Psalms 103:19 - Meaning and Application

Here is the teaching of God’s universal rule in Psalm 103:19. He has secured the happiness of his special people by promise and covenant, but he governs all mankind and the whole world by his common providence, that is, his ongoing care and rule over creation. The Lord has his own throne, a throne of glory and government. He made all things, and he rules all things by his word of power.

He has prepared his throne, fixed it firmly, and established it so it cannot be shaken. He has already ordered every part of his rule and does all things according to the purpose of his own will. He has set his throne in the heavens, above us and out of sight, for he hides the full sight of it, as if a cloud were spread over it (Job 26:9). Yet he can still judge through that dark cloud (Job 22:13). That is why the heavens are said to rule (Dan 4:26), and we are helped to think of this by the effect the visible heavens have on the earth, their rule over it (Job 38:33; Gen 1:16).

Even though God’s throne is in heaven, and there he holds his court, and to him we are to pray, “Our Father who is in heaven,” his kingdom rules over all. He watches every inhabitant and every matter in this lower world, and he directs all people and things according to the counsel of his will, for his own glory (Dan 4:35). His kingdom rules over all kings and all kingdoms, and there is no court or power outside his authority.

From this comes the duty of universal praise. If all are under God’s rule, then all must honor him. Let the holy angels praise him (Psa 103:20, Psa 103:21). “Bless the Lord, you his angels,” and again, “Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you his ministers.” David had been urging himself and others to praise God, and here he ends by calling on the angels to do the same. It is not as if they need our help to praise God, for they do that continually. Rather, he is expressing how great God is, since even the holy angels are fit to worship him. He is also encouraging himself and others, remembering that angels do this work, and taking comfort in his own weakness by knowing that a whole world of holy angels lives in God’s house and keeps praising him.

The blessed angels are glorious servants of the blessed God. They are well suited for their place because they are strong, for they excel in strength. They can carry out great things and keep serving without growing weary. They are also willing, because they listen for his word and wait for his orders. They stand ready for their Lord’s command, and they always behold his face (Mat 18:10), so they can catch the first hint of his will. They gladly do his commandments (Psa 103:20) and his pleasure (Psa 103:21). They do not argue with his commands. They get to work at once, flying swiftly to obey, as soon as they hear his word. To obey is better than sacrifice, for angels obey, though they do not offer sacrifices.

This is their service. They are his angels and his ministers, his because he made them and made them for himself, his because he uses them, though he does not need them, and his because he owns them as Lord. All creatures serve him, but not as the angels do, who attend the very presence of his glory. Soldiers, sailors, and loyal citizens serve a king, but not like the courtiers and household servants serve at court.

The angels sometimes serve God in this lower world. They carry out his commands, go on his errands (Dan 9:21), fight his battles (Kg2 6:17), and serve for the good of his people (Heb 1:14). They also praise him continually in the upper world. They began doing this early (Job 38:7), and it is still their work, from which they rest not day or night (Rev 4:8). It is God’s glory that he has such attendants, but it is even greater glory that he does not need them and is not made richer by their service.

Let all his works praise him (Psa 103:22), everywhere in all the places where he rules. Since they are his works, they are under his authority, and they were made and governed so that they might bring him honor and praise. This includes all the children of men in every part of the world. Let them all praise God. It also includes the lower creatures, which are God’s works too. They praise him by showing his power and wisdom, even if they cannot praise him with words (Psa 145:10).

Yet this does not excuse David from praising God himself. It should move him to do it even more gladly, because he wants to take his place in this great song. So he ends as he began, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” Blessing God and giving him glory must be the beginning and the end of all our service. He started with “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” and after writing and singing this beautiful hymn in God’s honor, he does not say, “Now you have blessed the Lord enough, rest.” Instead, he says again, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” even more and more.

When we have done much in God’s service, we still must stir ourselves to do more. God’s praise is a subject that can never be exhausted, so this work will never be finished until we come to heaven, where it will go on forever.