Psalm 103:20
“Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.“
The psalmist, David, is said to have written this psalm in his old age. Since David experienced the many blessings, deliverances, mercy, grace, and love of God throughout his life, he’s feeling overwhelmed as his heart explodes in worship. Have you noticed that this psalm contains no entreaties for God to save David, deal with his enemies, or provide for any need? This is pure worship, and also an exhortation to praise God for who He is and all He has done!
In essence, the psalmist reminds us to worship God with a heart of gratitude for His forgiveness, justification, redemption, sanctification, provision, compassion, and salvation. Those who have enjoyed God’s benefits, those who fear Him and keep His covenant, cannot help but worship Him.
The call to worship extends beyond David himself to all of God’s creation, including His angels. In today’s verse, David particularly calls the angels to worship. He describes them as mighty in strength and obedient to the Word of God. If the angels continually worship God, how much more should we?
Throughout this psalm, David repeatedly urges us to “bless the Lord.” But how do we bless the Lord? We bless Him explicitly through our worship! So, as Psalm 148:1-5 suggests:
“Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts (armies)!
Praise Him, sun and moon:
Praise Him, all stars of light!
Praise Him, highest heavens,
And the waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.”
