1 Chronicles 16 25

1 Chronicles 16:25 kjv

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

1 Chronicles 16:25 nkjv

For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods.

1 Chronicles 16:25 niv

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

1 Chronicles 16:25 esv

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods.

1 Chronicles 16:25 nlt

Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
He is to be feared above all gods.

1 Chronicles 16 verses

1 Chronicles 16 25 Meaning

The verse proclaims the magnificent supremacy of the LORD (Yahweh), emphasizing His immense greatness and the corresponding, boundless praise that is due to Him. It further asserts His unique sovereignty by stating that He alone is to be revered and held in awe above all other beings or deities mistakenly referred to as "gods," thus challenging any form of idolatry or polytheism.

1 Chronicles 16 25 Context

This verse is part of a grand psalm of thanksgiving and praise delivered by King David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. This significant event marked a pivotal moment in Israel's worship, centralizing it around the Ark, a symbol of God's presence among His people. David's psalm (1 Chr 16:8-36) compiles elements from Pss 105, 96, and 106, articulating Israel's theological understanding of God's nature and their exclusive covenant relationship with Him. Historically and culturally, Israel existed in a world rife with polytheism and idol worship. David's psalm served as a clear declaration, establishing Yahweh as the one true and supreme God, actively engaged in the history of His people, and incomparable to any local or national deities worshipped by surrounding nations. This psalm therefore functions as a powerful affirmation of monotheism and a direct polemic against contemporary idolatry, setting Yahweh apart as deserving of singular and ultimate reverence.

1 Chronicles 16 25 Word analysis

• For: (כִּי, ki) - A causal conjunction, indicating the reason or basis for the preceding command to give praise and proclaim His salvation daily (v. 23) and declare His glory (v. 24). It introduces the theological rationale for worship.
• great: (גָּדוֹל, gadol) - Signifies magnitude, immense power, extensive reach, and supreme importance. It speaks to His qualitative excellence and quantitative limitlessness. In a world with many gods, Yahweh's greatness distinguishes Him as uniquely sovereign and active.
• is the LORD: (יְהוָה, YHWH) - The covenant name of God, revealing His self-existence and eternal nature (cf. Exod 3:14). This personal, unpronounceable name identifies the specific God of Israel, separating Him from generic "gods" (elohim) and affirming His unique personhood and relationship with His people.
• and greatly: (וּמְהֻלָּל מְאֹד, umehulal me'od) - The "and" connects the idea of greatness to the resulting praise. "Me'od" means "exceedingly," "very much," or "to a great degree," intensifying the word "praised."
• to be praised: (מְהֻלָּל, mehulal) - Derived from the root "halal" (הלל), which means to praise, commend, celebrate, or boast about. In this context, it is in the Piel participle passive form, signifying "one who is intensely praised" or "one who deserves intense praise." It speaks of God's intrinsic worthiness that compels worship and adoration.
• He is also: (וְנוֹרָא הוּא, v'nora hu) - "And he," linking this truth with the preceding statement about praise.
• to be feared: (נוֹרָא, nora) - This is the Qal participle passive of "yare" (ירא), meaning "to be awesome," "terrible," "dreadful," "inspiring reverence." It's not about being afraid of a harsh deity, but of profound awe, reverence, and respect that springs from recognizing His supreme power, holiness, and majesty. It reflects a deep understanding of God's incomparable nature. This sense of reverential fear leads to humble worship and obedience, contrasting with the empty dread associated with pagan gods.
• above all gods: (עַל כָּל אֱלֹהִים, al kol elohim) - "Elohim" can refer to human judges, powerful beings, or, as clearly here, the false deities of other nations. The preposition "al" (upon, above, over) denotes supremacy and authority. This phrase is a powerful polemic, not denying the existence of entities called "gods" by others, but denying their legitimacy, power, and worthiness when compared to Yahweh. He reigns above and over any other purported divine entity, utterly subordinating them.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised": This clause encapsulates the LORD's intrinsic excellence and His supreme worthiness of worship. His greatness (גָּדוֹל, gadol) demands an abundant and superlative level of praise (מְהֻלָּל מְאֹד, mehulal me'od). This connection implies that true praise flows from a proper understanding of God's magnificent attributes.
• "He is also to be feared above all gods": This second clause highlights God's unparalleled authority and singular majesty. The phrase "to be feared" (נוֹרָא, nora) here conveys profound, reverential awe rather than mere terror, emphasizing God's uniqueness and His rightful place as the sole object of ultimate worship and submission. The assertion "above all gods" (עַל כָּל אֱלֹהִים, al kol elohim) is a decisive rejection of polytheism and any other rival claim to divinity, unequivocally establishing Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty and the impotency of all idols and false deities.

1 Chronicles 16 25 Bonus section

This verse reflects the consistent biblical theme of God's incomparability, a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament. It served as a powerful reminder to ancient Israel, who often struggled with adopting the idolatrous practices of surrounding cultures. David’s inclusion of this statement, in what would become a cornerstone of Israelite liturgy, firmly grounds their national identity and worship in exclusive devotion to Yahweh. The theological truth conveyed here is echoed in prophecies challenging idols (e.g., Isa 40-48), and in the foundational Shema (Deut 6:4-5), which declares Yahweh as "one" God. This declaration is foundational for monotheism and underscores the absolute nature of God’s sovereignty.

1 Chronicles 16 25 Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:25 forms the core theological assertion within David's song of praise, affirming the unmatched nature of Yahweh. It establishes a fundamental truth about God's identity: He is qualitatively "great," possessing infinite power, wisdom, and majesty, far beyond human comprehension. This inherent greatness is the direct basis for why He is "greatly to be praised"—not merely that He can be praised, but that His worth demands such praise abundantly. The praise offered to Him is therefore a reflection of His immeasurable worthiness.

The subsequent declaration, "He is also to be feared above all gods," emphasizes His absolute supremacy. "Feared" (nora) in this context signifies deep, reverential awe, born from the recognition of His terrifying holiness, unmatched power, and ultimate authority. This awe is contrasted sharply with any reverence given to "all gods" (elohim), which represents the false deities and idols worshipped by other nations. The verse explicitly polemicizes against all forms of polytheism and idolatry prevalent in the ancient Near East, declaring these "gods" as impotent or non-existent in comparison to the LORD. This foundational truth commands exclusive worship and allegiance from Israel, rejecting any syncretism or division of loyalty. It reminds believers that true worship and reverential awe are directed solely towards the incomparable Creator and Sustainer of all, fostering a worship life focused solely on Him.

Examples for practical usage:

• When faced with overwhelming worldly anxieties, remember that the LORD is great and worthy of praise, reminding us of His power to overcome.
• In times of temptation, recall that He is to be feared above all else, aligning our decisions with His perfect will and commands out of reverential awe.
• During worship, consider the boundless greatness of God to fuel deeper, more heartfelt praise, recognizing Him as the sole deserving recipient.