Bible Strands
Psalms 103:1
Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses his own soul in a self-directed command to praise Yahweh. The superscription "Of David" marks him as author; the addressee is himself.
The words — qeravai (qeravai) means "my inward parts," a specific visceral term for the inner self rather than a vague "everything within." barakhi (barakhi) is the imperative "bless," a command rather than a request.
The thread — Psalms 146:1 repeats the identical "O my soul" construction; Psalms 57:7 resolves the heart to sing. John 4:24 grounds worship in spirit, which this verse enacts.
Why it lands — It treats praise as a command one issues to oneself, not a mood one waits for. The reader is asked to direct their own inner life toward Yahweh deliberately.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A Psalm of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Cross-references
- Psalms 146:1 Hallelujah! Praise the LORD, O my soul.
- Psalms 57:7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.
- John 4:24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
- Psalms 111:1 Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
- 1 Corinthians 14:15 What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
- Psalms 103:22 Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
- Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
- Psalms 99:3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name—He is holy!
- Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
- Luke 1:46 Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,