David saw a picture of the world in an optimistic way. He saw a world where all nations lived at peace with each other, where all nations worshiped God (the same God), where God governed all nations with justice, where there was plenty to eat, and where people were happy. Was this just wishful thinking or a real possibility?
This psalm has two separate parts. In verses 2-5, David prayed to God asking for a world-wide awakening. “May Your ways be known throughout the earth, Your saving power among people everywhere.” This sounds very evangelical, but is there any reason to think God would answer this prayer?
In Genesis 12, we are told that when God first called Abraham He told Abraham, “I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. . .All the families of the earth will be blessed through you“. How would all the families of the earth be blessed through Abraham? Paul answers that question in Galatians 3:6-9 by telling us it would be by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Other scriptures that reference this blessing are found in Luke 2:14 and John 3:16-17. In addition, Isaiah 2:2-4 gives a beautiful picture of what the world will be like when David’s prayer is answered. Later in his life, John had a vision of heaven and he saw certain people bowing before the Lord Jesus Christ who (the people) “sang a new song with these words: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and Your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And You have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth’.” Revelation 5:9-10.
The question we must ask ourselves is does God expect us to participate with Him in bringing this into reality? Suggested reading: Acts 1-7.