Psalm 67: A word in season

Traditionally, observant Jews recite Psalm 67 daily in this period of counting the omer (grain sheaves), from Pesach/Passover to Shavuot/Pentecost. Apart from the title line, Psalm 67 has seven verses and 49 words in Hebrew, corresponding to the seven weeks and 49 days of counting the omer: one word to contemplate per day and one verse per week.

Particularly striking is the psalm's echo of the priestly blessing in verse 1 (using the common English numbering, which ignores the superscription). Verses 2-7 form a symmetry that hinges on v4b, the climax, of God judging (governing) the peoples of the earth fairly. Moving out from the centre, verses 4a and c speak of the nations. Verses 3 and 5 are the same: the peoples praise God. Verses 2 and 6 speak of the earth, and verses1 and 7 assure us of God's blessing. So the whole song is mirrored on the middle (a chiasm/chiasmus), like a mountain reflected in a lake.

Another interesting feature is the psalmist's deliberate use of three different, but closely related, words: goyim (nations), amim (peoples), and l'ummim (nations). This makes Psalm 67 especially suitable for mixed multitudes to join together with Israel in praising God who has indeed made his salvation known among all nations through his Anointed One, Yeshua (Jesus) himself! Like a Passover lamb, he was executed on Passover day. God resurrected him on the third day, the Festival of Firstfruits; as Paul wrote that Messiah's resurrection is the firstfruits of those who have "fallen asleep"—there is a great harvest (resurrection of the righteous dead) yet to come when he returns! On the fiftieth day (Pentecost), God poured out his Holy Spirit on the disciples of Yeshua in the temple (the [Holy] House) where they were gathered. Now God's salvation has been proclaimed in every nation, as the psalmist anticipated. Yet we still await the fulness of his Kingdom, when he shall reign through Messiah, judging all nations with fairness. May he bring it speedily and soon, and in our days, Amen!

A Pentecost on Passover?

The first person to speak in tongues in the famous Azusa Street Revival did so on 9 April 1906. This was the 14th day of Nisan, that is, Passover. (Use https://www.hebcal.com/converter to check.) Just a fluke, or truly an appointed time? Yet the Pentecostal renewal in 1906 didn't come easily; extended and fervent fasting and prayer led up to it.

The history seems all the more pertinent for my home country (and many others) when we consider that the Revival came through the preaching of an African American, William Seymour—an object of ethnic prejudice in his time. And there seems rich irony in that Seymour was blind in one eye; he could "see" better than his contemporaries what the unseen God wanted to do!

May the LORD strengthen us to seek Him wholeheartedly in our days, and at the imminent Passover, that we too may be refreshed by his Holy Breath!