Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Other Resources

• Visit hymnary.org for more information on this song and additional resources.

Performance Notes:

• The following article is from the Psalter Hymnal Handbook.

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. = Ps. 103: 1

Gospel musician Andraé Crouch composed a song for the familiar opening phrases of Psalm 103, one of the much-loved Old Testament hymns about God's love and compassion for his people. Only the refrain, which frames his longer text, is included in the Psalter Hymnal; the same words provide a frame around the entire psalm. Crouch retains the conventional Hebrew custom of addressing oneself as "my soul." Crouch's phrase "He has done great things" is a summary reference to all the mighty and compassionate deeds of the Lord described in Psalm 103–God forgives, heals, provides, and redeems; and he is gracious, patient, loving, and just.

Crouch and his ensemble, The Disciples, popularized this chorus by their numerous performances in the early 1970s. The hymn was recorded and published by Lexicon Music in 1973, both as a four-part choral octavo and as a solo piece.

Liturgical Use:
As a chorus of praise to God on many occasions of worship, especially on the great feast days of the church calendar, like Christmas and Easter, when we think of the "great things" God has done.

Tune Information:

Sing BLESS THE LORD with jubilant unison voices accompanied by a complement of African American gospel-style instruments: piano, electric organ, and drums. Several solo voices in the congregation could improvise alternate soprano melodies and/ or substitute other lyrics for "He has done great things," especially if the song is repeated; alternate phrases derived from Psalm 103 include: he forgives my sins; he redeems my life; he renews my youth; he made known his ways; he is slow to anger; he abounds in love (other phrases from Ps.103).