Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 103:1
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
NIV · New International Version
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
WEB · World English Bible
By David. Praise the LORD, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name!
What does Psalms 103:1 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 103:1
Bless the Lord, O my soul,.... His better part, his soul, which comes immediately from God, and returns to him, which is immaterial and immortal, and of more worth than the world: God is to be served with the best we have; as with the best of our substance, so with the best of our persons; and it is the heart, or soul, which he requires to be given him; and such service as is performed with the soul or spirit is most agreeable to him; he being a Spirit, and therefore must be worshipped in spirit and in truth: unless the spirit or soul of a man, is engaged in the service of God, it is of little avail; for bodily exercise profiteth not; preaching, hearing, praying, and praising, should be…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 103:1–5
1. Bless Jehovah, O my soul! The prophet, by stirring up himself to gratitude, gives by his own example a lesson to every man of the duty incumbent upon him. And doubtless our slothfulness in this matter has need of continual incitement.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 103:1–4 (WEB)
1By David. Praise the LORD, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name! 2Praise the LORD, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits, 3who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
Cross references
- Psalms 146:1–2
- Psalms 57:7–11
- John 4:24
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
- 1 Corinthians 14:15
What should I do? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
- Psalms 111:1
- Psalms 103:22–104:1
- Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
- Psalms 99:3