Bible Strands
Psalms 103:22
Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist speaks to his own soul and extends the command to all creation, directly following his address to the heavenly hosts in verse 21. This closing summons marks the culmination of a section dedicated to praising Yahweh.
The words — The Hebrew בָּרֲכ֤וּ (ba.ra.Khu) and בָּרֲכִ֥י (ba.ra.Khi) both translate literally as "bless," shifting from a plural imperative to a singular address. These verbs frame the verse by commanding created works and the individual soul to acknowledge Yahweh's dominion.
The thread — This summons for all creation to praise God runs through Isaiah 42:10 and Isaiah 49:13, where heaven, earth, and seas are called to sing. It also parallels Psalms 145:10, which declares that all of God's works will give Him thanks.
Why it lands — The text first states a command for every place under God's rule and the speaker's soul to bless Yahweh. It requires the reader to locate themselves within that universal call and actively join the commanded praise.
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
Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 49:13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.
- Psalms 145:10 All You have made will give You thanks, O LORD, and Your saints will bless You.
- Isaiah 42:10 Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise from the ends of the earth—you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them.
- Psalms 148:3 Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars.
- Psalms 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Hallelujah!
- Isaiah 44:23 Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O depths of the earth. Break forth in song, O mountains, you forests and all your trees. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and revealed His glory in Israel.
- Isaiah 43:20 The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.
- Revelation 5:12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
- Psalms 103:1 Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name.
- Psalms 104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty.