Psalm 67

Introduction
Welcome to Torah Today Ministries, our continuing series Tehillim Talks, our studies in the Psalms. I am especially excited to get to Psalm 67, which of all 150 Psalms is utterly unique in a particular way.

Just to give you an idea, you can search for Psalm 67 Menorah online. You will find dozens, if not hundreds, of graphics of Menorahs made up of Hebrew words—lines of Hebrew words. And believe it or not, the words in these Menorah patterns are the words of Psalm 67. So it won’t surprise you that Psalm 67 is well known as the Menorah Psalm.

I have a beautiful piece of artwork from Israel: an artist arranged the verses of Psalm 67 to make this Menorah, a very popular motif among Sephardic Jews. If you buy a prayer book, Ashkenazic or Sephardic, many include this on the inside cover.

We just finished celebrating Shavuot (Pentecost), which comes 50 days after Passover. The 49 days between are called the counting of the Omer. Each day you count, then traditionally read Psalm 67.

Reading Psalm 67

To the choir master, with stringed instruments, a Psalm, a song.

Verse 1: May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make His face to shine upon us.
Pause here. Does this remind you of the Aaronic Blessing? Exactly. May He bless you, keep you, and make His face shine upon you.

Verse 2: That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
The reason for the blessing in verse 1 is revealed here: so that God’s light, grace, and blessing can extend to all nations.

Verse 3: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

Verse 4: Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon the earth.

Verse 5: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

Verse 6: The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.

Verse 7: God shall bless us, and let all the ends of the earth fear Him.

Menorah Pattern in Psalm 67

• Verse 1 → leftmost arm
• Verse 2 → next arm
• Verse 3 → third arm
• Verse 4 → middle stalk
• Verse 5 → mirrored with verse 3
• Verse 6 → sixth arm
• Verse 7 → rightmost arm

Verse 4 is the longest and holds the central position like the middle stalk of a Menorah. Verses 3 and 5 are identical, reflecting symmetry in the Menorah’s arms.

Hebrew words can be arranged visually on the branches of a Menorah. The top horizontal words—to the choir master, with stringed instruments, a Psalm, a song—are broken into groups to resemble flames. God’s name, Yad Hei Vav Hei, is often placed prominently above the Menorah, surrounded by the verse Shivati Yad Hei Vav Hei L’Negdi Tamid(Psalm 16:8).

Symbolism

Psalm 67 caps off Psalms 64, 65, and 66. Its theme is God sending His light and word to the entire world. The Jewish people are called to be a light to the nations.

Verse 2 emphasizes purpose: that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. As a follower of Yeshua, I can pray this: “God, bless me so I can be a light to those around me.”

Verses 3–5 repeat the call for all peoples (Gentiles, nations) to praise God. Verse 6 notes the harvest: barley at Passover and wheat at Shavuot. The Book of Ruth is read at Shavuot as a story of ingathering and the Lord of the Harvest.

Isaiah 2:2–3 is linked: It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of Adonai shall be established as the highest of the mountains… and all the nations shall flow to it… For out of Zion shall go forth the Torah and the word of Adonai from Jerusalem. The prophecy points to the nations coming to learn God’s Torah and ways.

Menorah Word Counts

• Verse 1 → 7 words
• Verse 2 → 6 words
• Verse 3 → 6 words
• Verse 4 → 11 words
• Verse 5 → 6 words
• Verse 6 → 6 words
• Verse 7 → 7 words

[Gematria Link]

• Symbolically, 49 (7×7) represents completeness or perfection.
• The Psalm distributes God’s blessing and light to all nations, reflecting the work of Ruach (רוּחַ, “Spirit”)—spreading light and order.

Observations

• The symmetry of words mirrors the Menorah pattern.
• Central verse (4) acts as the structural stalk.
• Verses 3 and 5 mirror each other, reinforcing balance.
• Each branch aligns with the spiritual mission: extending God’s light to all nations.

Psalm 67 is read daily during the Omer count, emphasizing the harvest of faith and light, both literally and spiritually. The Psalm is a beautiful, structured, and meaningful composition showing God’s blessing, guidance, and plan for the nations.

Conclusion
Psalm 67 is the Menorah Psalm, celebrating the day when God’s light shines through His Torah and Spirit to the whole world. Every word, structure, and symmetry reflects His plan to bring blessing, guidance, and revelation to all nations. It’s a remarkable Psalm, a remarkable God.

Shalom, and may God bless you.