What does Psalm 103:22 mean?

David calls on all that the Lord has made—all His works, everywhere—to bless God. In this context the word "bless" is referring to praising God. Because the Lord's dominion includes both heaven and earth, it is appropriate that all His created beings and objects praise Him. When Jesus entered Jerusalem to the praise of those who lined the road, some of the Pharisees told Him to silence His disciples, but Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out" (Luke 19:40). It is not out of the realm of possibility that nature can praise the Lord. Even when God's creation doesn't speak in audible words, its very existence shouts the glory of God (Psalm 19:1).

Finally, at the close of Psalm 103, David calls upon his soul to praise the Lord. This is how he began the psalm. Having been forgiven and given a new start, David had greater reason to praise the Lord than did the angels and all nature. We, too, should praise the Lord joyfully, wholeheartedly, and thankfully for our salvation. The Lord saved us by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9; John 3:36), when we were helpless and hopeless (Romans 5:8). We ought to say as the apostle Paul did, "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).