Psalms 103:20

20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel[a] in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Psalms 103:20 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 103:20

Bless the Lord, ye his angels
For their creation, being made by him; for their preservation, living, moving, and having their being in him; and for their happiness, in which they are continued, owing to their being chosen of God in Christ, and to their confirmation by Christ. These are always employed in the work of blessing and praising the Lord nor are they in the least backward to it, nor remiss it; nor does this address unto them suppose anything of this kind. The design of the psalmist is only to show how great and good the Lord is; that angels, the more excellent order of creatures, are under obligation to him, and are bound to praise him: and his further view is, to stir up himself and others to this work, from such a consideration, that such noble creatures are employed in the same, and who are further described:

that excel in strength;
or, "are mighty in strength" F5; they are called mighty angels, ( 2 Thessalonians 1:7 ) an instance of the might and power of an angel see in ( 2 Kings 19:35 ) . These, not having sinned, have lost nothing of their original strength and power, and therefore must greatly excel fallen man; who is become a very weak creature, and unable to do the will and work of God, which angels are, as follows:

that do his commandments;
or "his word" F6; what he orders to be done: this they do readily and willingly, constantly, perfectly, and completely; see ( Matthew 6:10 ) .

Hearkening to the voice of his word;
they stand before the Lord, waiting his orders; listening with great attention to what he says, and then readily execute it. Or, "at hearing the voice of his word"; that is, as soon as they hear the voice of his word, or hear him speaking {g}, immediately they apply themselves to the performance of it.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 (xk yrbg) "fortes robore", Pagninus, Montanus; "valentissimi robore", Junius & Tremellius.
F6 (wrbk) "verbum ejus", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F7 So Muis.

Psalms 103:20 In-Context

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. that excel...: Heb. mighty in strength
The King James Version is in the public domain.