Psalm 67


Psalm 67 is the 67th psalm from the biblical Book of Psalms. In the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in its Latin translation in the Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 66 in a slightly different numbering system.

Uses

Judaism

Saint Benedict of Nursia selected this psalm as the first psalm of the solemn office at the Sunday laudes..In a certain number of abbeys which maintain tradition, this Sunday service always begins with it. Saint Benedict also asked to perform this psalm during the laudes of the week. However, other psalms later replaced Psalm 66, with the exception of Sunday, so that all 150 psalms are read weekly.
Psalm 67 often appears in the Catholic liturgy. It is one of the four invitatory prayers of the daily office, and is recited at the Vespers of Wednesday of the second week, 8 and at the Lauds of the Tuesday of the third week.
It is read at several Masses throughout the year: because of its theme of universality of grace rendered to God, it is proposed on the Friday of the third week of Advent, and in the octave of the nativity of the St. Mary. It is also found on the 20th Sunday of the year A9, the 6th Sunday of Easter of the year C and the Wednesday of the 4th week of Easter.

Anglican Church

It may be recited as a canticle in the Anglican liturgy of Evening Prayer according to the Book of Common Prayer as an alternative to the Nunc dimittis, when it is referred to by its incipit as the Deus misereatur.
One English hymn paraphrase of this psalm is "God of mercy, God of grace" by Henry Francis Lyte, generally sung to the tune "Heathlands" by Henry Smart.

Lutheran Church

Also of note is Martin Luther's paraphrase, "Es woll uns Gott genädig sein", used particularly in Lutheran churches. In earlier hymnbooks this was set to the old chorale tune "Es wolle Gott uns gnädig sein", but the new Lutheran Service Book also provides a newer tune, "Elvet Banks".

Musical settings

Musical settings of Psalm 67 were composed by Samuel Adler, Charles Ives and Thomas Tallis.