Read Psalm 67 at Bible Gateway.
This psalm forms a chiastic structure:
Psa 67
1a) Psa 67:1, God be merciful to us and bless us + cause His face to shine upon us;
1b) Psa 67:2, That Your way + Your salvation may be known on earth;
1c) Psa 67:3, Let the peoples praise You, O God;
central axis) Psa 67:4, “Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth;”
2c) Psa 67:5, Let the peoples praise You, O God;
2b) Psa 67:6a, Then the earth shall yield her increase;
2a) Psa 67:6b-7, God shall bless us + ends of the earth shall fear Him.
So many of the psalms have Messianic prophecies as their central axis! With this one, we see that God’s blessing will rest upon us and His face will shine upon us, as the ends of the earth come to fear Him. Fear of God, in other words, is not an evil or bad thing! It is the beginning of wisdom! Having careful regard for Him and for obedience to His commandments opens doors of blessing for the earth.
Righteous judgment and just government, furthermore, causes joy to increase in the earth and in the nations who are learning His ways and His salvation!
“Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Rom 14:16-17
Righteousness is intertwined with peace and joy in the kingdom of God. There cannot be peace and joy, without righteousness, just as there cannot be true righteousness without peace and joy! Righteous judgment and just government will come with the reign of Messiah Yeshua as King of kings and Lord of lords! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
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