Sometimes the Old Testament Jews could properly be accused of parochialism regarding their faith and especially God. The scope of their vision was often that God was Israel's - and everybody else could just mind their own business. Yet occasionally a broader picture breaks through and emerges of the Lord truly being the God for everybody, Jew and Gentile alike. This wider vision is captured beautifully in Psalm 67.
The psalm begins with an echo of the Aaronic blessing: "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us" (vs. 1) compares with "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you..." (Numbers 6:24-25)
But rather than focusing only on the blessing for Israel's benefit, it is clear that, in this Psalm, the edification of the whole world is in view. "That your way may be known upon the earth, your saving power among all nations" (vs. 2).
We then hear that "the peoples, all the peoples" should praise God, in verse 3 and then again in verse 5. "Nations" and "earth" also appear numerous times in this brief psalm of 7 verses. Clearly, the worldwide mass of humanity is in mind here, and they all are called upon to worship God.
God is not just Israel's God; He is the God for everybody!
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