Psalms 103:20

KJV

Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

KJV (with Strong's)

Bless {H1288} the LORD {H3068}, ye his angels {H4397}, that excel {H1368} in strength {H3581}, that do {H6213} his commandments {H1697}, hearkening {H8085} unto the voice {H6963} of his word {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Bless ADONAI, you angels of his, you mighty warriors who obey his word, who carry out his orders!

Berean Standard Bible

Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength who carry out His word, who hearken to the voice of His command.

American Standard Version

Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 103:20 stands as a profound declaration within David's majestic hymn of praise, extending the call to worship beyond humanity to include the celestial hosts. This verse specifically commands God's angels to bless the Lord, highlighting their intrinsic nature as beings of unparalleled strength and their unwavering, perfect obedience to the divine will. It underscores the universal scope of God's dominion and the inherent power of His spoken word, to which even the mightiest heavenly beings respond with immediate and complete compliance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 103 is a magnificent composition by David, a deeply personal yet universally applicable hymn of praise for God's merciful character, forgiveness, and enduring love. It begins with a heartfelt, intimate call to self-worship in [Psalm 103:1](/psalms/103-1 "Psalm 103:1 - My Soul Bless the LORD"), recounting the numerous benefits God bestows upon the individual believer. The psalm then broadens its scope, moving from personal blessings to God's covenant faithfulness to Israel and His universal dominion over all creation. Verse 20 serves as a pivotal transition, expanding the chorus of praise beyond the human realm to invite the angelic hosts, demonstrating that God's sovereignty extends to the highest heavens. This inclusion of heavenly beings sets the stage for the psalm's triumphant conclusion in [Psalm 103:22](/psalms/103-22 "Psalm 103:22 - Let All Creation Bless the LORD"), where all creation, visible and invisible, is summoned to bless the Lord, culminating in a grand, cosmic crescendo of adoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite thought, angels (Hebrew: _mal'akhim_) were understood not merely as messengers but as powerful divine agents, often depicted as members of God's heavenly court. They served as executors of God's decrees, guardians, and sometimes even as divine warriors. The concept of a heavenly host praising God was well-established, as seen in accounts like [Isaiah 6:1-3](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1-3 - Seraphim in God's Throne Room") or [Revelation 4:8](/revelation/4-8 "Revelation 4:8 - Four Living Creatures Worship God"). This psalm, likely intended for public or private worship, draws upon this understanding to emphasize God's supreme authority over all realms. The cultural emphasis on obedience to a sovereign's word in the ancient Near East further illuminates the significance of angels "hearkening unto the voice of his word," signifying not just hearing, but immediate and perfect compliance to an authoritative command, reflecting the ultimate order of God's creation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully asserts God's supreme authority and dominion over all creation, including the most powerful celestial beings. It demonstrates that even angels, who "excel in strength," are entirely subject to His command and exist solely to fulfill His purposes. Their very existence and function are expressions of God's absolute rule, reinforcing the truth that His kingdom rules over all, as stated elsewhere in [Psalm 103](/psalms/103 "Psalm 103 - A Psalm of Praise for God's Goodness"). The verse describes angels as beings of extraordinary power ("excel in strength") and perfect, unwavering obedience. They are not independent agents but willing and immediate executors of God's decrees. Their primary role is to serve God, carry out His word, and participate in the cosmic chorus of praise, highlighting their ministering spirit nature as seen in [Hebrews 1:14](/hebrews/1-14 "Hebrews 1:14 - Angels as Ministering Spirits"). The phrase "hearkening unto the voice of his word" profoundly underscores that God's spoken word is not merely information or suggestion but carries inherent power, authority, and efficacy. It is a living, active force to which even mighty angels respond instantly and perfectly. This theme resonates with the creative power of God's word in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and its sustaining power throughout the cosmos. Psalm 103:20 expands the chorus of praise for God beyond human beings to explicitly include the heavenly hosts. This illustrates that all creation, visible and invisible, rational and non-rational, is called to glorify the Creator. It paints a magnificent picture of a universe united in adoration, echoing the call in [Psalm 148](/psalms/148 "Psalm 148 - A Call for All Creation to Praise the LORD") for all elements of creation to praise the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angels (Hebrew, _mal'akhim_):** This term literally means "messengers" or "emissaries." While their role as messengers is significant (e.g., Gabriel in [Luke 1:19](/luke/1-19 "Luke 1:19 - Gabriel's Self-Introduction")), in Psalm 103:20, the emphasis shifts to their active obedience and power as divine agents. They are not just bearers of messages but powerful executors of God's will, serving as His heavenly host.
* **Excel in strength (Hebrew, _gibborim koach_):** This phrase translates to "mighty in strength" or "powerful ones." It highlights the inherent supernatural ability and immense power of these celestial beings. Their strength is not merely physical but encompasses a spiritual might that enables them to perform God's commands with unparalleled effectiveness and without hindrance, as exemplified by the angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrians in one night ([2 Kings 19:35](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35 - The Angel of the LORD Destroys the Assyrian Army")).
* **Hearkening unto the voice of his word (Hebrew, _shome'im b'qol devaro_):** This phrase conveys more than just passive hearing. It implies an attentive, immediate, and complete compliance to God's spoken command. The "voice of his word" emphasizes the active, authoritative, and living nature of God's utterance. Angels do not merely listen; they respond with perfect and instant obedience, demonstrating the absolute authority and power inherent in God's divine pronouncements.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Bless the LORD, ye his angels":** This is a direct imperative, an **apostrophe**, where the psalmist calls upon the heavenly hosts to participate in the act of blessing God. It signifies that praise to the Lord is not limited to humanity but is a cosmic endeavor, involving all creation, visible and invisible. The psalmist, through this command, acknowledges the angels' significant role in the divine order and their capacity for worship.
* **"that excel in strength":** This clause describes a primary characteristic of these angels. They are not weak or limited beings but possess extraordinary, supernatural power. This strength is not their own but is derived from God, enabling them to fulfill their divine assignments with unmatched might and efficacy. It serves to magnify the God whom such powerful beings serve.
* **"that do his commandments":** This phrase highlights the angels' perfect and unwavering obedience. Their immense strength is always channeled into fulfilling God's specific instructions. They are not rebellious or hesitant but are perfectly aligned with the divine will, acting as faithful and immediate executors of God's decrees. This underscores their role as servants of the Most High.
* **"hearkening unto the voice of his word":** This final clause provides the ultimate reason and mechanism for their obedience. Their doing of God's commandments stems from their attentive and immediate response to the very sound or utterance of God's word. It emphasizes the direct, powerful, and authoritative nature of God's speech, to which even the mightiest angels submit without question or delay.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 103:20 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, in this case, God's angels. By directly commanding the angels to "Bless the LORD," the psalmist elevates the scope of worship to a cosmic level, inviting celestial beings to join the human chorus of praise. This also serves as a form of **Emphasis**, highlighting the supreme majesty and worthiness of God 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" uses **Descriptive Imagery** to paint a vivid picture of their nature and function, underscoring their power and perfect obedience. The verse's structure also implies 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 word, creating a comprehensive portrayal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 103:20 offers profound theological insights into the nature of God, 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 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 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.

* [2 Kings 19:35](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35 - The Angel of the LORD Destroys the Assyrian Army")
* [Hebrews 1:14](/hebrews/1-14 "Hebrews 1:14 - Angels as Ministering Spirits")
* [Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - All Creation Worships God and the Lamb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 103:20 presents a compelling 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 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 plans are executed with divine precision, even by beings far superior to us in might. 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, joining the cosmic chorus of praise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the perfect obedience of angels challenge or encourage your own walk of faith and obedience to God's word?**
* **What comfort or conviction do you draw from the knowledge that God's powerful angels are constantly "doing his commandments" and "hearkening unto the voice of his word"?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might you need to "hearken more diligently unto the voice of His word" and act in prompt obedience?**
* **How does the psalmist's call for angels to bless the Lord expand your understanding of worship and God's universal dominion?**

### 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.

**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, 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](/matthew/6-10 "Matthew 6:10 - Thy Will Be Done")).

**Are angels free to disobey God?**

Answer: While angels possess free will, as evidenced by the fall of Satan and other demons, Psalm 103:20 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 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.

### 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, the New Testament unequivocally declares Christ's 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](/hebrews/1 "Hebrews 1 - Christ Superior to Angels")). 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](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). 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 temptation ([Matthew 4:11](/matthew/4-11 "Matthew 4:11 - Angels Minister to Jesus")) and in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:43](/luke/22-43 "Luke 22:43 - An Angel Strengthens Jesus")), demonstrating their submission to Him. 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" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Will Bow to Jesus")). The perfect obedience of angels to God's word foreshadows the absolute authority of the Son, before whom all creation will ultimately bow in worship and perfect submission.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 1:14

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Psalms 148:2

Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

Luke 1:19

And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

Matthew 26:53

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

2 Kings 19:35

¶ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.

Luke 2:13

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.