2026 Pentecost Devotions II
Tuesday, August 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 upon 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, has blessed us.
7 May God continue to bless us;
let all the ends of the earth revere him.
“… 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah …”
The Lord bless you and keep,
The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy,
The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
The Aaronic blessing is a typical benediction in Christian churches. Regardless of denomination or doctrinal background, these words from the book of Numbers serve as a final blessing to the congregation prior to departure. For many churches, it is part of a long tradition.
The psalmist echoes these words in the form of a prayer imploring the Lord to be gracious and merciful. It asks the Almighty to bestow a rich blessing upon the people. It calls upon the Most Hight to look with favor on those who call upon the name of the Lord – to shine the light of peace and joy upon those whom God loves.
What better blessing could be asked? What the psalmist proclaims throughout the psalm is the richness of God’s grace, the steadfast love with which God loves us, and the abundance of God’s mercy and peace offered. In the midst of a time when harsh and hurtful words are spoken even by the most revered, hearing words of blessing, of graciousness, and of peace are refreshing. They are a reminder that our Lord doesn’t follow the customs of the day but continues to see and respond with loving words and a blessed countenance.
Prayer: Almighty God, may Your blessings, Your peace, and Your love abound in the world and in my life today and always. Amen.