Translation: ESV
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us, Selah
God's face shining on us is an expression of his presence and grace.
▸The Aaronic Blessing of Numbers 6:24-26 is the foundation of this psalm.
The Aaronic Blessing of Numbers 6:24-26 is the foundation of this psalm. God's face shining on us signifies God's presence and grace. This blessing was received by Israel, but as verse 2 shows, its purpose is directed toward all the world.
that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
The grace of God received by Israel is meant for making God's salvation known to all the world.
▸The purpose of Israel receiving God's grace is declared: not for their own blessing but to make God's ways and salvation known to all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
Praise directed toward God is not limited to Israel but is universal worship in which all peoples must participate.
▸This refrain, repeated in verse 5, is the central prayer of this psalm.
God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!
God's blessing does not end with those who receive it but has a circular mission of creating those who fear God to the ends of the earth.
▸The psalm's conclusion connects God's blessing with reverent fear reaching to the ends of the earth.