Psalms 103:1
What does Psalms 103:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 103:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 103:1 means
This verse opens with an impassioned self-exhortation, a command from David to his own inner being—his soul, his emotions, his will—to offer praise to God. It isn't a passive suggestion but an urgent summons for every facet of his existence to engage in blessing the Lord's holy name. The emphasis on "all that is within me" suggests a desire for wholehearted, sincere adoration, moving beyond mere lip service to a deep, internal worship of God for who He is.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Bless Jehovah, O my soul; And all that is within me, blesshis holy name.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Bless Jehovah, O my soul; And all that is within me, blesshis holy name.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give praise to the Lord, O my soul; let everything in me give praise to his holy name.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862By David. Bless, O my soul, Jehovah, And all my inward parts--His Holy Name.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, thou art exceedingly great. Thou hast put on praise and beauty:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Bless Jehovah, O my soul; and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name!
Context
This verse sets the personal and devotional tone for the entire psalm. It is the initial call to worship, immediately followed by another exhortation in verse 2 to remember God's benefits, which the subsequent verses (3-5) then begin to enumerate. This opening establishes a frame of intentional, personal praise that flows into a larger exposition of God's character and works.
v.1This passage
v.2Bless Jehovah, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 4:8
And the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, isthe Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.
- Psalms 57:7
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing, yea, I will sing praises.
- Psalms 47:7
For God is the King of all the earth: Sing ye praises with understanding.
- Psalms 146:1
Praise ye Jehovah. Praise Jehovah, O my soul.
- Psalms 103:22
Bless Jehovah, all ye his works, In all places of his dominion: Bless Jehovah, O my soul.
- Mark 12:30
and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.
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