1 Chronicles 16 11

1 Chronicles 16:11 kjv

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

1 Chronicles 16:11 nkjv

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!

1 Chronicles 16:11 niv

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

1 Chronicles 16:11 esv

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!

1 Chronicles 16:11 nlt

Search for the LORD and for his strength;
continually seek him.

1 Chronicles 16 verses

1 Chronicles 16 11 Meaning

1 Chronicles 16:11 urges believers to actively and continuously pursue the Lord, His divine strength, and His presence. It calls for an ongoing, diligent quest for God Himself, acknowledging human dependence on His power, and seeking intimate fellowship and favor with Him at all times. This command is a foundational principle for a life of faith, emphasizing relational dependency and steadfast devotion.

1 Chronicles 16 11 Context

1 Chronicles 16:11 is part of David's psalm of thanksgiving and worship. This chapter marks a pivotal moment in Israelite history: the successful transfer of the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem, which David established as both the political and spiritual capital of the nation. The Ark, representing God's tangible presence, symbolized His covenant and dwelling among His people. This verse, therefore, appears in the context of renewed national worship and an emphasis on seeking a true and vibrant relationship with the Lord after a period of the Ark being away from the central place of worship. It's a call for the people to center their lives on God, the deliverer of Israel, in contrast to the transient and powerless gods worshipped by surrounding nations, reinforcing a distinct monotheistic worship of Yahweh.

1 Chronicles 16 11 Word analysis

• Seek (דָּרַשׁ - darash):
  • Meaning: To tread, to frequent, to follow after, to diligently inquire, to investigate, to search, to require, to pursue. It signifies an active, persistent, and intentional pursuit, not a passive waiting.
  • Significance: This isn't a casual look but an earnest, wholehearted quest. It implies effort, determination, and focus on an object of high value. In spiritual terms, it means putting in the work of prayer, studying God's Word, and orienting one's life towards God.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - Yahweh):
  • Meaning: The personal, covenant name of God, revealing Him as the eternally existing, self-sufficient, and faithful God who keeps His promises.
  • Significance: The command is to seek the true God of Israel, not just any god or an abstract divine force. It emphasizes a personal relationship with the God who has revealed Himself and made Himself accessible. It's a call to seek the source of all being and goodness.
• His strength (עֹז - oz):
  • Meaning: Might, power, potency, a stronghold, refuge, or even a fortified place.
  • Significance: This acknowledges human limitation and the necessity of divine empowerment. It's seeking God as the source of ability, courage, and resilience, especially in times of weakness, opposition, or despair. It's not seeking a general "strength" but God's specific, inherent strength for our lives. This power allows believers to fulfill His purposes.
• His face (פָּנִים - panim):
  • Meaning: Face, presence, person. In Hebrew thought, the "face" often represents the full presence, favor, attention, or even direct communion of an individual.
  • Significance: Seeking God's face implies desiring intimacy, personal encounter, and divine favor. It's not just seeking what God can do or give, but desiring Him for who He is—His presence, guidance, wisdom, and approval. It's a desire for unbroken fellowship, an experience of His Person, which leads to spiritual illumination and transformation. In the Old Covenant, directly "seeing God's face" was often associated with divine judgment, yet this verse calls for seeking His positive, benevolent presence.
• evermore (תָּמִיד - tamid):
  • Meaning: Continually, perpetually, regularly, always. It refers to an uninterrupted state or action.
  • Significance: This emphasizes the ongoing, lifelong nature of seeking God. It's not a one-time event or a task completed but a constant posture of the heart and mind. Spiritual growth and relationship with God are not static but dynamic, requiring consistent intentionality. This guards against sporadic devotion, emphasizing perseverance and endurance in the faith.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Seek the LORD": This foundational command directs the pursuit towards the divine Person. It's a holistic seeking of God himself, above all else. This pursuit involves spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation on Scripture, and obedience.
• "and His strength": This highlights the practical application and necessity of God's power in daily life. It implies recognizing personal insufficiency and relying wholly on God's ability for sustenance, wisdom, and overcoming challenges. Our seeking isn't just for an emotional connection but for practical empowerment.
• "seek His face": This phrase intensifies the nature of the quest, elevating it to an intimate and relational dimension. It transcends merely asking for things or knowledge about God; it's a yearning for deep communion, approval, and personal encounter with the Almighty. It signifies a longing for God's revealed glory and favor.
• "evermore": This concluding adverb underscores the consistent and unending commitment required for such a profound spiritual journey. It establishes seeking God not as a temporary endeavor but as a continuous lifestyle and the enduring posture of a believer's heart, necessary for sustained spiritual vitality and enduring faith.

1 Chronicles 16 11 Bonus section

The parallelism found in Ps 105:4, which is nearly identical to this verse, highlights the deep resonance of this command in Israelite spirituality. Both verses come from the same psalm that David wrote and delivered on the day the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem, solidifying its importance for worship and faith life. The emphasis on "strength" ('oz) points not merely to physical power, but often to God's inherent might which is expressed through deliverance, salvation, and the sustaining of His people. The "face" of God also sometimes implicitly refers to His revealed Word or wisdom, meaning that seeking His presence includes seeking His divine revelation and understanding His character through His commands and counsel. This continual pursuit differentiates the worshipper of Yahweh from those who sporadically seek or try to manipulate deities for personal gain; it calls for a transformative relationship marked by faithfulness and ongoing reliance.

1 Chronicles 16 11 Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:11 distills the essence of a vibrant faith, presenting a concise yet profound exhortation to pursue God relentlessly. "Seeking the LORD" encompasses more than religious ritual; it signifies an active, wholehearted engagement with the Creator and Covenant-Keeper, Yahweh. This involves intentional spiritual disciplines and aligning one's life with His will. The inclusion of "His strength" acknowledges human frailty and the absolute necessity of divine enablement for life, ministry, and perseverance. It's a recognition that apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. "Seeking His face" is perhaps the most intimate instruction, going beyond merely desiring His power or provisions to a yearning for His direct presence, fellowship, and approval. This signifies a desire for authentic communion, seeing God as He truly is, and experiencing His benevolent gaze upon us. The qualifier "evermore" transforms this into a lifelong commitment, reminding us that our spiritual journey is not a sprint but a marathon requiring perpetual dedication and unwavering pursuit. In a practical sense, it means cultivating habits of daily prayer, deep study of Scripture, constant fellowship with other believers, and prioritizing God in every decision, fostering a dependence on His strength rather than our own, and continuously desiring a deeper personal connection with Him through all seasons of life.