1 Chronicles 16 12

1 Chronicles 16:12 kjv

Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

1 Chronicles 16:12 nkjv

Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,

1 Chronicles 16:12 niv

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

1 Chronicles 16:12 esv

Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered,

1 Chronicles 16:12 nlt

Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,

1 Chronicles 16 verses

1 Chronicles 16 12 Meaning

This verse is a call to actively recall and fix one's mind upon God's extraordinary deeds, His awe-inspiring displays of power, and His authoritative pronouncements. It emphasizes the importance of remembering God's past actions and words as the foundation for present faith and future hope, encouraging continuous recognition of His character and power.

1 Chronicles 16 12 Context

This verse is part of David's psalm of thanksgiving and praise recited when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem and placed in the tent David had prepared for it (1 Chron 16:1-3). It is a public exhortation to the people to seek and praise the Lord continually (1 Chron 16:10-11). The preceding verses (1 Chron 16:8-10) are a call to worship God, declaring His name and mighty deeds. Verse 12 serves as a direct command for active recollection of God's historical acts of salvation and His divine law, grounding the nation's worship and identity in God's faithfulness demonstrated through time, particularly the Exodus and wilderness journeys, as further detailed in the psalm.

1 Chronicles 16 12 Word analysis

• Remember (זָכַר, _zakar_): More than simple mental recollection, _zakar_ signifies an active, intentional engagement with the past, making it present. It implies mindful attention, acknowledging, declaring, and even acting upon what is remembered. It's a call to re-embody the awe and impact of God's deeds.
• his wonderful works (נִפְלָאוֹת, _niphlaot_, from פָּלָא, _pala_): Denotes deeds that are distinct, extraordinary, miraculous, and beyond human capability or expectation. These are God's unique and astonishing acts in redemptive history, such as the creation, the parting of the Red Sea, or manna from heaven. They reveal His unparalleled power and sovereignty.
• that he hath done (עָשָׂה, _asah_): Emphasizes the concrete, historical reality of God's actions. These are not abstract concepts but completed, verifiable deeds demonstrating God's direct intervention in human affairs.
• his wonders (מוֹפְתִים, _mophetim_, plural of מוֹפֵת, _mophet_): Signs or portents that demonstrate divine power and authority, often serving as proofs of God's message or agents. They often induce awe or fear and confirm God's presence and intervention, like the plagues in Egypt.
• and the judgments (מִשְׁפָּטִים, _mishpatim_, plural of מִשְׁפָּט, _mishpat_): This term refers to divine ordinances, decrees, righteous verdicts, or acts of justice. It can mean God's righteous rule and governance, His just actions against His enemies, and also His instructions or laws for His people. It points to God's moral order and authoritative declarations.
• of his mouth (פֶה, _peh_): Indicates the direct divine origin and authority of these "judgments." They are not human laws or traditions but originate from God's very word, carrying ultimate truth, power, and finality. It underscores God as the source of all just and righteous law and pronouncement.

• "Remember his wonderful works that he hath done, his wonders": This phrase calls for a comprehensive and active remembrance of God's unique, miraculous, and powerful interventions throughout history. It is a dual emphasis on God's grand, inexplicable deeds (_niphlaot_) and His signs or attestations of power (_mophetim_). This memory forms the bedrock of Israel's national identity and faith, grounding their present experience in God's past faithfulness and power.
• "and the judgments of his mouth": This signifies not only God's just decrees and laws given through covenant but also His sovereign, decisive pronouncements of judgment against evil. It refers to the divine revelation of His righteous standards and His unfailing word of justice and truth. This component balances the awe of His power with the foundation of His unchanging character and moral authority revealed in His speech.

1 Chronicles 16 12 Bonus section

This command to remember in 1 Chron 16:12 (and its parallel in Ps 105:5) resonates deeply with a pervasive theme throughout the Old Testament, particularly in Deuteronomy: the didactic importance of recalling God's historical acts for subsequent generations. It links corporate worship directly to an accurate historical memory of divine intervention. This act of remembering is preventative against idolatry, complacency, and forgetting the covenant relationship. By actively recalling "wonderful works" and "wonders," the people reinforce their understanding of God's uniqueness (there is none like Him who performs such deeds). Remembering "judgments of His mouth" implies upholding His laws, fostering obedience, and acknowledging His moral authority as the just ruler over all. The psalm implicitly warns against forgetting God, which consistently led to straying from Him in Israel's history. Thus, this verse lays a fundamental brick in the edifice of a covenant-keeping, God-centered community.

1 Chronicles 16 12 Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:12 serves as a timeless call to memory and worship. It directs God's people to continually recall His magnificent deeds, not merely as historical facts, but as vibrant proofs of His active presence, unwavering power, and profound faithfulness. This remembrance cultivates humility, gratitude, and a profound sense of awe. Furthermore, recalling "the judgments of his mouth" instills reverence for God's divine authority, recognizing His words as absolute truth and guidance. This collective and individual act of remembering God's past works and words is crucial for maintaining a vibrant faith, ensuring obedience, and strengthening trust for future challenges. It provides the historical context for God's covenant with His people, reminding them that their existence and blessings are entirely due to His sovereign action and spoken word. For a New Testament believer, this echoes the continuous call to remember Christ's works (crucifixion, resurrection, ascension) and His words (the Gospels, apostolic teaching) as foundational to faith and life.
Example:

• For parents: Tell children stories of how God worked in their lives or biblical accounts, explaining how God’s power and truth are eternal.
• For personal devotion: Meditate on specific biblical miracles or commands, allowing them to shape your perspective and priorities.