Psalms 67:7

KJV

God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

KJV (with Strong's)

God {H430} shall bless {H1288}{H8762)} us; and all the ends {H657} of the earth {H776} shall fear {H3372}{H8799)} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

May God continue to bless us, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Berean Standard Bible

God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.

American Standard Version

God will bless us; And all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 67:7 encapsulates the profound theological truth that God's specific blessing upon His people is not an end in itself, but a divinely ordained means to a universal end. It anticipates a future where the demonstrable favor of God upon His covenant community leads to the global recognition of His sovereignty and the reverential awe of all humanity. This verse serves as a powerful summation of the psalm's missional vision, affirming that divine prosperity is intrinsically linked to the worldwide spread of God's glory and the establishment of His righteous rule.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 67 is a unique communal prayer, often described as a harvest psalm due to its themes of agricultural prosperity and divine blessing. It is structured with a clear progression: an initial plea for blessing upon Israel ([Psalm 67:1](/psalms/67-1 "Psalm 67:1 - Plea for Blessing")) is immediately followed by the stated purpose of that blessing—that God's "way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations" ([Psalm 67:2](/psalms/67-2 "Psalm 67:2 - God's Way Known to All Nations")). The psalm then shifts to a refrain of universal praise ("Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee!" [Psalm 67:3](/psalms/67-3 "Psalm 67:3 - Universal Praise")), which frames the subsequent verses. Verses 6-7, in particular, serve as a culmination, affirming the certainty of God's blessing and its inevitable global impact, echoing the initial plea and purpose. This chiastic movement, from specific blessing to universal recognition and back, highlights the psalm's central message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely for a public worship setting, possibly linked to the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), an autumn harvest festival, Psalm 67 resonates deeply with ancient Israel's agrarian society. During such festivals, the abundance of the harvest was seen as a direct manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness and blessing. In a world where nations worshipped their own deities, Israel's experience of YHWH's tangible blessing—manifested in fertile land and prosperity—served as a powerful witness to the unique power and benevolence of their God. The psalm's universal scope, however, transcends a mere nationalistic prayer, reflecting Israel's unique calling as a "light to the Gentiles" ([Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles")). The "ends of the earth" refers not just to geographical boundaries but to all peoples and nations beyond Israel's immediate borders, emphasizing a global vision that was revolutionary for its time.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Blessing as a Catalyst for Mission**. God's favor bestowed upon His people is never solely for their comfort or prosperity but is always purposed to reveal His character and power to a watching world, transforming recipients into agents of His redemptive plan. Secondly, the psalm articulates a profound vision of **Universal Reverence and Recognition** of God. The "fear" mentioned is not terror, but a profound awe, respect, and worshipful submission, signifying the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom and the global acknowledgment of His divine rule, as prophesied in passages like [Zechariah 14:9](/zechariah/14-9 "Zechariah 14:9 - The Lord Will Be King Over All the Earth"). Finally, the verse powerfully articulates **Israel's Missional Purpose**. The progression from "God shall bless us" to "all the ends of the earth shall fear him" echoes the foundational [Abrahamic covenant](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant") where God promised that through Abraham's descendants, "all families of the earth be blessed," establishing a clear trajectory from particular blessing to universal impact.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bless (Hebrew, _barak'_):** This word signifies the bestowal of divine favor, prosperity, and well-being. It encompasses not only material abundance (as seen in the harvest context of the psalm) but also spiritual flourishing, protection, and the presence of God. In this verse, it is an active verb, indicating God's deliberate and certain action to confer good upon His people, establishing the foundation for the subsequent global impact.
* **Ends of the earth (Hebrew, _qatsot ha'arets'_):** This phrase is a comprehensive idiom referring to the outermost reaches of the inhabited world, signifying all nations, peoples, and geographical extremities. It emphasizes the universal scope of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate breadth of His dominion. It is not limited to Israel's immediate neighbors but encompasses every tribe and tongue.
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yare'_):** While "fear" can denote terror, in the context of God, _yare_ primarily conveys a profound sense of awe, reverence, worshipful respect, and humble submission. It is the acknowledgement of God's immense power, holiness, and sovereignty, leading to a proper response of honor, obedience, and adoration. This "fear of the Lord" is foundational to wisdom and true knowledge of God, as articulated in [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom"). Here, it implies a turning from idolatry to the worship of the one true God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"God shall bless us;":** This opening clause reaffirms the certainty of God's blessing upon His covenant people, Israel. It is a declarative statement of divine intention and action, building upon the initial plea of [Psalm 67:1](/psalms/67-1 "Psalm 67:1 - Plea for God's Blessing"). The blessing is not conditional on human merit but flows from God's gracious character and covenant faithfulness. This blessing is tangible, encompassing prosperity and flourishing, serving as a visible testament to God's presence and favor among His chosen people.
* **"and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.":** This second clause reveals the ultimate purpose and global consequence of God's blessing upon Israel. The "and" (waw conjunction) indicates a direct result or purpose. The blessing is not for Israel's exclusive benefit but is intended to manifest God's glory so powerfully that every nation, every people group, from the furthest corners of the globe, will come to acknowledge His supreme authority and respond with reverential awe and worship. This is the culmination of the psalm's missional vision, moving from the particular to the universal.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 67:7 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synthetic parallelism, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. "God shall bless us" sets the stage for the consequential "all the ends of the earth shall fear him," demonstrating a cause-and-effect relationship. There is also a strong sense of **Theological Progression**, moving from the specific (God's people) to the universal (all the ends of the earth), and from the internal experience of blessing to the external manifestation of God's glory. The phrase "ends of the earth" serves as a **Metonymy**, where a geographical boundary stands for the totality of people groups inhabiting those regions, emphasizing the global reach of God's redemptive plan. The psalm as a whole exhibits **Inclusio**, beginning with a plea for blessing and ending with the affirmation of that blessing and its universal impact, creating a cohesive and purposeful structure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 67:7 stands as a powerful testament to God's dual purpose in His dealings with humanity: to bless His people and, through that blessing, to reveal Himself to all nations. This verse resonates deeply with the foundational covenant with Abraham, where God promised to bless Abraham so that "all families of the earth shall be blessed" through him ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")). It underscores the principle that divine favor is never merely for personal enjoyment but is a stewardship intended to facilitate God's redemptive plan for the entire world. The "fear" of the Lord anticipated in this verse is the proper response to His revealed glory and saving power, echoing the universal worship envisioned by prophets like Isaiah and Zechariah, where all nations will stream to the mountain of the Lord ([Isaiah 2:2-3](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-3 - Nations Stream to Zion")). Ultimately, the verse points to God's sovereign intent to establish His kingdom universally, drawing all peoples into a relationship of awe and worship.

* [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "The Abrahamic Covenant and Universal Blessing")
* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Israel as a Light to the Gentiles")
* [Zechariah 14:9](/zechariah/14-9 "The Lord Will Be King Over All the Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 67:7 challenges believers to re-evaluate the purpose of God's blessings in their lives. It moves us beyond a self-centered view of prosperity to a missional understanding: God blesses "us" so that "all the ends of the earth" might come to know and fear Him. This means our spiritual gifts, material resources, relational networks, and even our personal peace and joy are not solely for our comfort but are divine instruments for God's global glory. We are called to live as living testimonies to God's goodness, allowing His light to shine through us in such a way that it draws others to Him. This verse compels us to pray not only for personal and communal blessing but also with a fervent heart for the nations, desiring that every corner of the globe would acknowledge and worship the one true God. It is a powerful reminder that our individual flourishing is inextricably linked to God's universal redemptive plan, urging us to participate actively in making His name known.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my understanding of God's blessing align with or diverge from the missional purpose articulated in Psalm 67:7?**
* **In what tangible ways can I steward the blessings God has given me to contribute to His glory being known among "all the ends of the earth"?**
* **What specific actions can I take to cultivate a heart that desires the universal recognition of God's sovereignty, rather than just personal or national prosperity?**
* **How does the concept of "fearing" God in this verse translate into practical reverence and worship in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**What does "fear him" mean in the context of "all the ends of the earth shall fear him"?**

Answer: In this context, "fear him" (Hebrew: _yare_) does not primarily mean terror or dread, but rather a profound sense of awe, reverence, and worshipful submission. It signifies a recognition of God's immense power, holiness, and supreme authority, leading to a proper response of honor, obedience, and adoration. For "all the ends of the earth" to "fear him" means that all nations will ultimately acknowledge Him as the one true God, turning from idolatry and false worship to worship Him in truth and spirit. This is the "fear of the Lord" that is described as the beginning of wisdom in [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom"), a foundational concept in biblical theology.

**How does God's blessing on "us" lead to "all the ends of the earth" fearing Him?**

Answer: The psalmist understands God's blessing on His people as a visible demonstration of His power, goodness, and faithfulness. When God's people prosper—whether spiritually, materially, or socially—it serves as a tangible witness to the world of the reality and benevolence of the God they serve. This visible blessing acts as a magnet, drawing the attention of other nations and prompting them to inquire about the source of such favor. It is through the testimony of a blessed people that God's "way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations" ([Psalm 67:2](/psalms/67-2 "Psalm 67:2 - God's Way Known to All Nations")). This aligns with the Abrahamic covenant, where God blessed Abraham so that he would be a blessing to "all families of the earth" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "The Abrahamic Covenant")). The blessing is not an end in itself, but a means to a greater, universal missional purpose.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 67:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The blessing promised to "us" (Israel) and its subsequent universal impact is perfectly embodied and extended through the person and work of the Messiah. Jesus is the ultimate "blessing" to humanity, the one through whom God's "saving health" is made known to "all nations" ([Psalm 67:2](/psalms/67-2 "Psalm 67:2 - God's Way Known to All Nations")). His life, death, and resurrection constitute the supreme act of divine favor, establishing a new covenant through His blood that extends God's blessing beyond ethnic Israel to all who believe, regardless of their background ([Galatians 3:14](/galatians/3-14 "Galatians 3:14 - Blessing of Abraham Through Christ")). The "fear" (reverence and worship) that "all the ends of the earth shall fear him" is now directed towards Christ, who is God incarnate, worthy of all adoration ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus")). The Great Commission, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), is the New Testament expression of this psalm's missional vision, empowering believers, through the Holy Spirit, to carry the good news of God's blessing in Christ to every tribe and tongue, ensuring that indeed, "all the ends of the earth" will ultimately bow in reverent awe before the Lamb of God ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - Multitude from Every Nation Worships 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 22:27

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Isaiah 45:22

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.

Acts 13:26

Men [and] brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

Psalms 65:5

[By] terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; [who art] the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off [upon] the sea:

Genesis 12:2

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Genesis 12:3

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Revelation 15:4

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.