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Psalm 67 · a question people ask

Is Psalm 67 the priests' blessing from Numbers 6?

In the text

Not word for word, and the psalm doesn't say it is. In Numbers the LORD tells Moses to say to Aaron and his sons, "This is how you shall bless the children of Israel" (Numbers 6:23), and the blessing runs, "The LORD bless you, and keep you. The LORD make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up his face toward you, and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26). Psalm 67 prays, "May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us" (67:1). Four of its Hebrew words are the blessing's: the verbs for be merciful (Numbers' be gracious), bless and shine, and his face. But the psalm says God, not the LORD; it says us, not you; its order is different; and it has nothing of keep, lift up or peace. It doesn't name a priest, and it doesn't say who is praying. The chapter on Numbers 6 sets the two side by side too.

The verses

“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘This is how you shall bless the children of Israel.’ You shall tell them, ‘The LORD bless you, and keep you. The LORD make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.’”
Numbers 6:22-26 · World English Bible
“For the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. Selah.”
Psalm 67:1 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 67

Psalm 67: Let all the peoples praise you

Psalm 67:1 prays with four Hebrew words from the priests' blessing (Numbers 6:24-25) over "us", and the next verse says what the blessing is for: "That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations" (67:2).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions