What Does It Mean to Bless the Lord? Psalm 103 and Covenant Relationship

Psalm 103 sheds light on what it means to “bless the Lord.”  The Hebrew words that translate to English as bless, forget not, benefits, forgive iniquities, heals diseases, redeems life from destruction, and so on, mentioned in Psalm 103, are all tied to covenant relationship.

A closer look at Psalm 103:1-5 reveals the deep connection between blessing the Lord, understanding His benefits, and the covenant relationship.

“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:

• Who forgives all your iniquities,
• Who heals all your diseases,
• Who redeems your life from destruction,
• Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
• Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

“So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Hebraic Understanding of “Bless the Lord” and Covenant Relationship

To help us better grasp the concept of blessing the Lord, let’s take a look at some of the Hebrew words and meanings written in Psalm 103…

• Psalm 103 begins with “Bless the Lord”: Blessings are integral to covenant relationships, familial bonds, and communal worship. 
• The Hebrew word barak primarily means “to bless”: To invoke divine favor, express gratitude, or bestow prosperity. It implies the act of kneeling, which is associated with worship or showing reverence. 

Who forgives: The Hebrew word salach means “to forgive or pardon.” In Hebraic thought, forgiveness was closely connected to the covenant relationship between God and His people. The sacrificial system in the Torah offered a way for atonement and forgiveness, but it was God’s mercy and willingness to forgive that truly restored the relationship. Forgiveness highlights God’s compassionate nature and His desire to restore and reconcile humanity, even when they have sinned.  

Who heals: The Hebrew word rapha means “to heal.” In Hebrew culture, healing was considered a divine act, with God as the ultimate Healer. The Israelites believed that sickness was connected to spiritual issues, so healing meant restoring both body and spirit. Priests and prophets often helped in the process using traditional prayers and symbolic items such as oil. The idea of God as Healer was central to their covenant with Him, where following His commandments was linked to health and blessings.

Who redeems: The Hebrew word ga’al means “to redeem or act as a kinsman-redeemer.” It involves the idea of buying back or reclaiming something or someone, often in the context of familial responsibility. A kinsman-redeemer is used to describe the act of a close relative who restores the rights of another and avenges their wrongs, and is displayed in the story of Ruth and Boaz. It involves both legal and relational qualities, emphasizing the responsibility and privilege of kinship.

Who crowns: The Hebrew word atar means “to surround or bestow a crown.” It speaks to God’s encircling protection given to those with whom He is in a covenant relationship. In Hebraic thought, to crown someone was an important act tied to kingship, honor, and favor. It symbolizes authority and victory. The ceremony of crowning someone marked the start of a rule or celebrated a victory. 

Who satisfies: The Hebrew word saba means “to satisfy, to make full, to complete.” In the Hebraic understanding, being satisfied means that God provides for His covenant people. Father God ensured provision was made for His family. Agricultural abundance resulted in a satisfied and full belly and life, and was seen as divine favor. The Hebrews understood that satisfaction came from God, who provided for their needs physically and spiritually and was connected to their worship as they reflected and relied on God’s faithfulness.

The Connection Between Covenant Relationships and Family

When looking at the Hebraic meanings of the words written in Psalm 103, you find almost all are tied to covenant relationship, which reflects the concept of legal matters and family. In other words, those who have been adopted into the family of God by the blood of Jesus have legal rights to God’s covenant promises. 

And one of those rights is to understand covenant!

King David Writes, “Bless the Lord”

King David, the author of Psalm 103, writes, “Bless the Lord (Yahweh).” Yahweh is the covenant name for God. As he pens this psalm later in life, he has a deeper understanding of God’s grace, forgiveness, and mercy. His faith has grown as he has been through trials and witnessed God’s faithfulness. He reflects on his experiences and takes his thoughts captive, telling his soul to align with truth—God’s goodness. 

The Fear of the Lord

In Psalm 103:11-14, King David reminds us of the benefits of fearing the Lord and how these tie to covenant relationship.

• “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” (emphasis added)

There are significance and benefits to fearing the Lord. A proper fear of the Lord draws you nearer to Him, not further away. In other words, fearing the Lord the way God designed means you fear not abiding in Him, and that being drawn away from Him brings anxiety, worry, and distress. The fear of the Lord protects. 

When you find refuge under His wing of protection, you are in awe of His great love, mercy, compassion, power, and protection. You discover true humility and overwhelming love, knowing the God of all creation pardons your sin and removes your willful rebellion against His instruction, breaching the covenant. 

Yet because of His faithfulness and covenant commitment, He loves you as a perfect father does. He is fully aware you are merely clay. And because of this covenant awareness, He is gracious enough to shape and mold you so you may walk in His purposes.

All of this comes from fearing the Lord and being in covenant relationship with Him! 

Psalm 34 | Bless the Lord at All Times

King David wrote Psalm 34 while in great distress, yet he blessed the Lord!

• “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continuously be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord…And let us exalt His name together.” (vs. 1-2)

David again sees the benefits of blessing the Lord, even in trials, and tells his soul to meditate on His faithfulness and covenant protection. Then he exhorts us to bless the Lord, exalting His name and speaking His covenant promises to each other. 

Bless the Name of the Lord! 

A number of psalms, including Psalm 103 and Psalm 34, remind us to bless the Lord. Blessing, speaking of who God is and what He does, reminds our souls—minds, wills, and emotions—of the family we’ve been grafted into by the blood of Jesus and provides protection and unity between His Spirit, ours, and others! 

Let us meditate on His Word today, blessing and praising His holy name continually. Being in covenant relationship with our Creator brings us to a place of humility and trust, leading us to be spiritually and physically renewed. 

Let’s declare, “Align our hearts, O Lord, with Yours, as we bless You in this season!”