Psalm 103:20-22 Now Available feat. Jenny & Tyler

Jan 5

Psalm 103:20-22 is now available on all streaming platforms!

THE VERSE

[20] Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
[21] Bless the LORD, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
[22] Bless the LORD, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Have you ever been to an epic fireworks show? You know that they pull out all the stops at the very end. These last three verses of Psalm 103 are this beloved chapter’s grand finale. Written by King David, verse one began with blessing (“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!”) and now wraps up the whole thing with blessing again. Like a great maestro, the psalmist calls out to different parts of creation’s choir to join in. The scope went from individual to universal: it began with David and ended with angels, mighty ones who do his word and obey Him, hosts, and ministers. In case you were wondering if you are included in this call to bless, he says in verse twenty-two, “all his works, in all places of his dominion.” It’s comprehensive, none excluded. No uninvited ones, and no blackout dates. You were born to bless!

As we come to the final day of Christmastide, we recall the angels’ involvement in communicating the coming of Jesus to Mary and Joseph. We bring to mind the song their song of blessing to God over the shepherds in Luke 2:14. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” What was the response of the shepherds to this Savior and Lord who had arrived? We are told in Luke 2:20 that they were “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” As we approach Epiphany tomorrow which celebrates that Jesus is not only the light of the Jews but also the Gentiles, we look back on the wise men coming to worship Jesus and lay their gifts at His feet! This day highlights the global heart of God, always extending love to the outsider and outcast.

What will your response be in 2024 to this God who has so graciously moved toward you? Has your song of blessing become a dry riverbed? It might be time to do what David invited you to do earlier in verse two: “Forget not all his benefits.” He goes on to list the ways God had met him with forgiveness, healing, redemption, and the list went on. As we number the ways God has blessed us, our song of blessing begins to bubble up and take shape in our hearts and throats. Just as Psalm 103 is bookended with blessing, so let this year be bookended with blessing as well! Join the shepherds and the wise men today at the feet of Jesus, saying, “Bless the LORD, O my soul!”

The Song + The Artist

Song-written lyrics are taken directly from the English Standard Version of the Bible. Music by Tyler Somers and Sara Somers. Tyler commented this about this passage:

These three verses conclude the psalm in such an epic way. The repetition of “bless the LORD…” is a strong command that can lift me out of my temporal circumstances and causes me to enter joy, even, and maybe especially in sorrow. Joy and sorrow, I find, seem almost inseparable. The text is simple, yet deeply compelling.

Song Credits

Andrew Laparra: Mix Contributor
Jeff Rakes: Mix Contributor
Jennifer Somers: Vocals
Joel Limpic: Executive Producer, Co-Producer, Co-Arranger, Mix Contributor
Jordan Young: Co-Mix Engineer
Lydia Boadu: Background Vocals
Ryan Corn: Mix Contributor
Sara Somers: Background Vocals
Steve Young: Mix Contributor, Production Contributor
Tim Hepburn: Drums
Tyler Moody: Mix Contributor
Tyler Somers: Vocals, Instruments, Programming, Co-Producer, Co-Arranger, Co-Mix Engineer

Mastered at To The Sea Studios, Nashville, TN (letscreate@totheseastudios.com)