Psalms 103:22

Authorized King James Version

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Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Original Language Analysis

בָּרֲכִ֥י Bless H1288
בָּרֲכִ֥י Bless
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 1 of 11
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כָּֽל H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 3 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַעֲשָׂ֗יו all his works H4639
מַעֲשָׂ֗יו all his works
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 4 of 11
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְקֹמ֥וֹת in all places H4725
מְקֹמ֥וֹת in all places
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 6 of 11
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
מֶמְשַׁלְתּ֑וֹ of his dominion H4475
מֶמְשַׁלְתּ֑וֹ of his dominion
Strong's: H4475
Word #: 7 of 11
rule; also (concretely in plural) a realm or a ruler
בָּרֲכִ֥י Bless H1288
בָּרֲכִ֥י Bless
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 8 of 11
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
נַ֝פְשִׁ֗י O my soul H5315
נַ֝פְשִׁ֗י O my soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 9 of 11
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

The psalm concludes with a universal call to bless the LORD: 'all his works in all places of his dominion.' This cosmic doxology includes all creation in worshiping God. Then David personalizes it: 'bless the LORD, O my soul,' returning to the psalm's opening. This structure—from personal to universal and back to personal—demonstrates that individual worship connects to cosmic worship. The Reformed emphasis on God's glory as creation's purpose recognizes that all things exist to praise Him. In Christ, all creation will be reconciled (Col 1:20).

Historical Context

Ancient Hebrew poetry often used inclusio (circular structure), beginning and ending with the same phrase. This literary device unified the psalm and emphasized its central theme of blessing God for His character and works.

Questions for Reflection

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