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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.
"Bless ye the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion" [Psalm 103:22]. Therefore in every place. Let Him not be blessed where He rules not: "in all places of His dominion." Let no man perchance say: I cannot praise the Lord in the East, because He has departed unto the West; or, I cannot praise Him in the West, because He is in the East. "For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the desert hills. And why? God is the Judge." He is everywhere, in such wise that everywhere He may be praised: He is in such wise on every side, that we may be joyful in Him on every side: He is in such wise blessed on every side, that on every side we may live well...."In every place of His dominion: bless thou the Lord, O my soul!" The last verse is the same as the first: blessing is at the head of the Psalm, blessing at the end; from blessing we set out, to blessing let us return, in blessing let us reign.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 103:22 serves as a magnificent doxological conclusion to a psalm brimming with praise for God's merciful character and sovereign rule. This verse expands the psalmist's initial personal call to worship to encompass all of creation, inviting "all his works" across "all places of his dominion" to join in a universal chorus of adoration, before powerfully reaffirming the individual soul's indispensable role in this cosmic symphony of praise.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 103:22 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Doxology, as the verse serves as a climactic expression of praise and glory directed towards God, concluding the psalm with a resounding declaration of His worthiness. An impactful Inclusio is created by the repetition of the phrase "bless the LORD, O my soul" from the psalm's opening verse Psalm 103:1. This literary bracket frames the entire psalm, emphasizing the personal foundation of praise while expanding its scope. The use of Hyperbole or Universalism is evident in phrases like "all his works" and "in all places of his dominion," which are used to convey the absolute totality and boundless extent of God's creative power and sovereign rule, and thus the comprehensive nature of the praise He deserves. Finally, Apostrophe is present in the direct address "O my soul," where the psalmist speaks directly to his own inner being, urging it to engage fully in the act of worship, making the call to praise deeply personal and introspective.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 103:22 beautifully encapsulates the biblical truth that God's glory is not confined to human worship but is inherently declared by all of creation. This verse underscores the foundational theological concept of God's absolute sovereignty and omnipresence, asserting that His dominion extends over every atom and every corner of the universe. It calls humanity to align its praise with the silent, yet resounding, testimony of the natural world, recognizing that our individual worship is part of a grand, cosmic symphony orchestrated by the Creator. The psalmist's return to "O my soul" reminds us that while God's glory is universal, He still desires and delights in the personal, intentional, and heartfelt adoration of His people, making our individual devotion both a response to His majesty and a unique contribution to the universal chorus.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 103:22 challenges us to expand our understanding of worship beyond personal moments or congregational gatherings, inviting us into a grand, cosmic reality where all creation continually declares God's glory. This verse compels us to cultivate a profound awareness of God's omnipresence and absolute dominion, recognizing that every aspect of our lives, every place we inhabit, and every moment we experience falls within the sphere of His sovereign rule. Therefore, our praise should not be compartmentalized but should permeate our entire existence, transforming our daily activities into acts of worship. When we observe the intricate beauty of a flower, the vastness of the night sky, or the complexity of the human body, we are called to join the silent chorus of creation, acknowledging the Creator's wisdom and power. Yet, amidst this universal praise, the psalmist's final, emphatic return to "bless the LORD, O my soul" serves as a crucial reminder that our individual, intentional, and heartfelt devotion remains paramount. It is a call to engage our entire being—mind, will, and emotions—in a conscious decision to honor and adore God, ensuring that our personal relationship with Him is the wellspring from which our universal praise flows.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How can "all his works" or inanimate creation "bless" the LORD?
Answer: When the Bible speaks of creation "blessing" or "praising" the LORD, it's not implying a conscious, verbal act in the human sense. Rather, it refers to creation fulfilling the purpose for which it was made, thereby reflecting God's glory and testifying to His power, wisdom, and majesty. The intricate design, order, beauty, and sustenance of the natural world inherently declare the greatness of its Creator. As Psalm 19:1 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." So, creation blesses the LORD by simply being what it is, a magnificent display of God's attributes, which then prompts conscious beings (like humans) to offer Him verbal and heartfelt praise.
Why does the psalmist repeat "bless the LORD, O my soul" at the end of the psalm?
Answer: The repetition of "bless the LORD, O my soul" from Psalm 103:1 serves as a powerful literary device known as inclusio, framing the entire psalm. The psalmist begins with a personal exhortation to praise God, then expands the scope of God's goodness and dominion to encompass all of creation and all places. By returning to the personal call at the very end, he emphasizes that while God's glory is universal and His praise is cosmic, the individual's heartfelt, intentional, and personal devotion remains essential and irreplaceable. It's a reminder that even amidst the grand chorus of creation, our unique, inner commitment to worship is vital and desired by God. It brings the sweeping theological truths back to the practical reality of personal faith and worship.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 103:22, with its universal call for "all his works in all places of his dominion" to bless the LORD, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is not merely a part of God's works, but the very agent through whom all things were created. As Colossians 1:16 declares, "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him." Therefore, when creation blesses the LORD, it is inherently blessing the One through whom it came into being and by whom it is sustained. Furthermore, Christ's redemptive work on the cross and His resurrection are the ultimate expressions of God's dominion and mercy, enabling a fallen creation and a sinful humanity to truly and rightly "bless the LORD." Through His sacrifice, we are reconciled to God, empowered by the Spirit to offer acceptable praise. The universal praise envisioned in this psalm culminates in the heavenly vision of every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" Christ is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world, making true, universal, and personal blessing of the LORD possible and eternally meaningful.