TRV
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 103 verses 19–22
Here is, I. The doctrine of universal providence laid down, Psa 103:19. He has secured the happiness of his peculiar people by promise and covenant, but the order of mankind, and the world in general, he secures by common providence. The Lord has a throne of his own, a throne of glory, a throne of government. He that made all rules all, and both by a word of power: He has prepared his throne, has fixed and established it that it cannot be shaken; he has afore-ordained all the measures of his government and does all according to the counsel of his own will. He has prepared it in the heavens, above us, and out of sight; for he holds back the face of his throne, and spreads a cloud upon it (Job 26:9); yet he can himself judge through the dark cloud, Job 22:13. Hence the heavens are said to rule (Dan 4:26), and we are led to consider this by the influence which even the visible heavens have upon this earth, their dominion, Job 38:33; Gen 1:16. But though God's throne is in heaven, and there he keeps his court, and thither we are to direct to him (Our Father who art in heaven), yet his kingdom rules over all. He takes cognizance of all the inhabitants, and all the affairs, of this lower world, and disposes all persons and things according to the counsel of his will, to his own glory (Dan 4:35): His kingdom rules over all kings and all kingdoms, and from it there is no exempt jurisdiction.
II. The duty of universal praise inferred from it: if all are under God's dominion, all must do him homage.
1.Let the holy angels praise him (Psa 103:20, Psa 103:21): Bless the Lord, you his angels; and again, Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you ministers of his. David had been stirring up himself and others to praise God, and here, in the close, he calls upon the angels to do it; not as if they needed any excitement of ours to praise God, they do it continually; but thus he expresses his high thoughts of God as worthy of the adorations of the holy angels, thus he quickens himself and others to the duty with this consideration, That it is the work of angels, and comforts himself in reference to his own weakness and defect in the performance of this duty with this consideration, That there is a world of holy angels who dwell in God's house and are still praising him. In short, the blessed angels are glorious attendants upon the blessed God. Observe, (1.) How well qualified they are for the post they are in. They are able; for they excel in strength; they are mighty in strength (so the word is); they are able to bring great things to pass, and to abide in their work without weariness. And they are as willing as they are able; they are willing to know their work; for they hearken to the voice of his word; they stand expecting commission and instructions from their great Lord, and always behold his face (Mat 18:10), that they may take the first intimation of his mind. They are willing to do their work: They do his commandments (Psa 103:20); they do his pleasure (Psa 103:21); they dispute not any divine commands, but readily address themselves to the execution of them. Nor do they delay, but fly swiftly: They do his commandments at hearing, or as soon as they hear the voice of his word; so Dr. Hammond. To obey is better than sacrifice; for angels obey, but do not sacrifice. (2.) What their service is. They are his angels, and ministers of his - his, for he made them, and made them for himself - his, for he employs them, though he does not need them - his, for he is their owner and Lord; they belong to him and he has them at his beck. All the creatures are his servants, but not as the angels that attend the presence of his glory. Soldiers, and seamen, and all good subjects, serve the king, but not as the courtiers do, the ministers of state and those of the household. [1.] The angels occasionally serve God in this lower world; they do his commandments, go on his errands (Dan 9:21), fight his battles (Kg2 6:17), and minister for the good of his people, Heb 1:14. [2.] They continually praise him in the upper world; they began betimes to do it (Job 38:7), and it is still their business, from which they rest not day nor night, Rev 4:8. It is God's glory that he has such attendants, but more his glory that he neither needs them nor is benefited by them.
2.Let all his works praise him (Psa 103:22), all in all places of his dominion; for, because they are his works, they are under his dominion, and they were made and are ruled that they may be unto him for a name and a praise. All his works, that is, all the children of men, in all parts of the world, let them all praise God; yea, and the inferior creatures too, which are God's works also; let them praise him objectively, though they cannot praise him actually, Psa 145:10. Yet all this shall not excuse David from praising God, but rather excite him to do it the more cheerfully, that he may bear a part in this concert; for he concludes, Bless the Lord, O my soul! as he began, Psa 103:1. Blessing God and giving him glory must be the alpha and the omega of all our services. He began with Bless the Lord, O my soul! and, when he had penned and sung this excellent hymn to his honour, he does not say, Now, O my soul! thou hast blessed the Lord, sit down, and rest thee, but, Bless the Lord, O my soul! yet more and more. When we have done ever so much in the service of God, yet still we must stir up ourselves to do more. God's praise is a subject that will never be exhausted, and therefore we must never think this work done till we come to heaven, where it will be for ever in the doing.
“Your will be done on earth as in heaven.” God’s divine and blessed angels do the will of God, as David said in the psalm, “Bless the Lord, all his angels, mighty in strength, that do his pleasure.” So then in effect this is what you mean when you pray, “as in the angels your will is done, so likewise be it done on earth by human beings, O Lord.”
Under “thrones” [Paul] includes the cherubim, giving them this Greek name, as more intelligible than the Hebrew name for them. He knew that “God sits upon the cherubim,” and so he calls these powers the thrones of him who sits on them. In the same way there are included in the list of Isaiah’s seraphim, by whom the mystery of the Trinity was clearly proclaimed, when they uttered that marvelous cry “holy,” being awestruck with the beauty in each person of the Trinity. They are named under the title of “powers” both by the great Paul and by the prophet David—the latter says, “Bless you the Lord all you his powers, you ministers of his that do his pleasure,” and Isaiah instead of saying “Bless you” has written the very words of their blessing, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory,” and he has revealed by what one of the seraphim did [to him] that these powers are ministers that do God’s pleasure, effecting the “purging of sin” according to the will of him who sent them: for this is the ministry of these spiritual beings, namely, to be sent forth for the salvation of those who are being saved.
"Bless ye the Lord, you Angels of His, you that are mighty in strength: ye that fulfil His word" [Psalm 103:20]. By the word of God, then, you are not righteous, nor faithful, unless when thou dost it. "You that are mighty in strength, you that fulfil His commandment, and hearken unto the voice of His words."
Continue studying Psalms 103:20 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Psalm 103:20 serves as a majestic climax within David's hymn of praise, extending the call to worship beyond the human realm to encompass the celestial hosts. This verse specifically commands God's angels to bless the Lord, underscoring their inherent nature as beings of unparalleled strength and their unwavering, perfect obedience to the divine will. It highlights the universal scope of God's dominion and the inherent power and authority of His spoken word, to which even the mightiest heavenly beings respond with immediate and complete compliance, thus demonstrating a cosmic symphony of adoration.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 103:20 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message of cosmic praise and divine authority. The most prominent is Apostrophe, a direct address to an absent or personified entity, here exemplified by the psalmist's command to "Bless the LORD, ye his angels." This direct appeal to celestial beings expands the scope of worship to a cosmic dimension, inviting heavenly hosts to join the human chorus of praise. This also serves as a powerful form of Emphasis, underscoring God's supreme majesty and His worthiness to receive adoration from all levels of creation. Furthermore, the description of angels as those "that excel in strength" and "that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word" utilizes rich Descriptive Imagery. This imagery paints a vivid picture of their nature and function, highlighting their immense power and perfect obedience. The verse's structure also exhibits a form of Parallelism in describing the angels' attributes, moving from their inherent strength to their active obedience, and finally to the source of that obedience in God's authoritative word, thereby creating a comprehensive and compelling portrayal of their divine service.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 103:20 offers profound theological insights into the nature of God, the order of His creation, and the universal call to worship. It powerfully asserts God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that His dominion extends not only over humanity and the physical world but also over the most powerful spiritual beings. The perfect and immediate obedience of angels to God's word serves as a divine standard, highlighting the inherent authority and efficacy of God's decrees. It reminds us that there is a vast, unseen spiritual realm that operates in perfect alignment with God's will, offering both comfort in God's ultimate control and a humbling challenge to human beings to emulate such obedience. This verse also expands our understanding of worship, revealing it as a cosmic activity in which all creation participates, uniting heaven and earth in glorifying the Creator, a testament to His all-encompassing reign.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 103:20 presents a compelling and inspiring model for human faith and obedience. If God's powerful angels, who "excel in strength," perfectly and immediately obey His word, how much more should we, who are created in His image, recipients of His boundless grace, and beneficiaries of His redemptive love, strive to "hearken unto His voice and do His commandments"? This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's immense power and the vast, unseen forces that serve Him, offering both profound comfort in His sovereign control and a humbling call to align our wills with His. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of attentive listening to God's word and prompt obedience, knowing that His divine plans are executed with absolute precision, even by beings far superior to us in might and wisdom. Ultimately, like the angels, our highest calling and greatest joy are found in blessing the Lord and living in perfect submission to His revealed will, thereby joining the cosmic chorus of praise that resonates throughout creation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the primary role of angels according to Psalm 103:20?
Answer: According to Psalm 103:20, the primary role of angels is to "do his commandments" and to act in perfect obedience by "hearkening unto the voice of his word." This verse emphasizes their function as powerful, obedient agents who execute God's will and participate in His praise. They are not independent beings but are entirely devoted to serving God's purposes, demonstrating their strength in carrying out His divine decrees and responding with immediate compliance to His authoritative pronouncements.
How does the obedience of angels in this verse relate to human obedience?
Answer: The perfect and immediate obedience of angels, who are described as excelling in strength, serves as a profound example and challenge for human obedience. If such mighty beings submit entirely to God's word, it underscores the expectation for humanity, created in God's image and called to relationship with Him, to also "do His commandments" and "hearken unto His voice." While human obedience is often imperfect due to our fallen nature, the angelic model inspires a striving for greater faithfulness and responsiveness to God's will, as Jesus himself taught us to pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).
Are angels free to disobey God?
Answer: While angels, as created beings, possess free will—as evidenced by the rebellion of Satan and other fallen angels—Psalm 103:20 specifically describes God's faithful angels as those who "do his commandments" and are "hearkening unto the voice of his word." This verse focuses on the obedient angels who remain in God's service. For these holy angels, their freedom is expressed in their unwavering choice to perfectly align with God's will, demonstrating a complete and joyful submission to His authority. The concept of "hearkening" implies a willing and immediate compliance, indicating that their obedience is not forced but a characteristic of their holy nature and devotion to their Creator.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 103:20, with its depiction of powerful angels perfectly obeying God's word, finds its ultimate fulfillment and illumination in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While angels are mighty servants of God, the New Testament unequivocally declares Christ's inherent superiority over all angelic beings, stating that He is "much better than the angels" and that all angels are commanded to worship Him (Hebrews 1). Jesus Himself is the very embodiment of God's "word," the eternal Logos through whom all things were made and are sustained (John 1:1-3). Thus, the angels who "hearken unto the voice of his word" are, in essence, hearkening to the very person of Christ, who is the living Word of God. Furthermore, angels ministered to Jesus during His earthly life, strengthening Him after His temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11) and in the agony of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), demonstrating their submission to His authority. Ultimately, the universal call for all creation, including angels, to bless the Lord culminates in the worship of Christ, for "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11). The perfect obedience of angels to God's word foreshadows the absolute and ultimate authority of the Son, before whom all creation will ultimately bow in worship and perfect submission.