Psalms 67:6

KJV

[Then] shall the earth yield her increase; [and] God, [even] our own God, shall bless us.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shall the earth {H776} yield {H5414}{H8804)} her increase {H2981}; and God {H430}, even our own God {H430}, shall bless {H1288}{H8762)} us.

Complete Jewish Bible

The earth has yielded its harvest; may God, our God, bless us.

Berean Standard Bible

The earth has yielded its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.

American Standard Version

The earth hath yielded its increase: God, even our own God, will bless us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 67:6 is a triumphant declaration of divine blessing and earthly abundance, presented as a direct consequence of God's saving power being recognized and praised by all peoples. It envisions a future where universal worship leads to God's comprehensive favor, causing the land to yield its produce and signifying holistic prosperity for those in covenant with Him. This verse serves as a hopeful affirmation that God's benevolent hand ensures provision and flourishing when His sovereignty is acknowledged globally.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 67 is a short yet profound psalm, often categorized as a communal prayer or a missionary psalm, sometimes used during harvest festivals. The preceding verses ([Psalms 67:1-2](/psalms/67-1 "Psalms 67:1-2 - Prayer for Mercy and Universal Revelation")) express a fervent plea for God to be merciful to His people, Israel, and to bless them. The explicit purpose of this blessing is so that God's "way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations." This prayer for divine favor is not insular but outward-focused, aiming for the universal recognition of God's redemptive work. Verses [Psalms 67:3-5](/psalms/67-3 "Psalms 67:3-5 - Call for Universal Praise") then transition into an impassioned call for "all people" and "all nations" to praise God, celebrating His righteous judgment and guidance. Verse 6, therefore, stands as the anticipated outcome or blessed consequence of such universal worship and acknowledgment of God's saving power. It is the fulfillment of the prayer and the reward for global praise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely for public worship, Psalm 67 reflects the agricultural society of ancient Israel, where the "increase" of the earth was directly tied to survival and prosperity. Harvests were seen as tangible manifestations of God's blessing or judgment, making the imagery of the earth yielding its produce deeply significant. The psalm’s emphasis on "nations" and "peoples" praising God aligns with Israel's unique role as a light to the Gentiles, a concept rooted in the Abrahamic covenant where through Israel, "all families of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")). This universal scope was not merely an eschatological hope but also a present theological reality, as God's blessings on Israel were intended to draw others to Him. The phrase "our own God" underscores the covenantal relationship between Yahweh and Israel, a personal and exclusive bond that nonetheless had universal implications.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Provision**, portraying God as the ultimate source of all sustenance and abundance, not just agriculturally but holistically. The earth's capacity to produce is entirely dependent on divine enablement, signifying comprehensive prosperity and well-being that flows from God's favor. Secondly, the theme of **God's Blessing** is central, emphasizing the personal and covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people. This blessing is comprehensive, touching every aspect of life, signifying favor, protection, and prosperity, and is a direct response to the recognition and praise of His universal sovereignty. Thirdly, the psalm articulates the **Interconnectedness of Worship and Blessing**, suggesting a profound link between the acknowledgment of God by all nations and the flourishing of the earth and its inhabitants. When God's righteous rule is recognized globally, His blessings are expected to flow abundantly, demonstrating that God's glory and humanity's flourishing are intrinsically linked, anticipating a time when the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea ([Isaiah 11:9](/isaiah/11-9 "Isaiah 11:9 - The Knowledge of the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Increase (Hebrew, _yebûl'_):** This noun specifically refers to the produce, yield, or fruit of the land, particularly agricultural crops. Its use here underscores the tangible, physical bounty that God provides, emphasizing the natural world's capacity to sustain life. In a broader sense, it symbolizes all forms of prosperity and flourishing that result from divine favor, extending beyond mere agricultural output to encompass overall well-being and abundance in every sphere of life.
* **Bless (Hebrew, _bārak'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to kneel" or "to adore," this versatile verb signifies empowering with divine favor, leading to prosperity, fruitfulness, and success. When God blesses, He imparts life, vitality, and well-being. The blessing is comprehensive, touching every aspect of life – material, spiritual, and relational. It is an active, divine impartation of good, flowing from God's benevolent nature and His covenant faithfulness.
* **Our own God (Hebrew, _ʾelōhênû'_):** The repetition of "God, even our own God" (אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֵינוּ, _ʾelōhîm ʾelōhênû_) serves to intensely personalize and emphasize the covenantal relationship. The possessive suffix "our" (נוּ, _nû_) highlights the unique, intimate, and exclusive bond between Yahweh and His people, Israel. It affirms God's faithfulness to His promises and His particular care for those who belong to Him, even as His blessings are intended to extend universally. This phrase grounds the universal blessing in a specific, relational commitment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shall the earth yield her increase;":** This clause anticipates a future state of agricultural abundance and general prosperity. The "then" (אָז, _ʾāz_) connects this flourishing directly to the universal praise and recognition of God described in the preceding verses. The earth, personified, is depicted as actively responding to God's blessing by producing its bounty. This is not merely a natural phenomenon but a supernatural outcome, a divine enablement that ensures the land's fruitfulness. It signifies a time of peace, stability, and material well-being, a hallmark of God's kingdom.
* **"[and] God, [even] our own God, shall bless us.":** This second clause explicitly identifies the source of the "increase" and the overall prosperity: God Himself. The emphatic repetition of "God, even our own God" reinforces His personal, covenantal relationship with His people, assuring them of His particular favor. The blessing is comprehensive, encompassing all aspects of life, and is a direct, active impartation from the divine. It implies not just material provision but also spiritual favor, protection, and the fulfillment of covenant promises, flowing from His very nature as the benevolent and faithful God of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 67:6 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "the earth yield her increase," attributing the action of producing bounty to the earth itself, as if it is actively responding to God's command or blessing. This imbues creation with a sense of participation in God's redemptive plan. The **Repetition** of "God, even our own God" is a rhetorical device known as **Pleonasm** or **Emphasis**, serving to intensify the personal and covenantal relationship between God and His people. It underscores the certainty and intimacy of His blessing. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Result Clause** or **Consequence**, presenting the earthly increase and divine blessing as the direct outcome of the universal praise and acknowledgment of God called for in the preceding verses. This establishes a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship between global worship and divine favor. Finally, the "increase" of the earth serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for holistic prosperity and well-being, extending beyond mere agricultural abundance to encompass spiritual, social, and relational flourishing under God's benevolent reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 67:6 beautifully encapsulates the biblical principle that God's blessing is both comprehensive and purposeful. It affirms God as the ultimate provider, whose benevolent hand sustains creation and pours out blessings upon His people. This divine provision, however, is not an end in itself but serves a broader redemptive purpose: to make God's saving power known among all nations. The verse connects the flourishing of the earth to the universal praise of God, suggesting an eschatological vision where creation itself thrives under the righteous reign of a God acknowledged by all peoples. It reflects the covenantal promises of blessing for obedience and highlights the integral link between humanity's worship and the well-being of the created order, anticipating a future where God's glory fills the earth, and His people experience abundant life.

* [Genesis 8:22](/genesis/8-22 "Genesis 8:22 - God's Covenant with Noah on Seedtime and Harvest")
* [Deuteronomy 28:12](/deuteronomy/28-12 "Deuteronomy 28:12 - Blessings for Obedience, including Rain and Harvest")
* [Numbers 6:24](/numbers/6-24 "Numbers 6:24 - The Aaronic Blessing: "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee"")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 67:6 offers profound comfort and a compelling challenge for believers today. It reminds us that our God is the faithful and benevolent provider, the ultimate source of all good things, whether material or spiritual. In an age of anxiety and scarcity, this verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's unfailing provision, recognizing that the "increase" in our lives, whether tangible or intangible, ultimately flows from His generous hand. This understanding should foster a spirit of gratitude and responsible stewardship, prompting us to manage the resources and blessings He entrusts to us with wisdom and integrity. Crucially, the psalm's context reveals that God's blessing is not merely for our personal comfort but is intrinsically linked to His global mission. Our abundance, our flourishing, and our experience of God's goodness are intended to be a testimony to the nations, drawing others to acknowledge and praise Him. Thus, our lives, blessed by God, become a living demonstration of His character, fueling our participation in making His saving health known to all peoples and anticipating the day when the whole earth will yield its praise to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God as the ultimate source of all "increase" impact your view of personal provision and stewardship?**
* **In what ways can your experience of God's blessing serve as a testimony to others, drawing them to acknowledge His goodness?**
* **What practical steps can you take to align your life more fully with the psalm's vision of universal worship leading to global flourishing?**
* **How does this verse inspire hope for the future, both personally and for the world at large?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the phrase "our own God" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "our own God" (אֱלֹהֵינוּ, _ʾelōhênû_) is deeply significant because it emphasizes the personal, covenantal, and exclusive relationship between Yahweh and His people, Israel. While the psalm has a universal scope, calling for all nations to praise God, this specific phrasing grounds that universal blessing in God's particular commitment to His chosen people. It assures Israel that the God who blesses the earth is not a distant deity but their very own God, bound to them by covenant promises. This personal affirmation strengthens faith and highlights the intimacy of God's care, even as His blessings are intended to extend to all humanity, demonstrating His character through His relationship with Israel, as seen in the broader context of [Psalms 67](/psalms/67 "Psalm 67 - A Prayer for God's Blessing and Universal Praise").

**How does this verse relate to the concept of missions or evangelism?**

Answer: Psalms 67:6 is intimately connected to missions and evangelism through the overarching theme of the psalm. The preceding verses explicitly state the purpose of God's blessing upon His people: "that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations" ([Psalms 67:2](/psalms/67-2 "Psalms 67:2 - God's Way Known on Earth")). The earth yielding its increase and God blessing His people (verse 6) is presented as a direct result of this universal acknowledgment and praise of God by all peoples. Therefore, the prosperity and flourishing experienced by God's people are not for their isolated benefit but are intended to be a tangible demonstration of God's goodness, drawing the nations to Him. It suggests that when God's people live under His blessing, it serves as a powerful witness to the world, inviting others to join in the praise and experience of God's saving power. This aligns with the Great Commission, where believers are sent to make disciples of all nations, carrying the good news of God's kingdom ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 67:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "increase" of the earth and the comprehensive blessing of God, yearned for in the Old Testament, are fully realized in the new creation inaugurated by Christ. He is the true source of all spiritual and eternal "increase," providing not merely physical sustenance but the bread of life ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and living water ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus, the Living Water")). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Christ has secured for His people every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")), fulfilling the promise of the blessing of Abraham for all nations ([Galatians 3:14](/galatians/3-14 "Galatians 3:14 - The Blessing of Abraham through Christ")). The universal praise of God, which in Psalm 67 leads to earthly flourishing, is now centered on Christ, for it is through Him that God's "saving health" is truly known among all nations. The vision of the earth yielding its increase points forward to the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells and creation is fully redeemed from the curse, bearing the fruit of the tree of life for the healing of the nations ([Revelation 22:1-2](/revelation/22-1 "Revelation 22:1-2 - The River of Life and the Tree of Life")). Thus, the blessings of Psalms 67:6 are not just agricultural or material but are ultimately spiritual and eschatological, culminating in the reign of Christ where all creation flourishes under His benevolent rule and all peoples acknowledge Him as Lord.

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

Leviticus 26:4

Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

Hosea 2:21

And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;

Hosea 2:22

And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.

Psalms 85:9

Surely his salvation [is] nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Psalms 85:12

Yea, the LORD shall give [that which is] good; and our land shall yield her increase.

Genesis 17:7

¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Jeremiah 31:33

But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.