Psalm 103:1-2 Text
King James Version (KJV)
Bless the LORD , O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD , O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
World English Bible (WEB)
Praise Yahweh, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name! Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits,
What Psalm 103:1-2 Means
The psalmist talks to himself, telling his own soul to bless the LORD. This is a common feature of the psalms, where the speaker stirs up his own heart instead of waiting to feel thankful. All that is within me suggests wholehearted praise, using mind, will, and emotions together. The second verse adds the instruction not to forget God's benefits, which implies that gratitude depends on memory. People tend to dwell on what is missing and lose track of what has been given. The rest of the psalm lists those benefits, including forgiveness, healing, redemption, and steadfast love, so the verse works as an introduction. Bless here is the word for praise or giving honor, not for giving something to God that he lacks. The WEB uses praise in place of bless, and uses Yahweh for the name that the KJV prints in capitals as LORD.
Context of Psalm 103:1-2
This psalm is attributed to David in its title and is one of the best-loved songs of thanksgiving. It does not name a specific event, so it may have been written from a lifetime of experience. After the opening call to praise, it describes God's mercy to those who fear him, his willingness to forgive, and his awareness that people are dust. It ends by calling on angels and all creation to bless him. To read the whole book, see random verse from Psalms.
How to Apply Psalm 103:1-2
Try a short list of three or four specific benefits you have received, written down or spoken aloud. Specific things work better than general thanks. On a day when gratitude feels forced, notice that the psalmist also had to talk himself into it, and take that as permission to start small.
Related Verses
- Psalm 103:3-5 – Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
- Psalm 100:4 – Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
- Psalm 34:1 – I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Gratitude, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does bless the LORD, O my soul mean?
It is the psalmist calling himself to give heartfelt praise to God. Bless here means to honor or thank, not to give God anything he needs. Speaking to your own soul is a way of directing your whole inner life toward thanksgiving.
What are the benefits in Psalm 103:2?
The verse doesn't list them, but the next verses do: forgiveness of sins, healing of diseases, rescue from the pit, love and compassion, and renewed strength. Readers also apply the phrase to everyday blessings that are easy to forget.
Want a different verse? Try the Bible verse randomizer or browse all popular Bible verses.