Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 103:20
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
20. Bless Jehovah, ye angels of his;
Ye mighty in strength, that do his word,
Hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Heavenly beings are most capable of praising the heavenly King. For the address to the angels cp. Psa 29:1; Psa 148:2. They are called mighty in strength as God’s warriors; cp. Joe 3:11. The “blessed obedience” of the angels is an example for man.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Bless the Lord – The psalm began Psa 103:1-2 with an exhortation to bless the Lord. That exhortation was, however, then addressed by the psalmist to his own soul, and was especially founded on the benefits which he had himself received. The psalm closes also with an exhortation to bless the Lord, yet on a much wider scale. The psalmist feels that there is not only occasion for him to do it, but that the reason for it extends to the whole universe. The meaning is, that God is worthy of universal praise; and all ranks of beings – all worlds – should join in that praise. Man, feeble, frail, dying, could not come up to the fullness of the praise required. Praise such as was appropriate to God – such as his perfections and works deserved – demanded loftier powers than those of man; the loftiest powers in the universe.
Ye his angels – All beings higher than man; beings around and before his throne.
That excel in strength – Margin, as in Hebrew, mighty in strength, and therefore more able to offer adequate praise.
That do his commandments – Who perfectly obey his law, and who, therefore, can render more acceptable praise than can ever come from human lips.
Hearkening unto the voice of his word – Who always listen to his voice; who never are disobedient; and who can, therefore, approach him as holy beings, and more appropriately worship him.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 103:20-22
Bless the Lord, ye His angels.
On ministering spirits
I. The lowest occupation of tutelary beings upon the earth consists in the preservation or deliverance of the servants of God from situations of danger. To be conscious, that whithersoever we may bend our steps;–in the midst of the throng, or in the solitary path,–these celestial protectors are at all times beside us,–to encompass as with a shield, and to cover as with a canopy,–must doubtless be an animating and soothing reflection. Yet this is no fanciful supposition (Psa 91:11-12; Psa 34:7; Psa 68:17; Psa 139:3).
II. Another office, in which guardian spirits are engaged, is that of bearing consolation to the afflicted. To diffuse a holy calm throughout the troubled mind;–to pour forth into the wounded bosom their pitcher of refreshment, drawn from the rivers of Paradise;–to suggest considerations which recommend submission or fortitude;–are employments not unsuitable to that heavenly host, concerning whom we know, that one of them stirred the pool of Bethesda, in preparation for the cure of the maimed (Act 1:11).
III. These ethereal spirits are greatly occupied, as messengers of grace in time of temptation;–as servants sent forth by the Holy Ghost into the breast, suggesting good, or banishing unholy thoughts;–as turning away the eye from the seductive spectacle, or sealing the ear to accents of delusion. We speak of sermons, of sicknesses, of afflictions, of a place of graves, as means of grace;–wherefore, then, should not we, in like manner, speak of angels as its dispensers? It is in the highest degree reasonable to believe, that the office of transmitting the suggestions of grace may be imposed on them, on their own account, as intelligences, whom it becomes to praise the Father of the Universe, and to purify and approximate towards perfection their own natures, by active services as well as by hymns of adoration. It is natural to suppose, likewise, that pure and benevolent beings, permitted to witness the affairs of this lower world, should feel deeply interested for the favourable issue of the spiritual conflict sustained by those who may become their future and eternal associates:–and, if by any means possible, that they should exert themselves in promoting that issue.
IV. If to bear from above the emanations of grace be an office in which pure and kind intelligences may be supposed to take high delight, with still greater satisfaction, may it further be presumed, do they wing their way back to the courts of happiness, carrying tidings of the successful result of their embassy (Tob 12:13; Rev 8:2-3).
V. This welcome report of the pure and upright behaviour of faithful sojourners upon earth, being circulated throughout the mansions of bliss, we cannot doubt that the glorified host of the happy will listen to it with complacency and delight;–that they will congratulate each other on the triumph of good;–on the prospect of an increase to their band;–on a new advancement of the glory of the Most High (1Pe 1:12; Luk 15:10).
VI. When the awful hour which awaits every child of Adam, the hour of dissolution, approaches;–when the eye is about to close on those objects of fond affection, of whom it cannot take leave with indifference, another interesting office of guardian spirits will consist in whispering words of peace to the departing followers of Jesus;–in removing the film and dimness from the sight of faith;–in rolling back to its view the curtain of the skies, and permitting it to descry those seats of boundless felicity where it will speedily be, and where it will be as the angels. (J. Grant, M.A.)
Angels real
Some of the eminent doctors, in Rowland Hills day, said that there were no such beings as angels; that they were only Oriental metaphors. Very well, said Rowland Hill, then it was a company of Oriental metaphors that sang at the birth of Christ, Glory to God in the highest. Angels are Oriental metaphors; then it was an Oriental metaphor that slew 185,000 of Sennacheribs army in a single night. Angels are Oriental metaphors; then it was an Oriental metaphor that appeared to Peter in prison, that knocked off his chains, and led him through the streets. Truly, said he, these Oriental metaphors are wonderful things! (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 20. Bless the Lord, ye his angels] Every person who has a sense of God’s goodness to his soul feels his own powers inadequate to the praise which he ought to offer; and therefore naturally calls upon the holiest of men, and the supreme angels, to assist him in this work.
That excel in strength] Some take gibborey coach, the mighty in strength, for another class of the hierarchy,-they that do his commandments, hearkening to his words; and consider them to be that order of beings who are particularly employed in operations among and for the children of men; probably such as are called powers in the New Testament.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Angels; which, though glorious creatures, are but his ministers and messengers, as the word signifies. And inviting the angels to bless God, he quickens men to the same duty, as having more dependence upon God, and, obligation to him. That excel in strength; of which see evidence 2Ki 19:35. You are freed from the impentencies and infirmities of mankind.
That do his commandments; that live in a universal, constant, and perfect obedience to all Gods commands, which the best of men through the infirmity of the flesh do frequently violate.
Hearkening unto the voice of his word; that diligently wait for Gods commands or errands, and execute them with all cheerfulness and readiness.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
20-22. do his commandments . . .wordor, literally, “so as to hearken,” c., that is,their acts of obedience are prompt, so that they are ever ready tohear, and know, and follow implicitly His declared will (compareDeu 26:17 Luk 1:19).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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” e; they are called mighty angels, 2Th 1:7 an instance of the might and power of an angel see in 2Ki 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” f; what he orders to be done: this they do readily and willingly, constantly, perfectly, and completely; see Mt 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.
e “fortes robore”, Pagninus, Montanus; “valentissimi robore”, Junius & Tremellius. f “verbum ejus”, Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. g So Muis.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) Just as in the highest revelation made by Jesus Christ the angels in heaven rejoice over the repentant sinner, so in the psalmists view the mercy of Jehovah to his faithful people is cause for high acclaim among the hosts around the throne.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. Angels A designation of an order of beings, not an office, as messengers. Compare the call upon angels, Psa 29:1-2; Psa 148:2. The call is grounded in our fellowship with them. Heb 12:22-23. If the doctrine of archangels was thus early understood, as in later times, (see Dan 8:16; Dan 9:21; Dan 10:13; Dan 10:21; comp. Luk 1:19; Rev 8:2; Rev 12:7; Tob 12:15 ,) the following descriptions might well apply to them.
Excel in strength Hebrew, Mighty of strength. The word mighty, (English version, “excel,”) denotes the highest reach of finite “strength,” skill, and endurance, such as, when applied to man, distinguishes the hero-warrior.
That do his commandments That execute his word. They are the executive messengers of God.
Hearkening unto the voice Denoting both attentiveness to learn, and promptness to execute. “ As soon as they hear the voice of God they promptly obey.” Hammond. An example to us.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 103:20. Hearkening unto the voice of his word As soon as he speaks the word. Green. Hebrew. Hearing, or upon hearing the voice of his word. Merrick renders it: Who, cloath’d with light, his word obey, And wing, as he directs, your way.
REFLECTIONS.1st, When God opens our hearts to a real discovery of what he is to us, and hath done for us, we are overwhelmed with wonder, and filled with thanksgiving. Thus the Psalmist (and with him every living servant of God),
1. Stirs up his soul to the grateful work of praise. Bless the Lord, O my soul; proclaim his goodness and grace; and all that is within me, let every faculty be engaged, and every nerve extended, to bless his holy name, so worthy to be praised. Bless the Lord, O my soul; delay not, nor be sluggish in the service; and forget not all his benefits, the least so infinitely beyond our deserts, and yet the whole so great and numberless, that they are more than we are able to express. Note; (1.) It is good often to commune with our own hearts, and stir them up to the needful work of gratitude. (2.) God deserves our heart, our whole heart; and every saint of God longs for still more of the love of God. (3.) We are strangely apt to forget God’s benefits, and have much reason to be deeply humbled at all times, that we are so unduly affected with the sense of them, and so little thankful for them.
2. He enumerates a variety of particulars, for which his soul was bound to bless and praise God. [1.] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities: great, numberless, aggravated as they have been, he forgives them, through Jesus, freely and fully. [2.] Who healeth all thy diseases. Sunk under a complication of miseries is the fallen spirit; diseased in every faculty; fatally sick, beyond the power of human medicine to recover; but there is balm in Gilead, and a physician there. He who is able to forgive all our sins, can heal all our spiritual maladies by the power of his grace; and every believing soul feels this, in a measure, by blessed experience, and praises the divine physician. [3.] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction. Eternal ruin, because of our sins, awaited us, and hell yawned ready to receive the guilty wretch; but Jesus interposed, paid the immense ransom, stayed us from going down to the pit, and opened the gates of life and immortality to the lost and perishing. For this great redemption praise the Lord, O my soul! [4.] Who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies; with a glorious measure of those infinite blessings contained in the covenant of grace. [5.] Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s: good things of a temporal nature; health, prosperity, long life, and juvenile vigour, even to old age: good things of a spiritual nature; satisfying the hungerings and thirstings of the heart with those rich supplies of righteousness and grace in Jesus, which enable us with vigour, delight, and zeal, to run the way of God’s commandments; and when coldness and decay would creep upon us, he renews our strength; so that in the liveliness and activity of our souls, even in old age, we mount up with wings as eagles; Isa 40:31.
2nd, Not only the Psalmist’s praises were excited by his own mercies, but he felt the kindness shown to others as done to himself.
1. He praises God for his general care over the poor and oppressed, whose patron he was ever found, and whose wrongs, sooner or later, he would vindicate.
2. He adores him for the peculiar favour ever shewn to his Israel, [1.] In revealing to them his mind and will; committing to them his lively oracles; in all the divinely-instituted ordinances of his worship, which he delivered to Moses, instructing them in the way of salvation; and in all his acts of power and grace exerted for them, engaging their trust in him, and love towards him. [2.] In his patience and pardoning mercy shown to his believing people, notwithstanding their former provocations. His nature is mercy, and his bosom the seat of tender compassion. Slow to anger, he is ever ready to forgive: yea, when for our good he is compelled to chide, to visit our offences with the rod, and our sin with scourges, his paternal heart yearns over our sufferings; he is in haste to fall on the necks of his returning prodigals, and turn away from his wrathful indignation; to restore comfort to his mourners, and seal their pardon and peace with the kisses of his love. Had we our deserts indeed, we had long since lain down in everlasting burnings; but far other have been his dealings with us: his rich grace pardons our innumerable offences. High as the heavens are above the earth, so vast and boundless is his mercy; and far as the east is from the west, so far hath he put away our iniquities: they are forgiven, yea, forgotten; sunk as a stone in the abyss of his infinite love. He knows our feeble frame, the weakness of our bodies, which would be crushed as the moth, if he laid for a moment his heavy hand upon us: the infirmity of our flesh, so impotent to good, so prone to evil; and therefore he pities us, as the tenderest father the child of his love. Note; (1.) If God’s pity to us be so great, let us learn of him to exercise the like compassion towards each other. (2.) They who have a real sense of their own deserts must ever stand amazed at themselves that they are out of hell. (3.) God’s pardons are free and full; the greatest dishonour we can shew him is, to distrust his promises and question his grace.
3. The character of the people of God, towards whom this love and kindness is manifested, is set forth; or rather this mercy shewn them engages their hearts to him. They fear him; not with that fear which hath bondage, but with that filial fear which springs from the spirit of adoption. They keep his covenant; live upon the inestimably precious promises of it; make it all their salvation, and all their desire; and, renouncing every other hope and confidence, depend alone on the merits of their Redeemer: and they withal remember his commandments to do them; steady to their obligations, and desiring to approve themselves obedient children to the Father of Mercies.
3rdly, And lastly, We have,
1. God’s eternal kingdom and glory set forth, as an engagement to universal adoration of him. In heaven his radiant throne is placed, prepared, or established, fixed and immoveable, and his dominion universal; for his kingdom ruleth over all; angels, men, yea, devils, and all in heavens earth, and hell, are subject to his government, and must submit to his disposals.
2. A call to render to this glorious Jehovah the universal praise due unto his name. [1.] Let the brightest and noblest creatures lead the way; and angels and archangels, his waiting hosts, his attendant ministers, mighty in power to fulfil his high behests, deep in attention to his commanding word, let them begin the song, and bless their great Creator. [2.] Let all the hosts of earth, the great congregation of the righteous, unite their hearts and voices in his praise; especially his ministers of flame, whom he hath intrusted with his gospel, and sent to spread the knowledge of his grace and good-will to men. [3.] Let all his works spread forth his glory; the heavens above, with all their shining orbs; the world beneath, with every creature, animate or inanimate, which moves or grows, or dwells in air, earth, or sea, all, all must learn to bless and praise. [4.] Shall then my soul, O Lord, alone be solitary and silent amidst the universal shout of thanksgiving? No; bless the Lord, O my soul! every day, still increasing, more constant, more enlarged; while life and breath endure, may my bosom swell with gratitude, my lips be filled with praise, the earnest and beginning of those unceasing praises, which shall be the everlasting employment and the unutterable joy of every faithful soul in the regions of eternal bliss and glory.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
The Psalmist, having thus stirred up himself to bless God in Christ, here breaks out into a fervour of holy devotion, and calls upon all intelligent creation to join in the hymn of praise, that the acknowledgment of divine goodness may be universal. Put forth all your strength, ye angels of his (elect angels, as Paul calls them), preserved in Christ Jesus: do ye praise Him. 1Ti 5:21 . Ye ministers and hosts, whether employed in the upper or in the lower world, do ye join in the song. Yea, let all the works of our God in Christ, in all places, join in the same. And do thou, my soul, unceasingly do so; and set a hearty response of Amen to the notes of all creation, which praise our God and Saviour. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, forever and ever.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Ver. 20. Bless the Lord, ye his angels ] In stirring up the angels to praise God, he awaketh himself; and for this purpose, Incipit a superioribus, et finit in infirmis, saith Kimchi here, he calleth in the help of all the creatures, from the highest to the lowest; and, after all, concludeth as he began, with a saying to himself.
That excel in strength
That do his commandments
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
ye. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read “all ye”.
That excel = That are mighty.
commandments = commandment (singular)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
angels
(See Scofield “Heb 1:4”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Bless: Psa 148:2, Luk 2:13, Luk 2:14, Rev 19:5, Rev 19:6
that excel in strength: Heb. mighty in strength, Psa 78:25, 2Ki 19:35, Isa 6:2, Joe 2:11, Mat 26:53
do his: Mat 6:10, Luk 1:19, Heb 1:14
Reciprocal: Gen 24:7 – angel 1Ki 6:29 – carved figures 1Ki 22:19 – all the host 1Ch 21:27 – the Lord 2Ch 18:18 – all the host Job 1:6 – came to Job 4:18 – he put Job 25:3 – there Psa 8:5 – thou Psa 30:4 – Sing Psa 34:3 – let us Psa 84:1 – O Lord Psa 96:2 – bless Psa 100:4 – be thankful Psa 113:1 – O Isa 10:34 – by a mighty one Eze 1:19 – General Eze 3:12 – Blessed Eze 9:11 – I have Dan 3:28 – hath sent Dan 4:13 – in the Dan 9:21 – to fly Joe 3:11 – cause Zec 1:10 – These Zec 1:11 – they answered Mat 22:30 – as Luk 11:2 – Thy will Eph 3:10 – intent 2Pe 2:11 – angels Rev 5:2 – a strong Rev 5:11 – many Rev 7:11 – all Rev 8:13 – flying Rev 19:10 – I am
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 103:20-22. Bless the Lord, ye his angels Who, though glorious creatures, are but his ministers and messengers, as the word signifies. And by inviting the angels to bless God he excites men to the same duty, as having more dependance upon God, and obligation to him. That excel in strength Of which see one evidence, 2Ki 19:35. You are freed from the inabilities and infirmities of mankind; that do his commandments That live in a universal, constant, and perfect obedience to all Gods commands; hearkening unto the voice of his word Who diligently wait for his commands, and execute them with all cheerfulness and readiness. Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts The angels again, to whom he still continues his address, and whom he more particularly describes by the name of hosts, a title often given to them on account of their vast numbers, mighty power, unanimous concurrence, and exquisite order. Ye ministers of his The Hebrew word , mesharethaiv, thus rendered, is commonly used of the highest and most honourable sort of servants; that do his pleasure Whose constant business and delight it is to execute his orders and fulfil his will. Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion All creatures, both in heaven and earth, according to your several capacities. Bless the Lord, O my soul Which thou hast especial and abundant reason to do. Thus he ends the Psalm with the same words wherewith he began it.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
103:20 Bless the LORD, ye {m} his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
(m) In that we, who naturally are slow to praise God, exhort the angels, who willingly do it, we stir up ourselves to consider our duty and wake from our sluggishness.