What does "all the ends of the earth will fear Him" signify for believers? Setting of Psalm 67 • Psalm 67 is a congregational song that begins with a plea: “May God be gracious to us and bless us” (v. 1). • Its structure links personal blessing to global impact: God’s favor on His people is meant to make His “way known on earth, His salvation among all nations” (v. 2). • The climax appears in verse 7: “God blesses us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him.” “All the ends of the earth” – Universal Reach • Refers to every geographic region, ethnicity, and culture—no corner is excluded. • Echoes God’s covenant promise to Abraham that “all the families of the earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). • Reinforced throughout Scripture: – Psalm 22:27 “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD.” – Isaiah 45:22 “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.” – Revelation 7:9 “A great multitude… from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.” • For believers: our faith is never provincial; God’s redemptive plan is global, and His glory is destined to fill the whole world (Habakkuk 2:14). “Will fear Him” – Reverent Awe, Not Cringing Terror • “Fear” in biblical usage often means profound reverence, worshipful submission, and acknowledgment of God’s sovereign rule (Proverbs 9:10). • The phrase implies: – Recognition of God’s holiness and power. – Joyful submission to His righteous authority (Psalm 96:9). – Turning from idols to the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). • For believers: the end goal of mission is not mere information transfer but heartfelt, obedient worship among all peoples. Why This Matters for Believers Today • Confidence in God’s Plan – The verse guarantees that the gospel will succeed; history is moving toward universal acknowledgment of Christ’s lordship (Philippians 2:10-11). • Motivation for Mission – Christ commissions His followers to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Our witness is the means God uses to bring about the promised worldwide reverence. • Assurance of Blessing – God blesses His people so they can be a blessing. Material, spiritual, and relational gifts are tools for making His name known. • Call to Holy Living – Living in the fear of the LORD personally models the reverence God intends to cultivate globally (Acts 9:31). • Hope for the Future – When headlines breed anxiety, Psalm 67:7 reminds us that the final word belongs to God, not to geopolitical powers or cultural currents (Psalm 72:17-19). Living in Light of Psalm 67:7 • Cultivate reverent worship daily—private and corporate. • Pray for and support gospel work among unreached peoples (Acts 13:47). • Steward blessings—time, talent, resources—for God’s worldwide fame. • Celebrate every evidence of the nations coming to Christ; it is fulfillment in real time of “all the ends of the earth will fear Him.” |
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