His witnesses "to the end of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Be Witnesses")), proclaiming the good news that through Christ, salvation is offered to all. Ultimately, the prophetic longing of Psalms 67:5 culminates in the heavenly vision of [a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation Worshipping God"). This is the Christ-centered fulfillment: the universal praise desired by the psalmist is realized through the redemptive work of Jesus, making it possible for all peoples to truly praise God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 67:3

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Matthew 6:9

¶ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:10

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.