1 Chronicles 16 29

1 Chronicles 16:29 kjv

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

1 Chronicles 16:29 nkjv

Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

1 Chronicles 16:29 niv

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

1 Chronicles 16:29 esv

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

1 Chronicles 16:29 nlt

Give to the LORD the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his presence.
Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor.

1 Chronicles 16 verses

1 Chronicles 16 29 Meaning

1 Chronicles 16:29 calls for an active and reverent acknowledgment of God's supreme majesty and worth. It instructs believers to attribute the honor and praise that rightfully belongs to the Lord, to approach Him with tangible expressions of devotion (whether physical offerings or heartfelt praise), and to prostrate themselves in worship in a manner that reflects His unique purity and majestic awe. This worship is not merely ritualistic but an embodiment of humility, submission, and adoration for who God is in His essence.

1 Chronicles 16 29 Context

1 Chronicles 16:29 is part of David's Psalm of Thanksgiving and praise, sung and proclaimed on the day the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. This event marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, symbolizing God's presence now dwelling centrally among His people in the designated city. David organized a grand celebration of worship, appointing Levites to minister before the Ark. The psalm itself (1 Chron 16:8-36) is largely a compilation of verses from Psalms 105, 96, and 106. Verse 29 specifically parallels Psalm 96:7-9 and Psalm 29:2, showing its deep roots in Israel's liturgical tradition. Historically, this declaration comes from a time when the worship of YHWH was being firmly established and centralized against the backdrop of surrounding polytheistic cultures. It serves as a strong affirmation of the singularity and supremacy of Israel's God, the LORD (YHWH), over all other so-called gods, directly challenging any form of idolatry by calling for exclusive devotion to Him. The immediate context is that of national thanksgiving and organized temple worship.

1 Chronicles 16 29 Word Analysis

• Ascribe: Hebrew hāvū (הָבוּ). It literally means "give," "bring," "offer." Here, it's an imperative, a command to actively assign, attribute, or render something. It's not passive recognition but an intentional act of honoring.
• to the LORD: Hebrew YHWH (יְהוָה). The covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, eternal, and personal nature. This highlights the unique recipient of this glory – the one true God who reveals Himself.
• the glory due His name: Hebrew khĕvôd shĕmô (כְּבוֹד שְׁמוֹ).
  • Glory (kāvôd - כָּבוֹד): Means weight, honor, dignity, splendor, reputation, majesty, the very essence or manifestation of a person's being.
  • His name (shēm - שֵׁם): Represents God's entire character, revelation, authority, and power. It’s not just a label but stands for all that God is.
  • This phrase emphasizes that God’s intrinsic worth, reputation, and divine nature are incomparable and deserving of supreme honor from all creation. It is His rightful due, not a gift.
• bring an offering: Hebrew śû û minḥâ (שְׂאוּ מִנְחָה).
  • Bring (śû û): Imperative, literally "lift up" or "carry," emphasizing purposeful presentation.
  • Offering (minḥâ - מִנְחָה): Can refer to a grain offering, a gift, tribute, or present. In the context of worship, it signifies a token of devotion, service, or allegiance. While literal sacrifices were part of Israel's worship, here, and especially in parallels, it points also to an offering of self, praise, or grateful obedience.
• and come before Him: Hebrew ûvō'û lĕfānâyw (וּבֹאוּ לְפָנָיו).
  • Come (bō'û): Imperative, literally "enter" or "go in."
  • Before Him (lĕfānâyw): Refers to entering God's direct presence, often implying His sanctuary, temple, or dwelling place. It signifies approaching with reverence and respect for His presence.
• worship: Hebrew hištahaû (הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ). The Hiphil form of šāḥâ, meaning "to bow down," "prostrate oneself," "do obeisance." This is a physical posture of ultimate submission, humility, and reverence. It implies yielding and complete surrender to a superior.
• the LORD in the splendor of holiness: Hebrew bĕhadrat-qōdeš (בְּהַדְרַת־קֹדֶשׁ).
  • Splendor (hadrat - הַדְרַת): Means majesty, beauty, adornment, glorious appearance. It refers to that which inspires awe and admiration.
  • Holiness (qōdeš - קֹדֶשׁ): Signifies separateness, sacredness, purity, moral perfection. It describes God’s intrinsic nature as utterly set apart from all that is profane or created, without flaw.
  • This phrase defines the manner of worship: it should be conducted in a way that reflects God’s awe-inspiring purity and majestic transcendence. It implies an internal disposition of awe and reverence, acknowledging His supreme sanctity, and an external conduct of purity that befits His character.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name": This phrase sets the fundamental call to worship. It's an active mandate to recognize and attribute God's inherent, unparalleled worth, expressed through His "name" – His character and revelation. This is His right, not a favor.
• "bring an offering and come before Him": This forms a bridge between the spiritual attitude and tangible actions of worship. The "offering" symbolizes dedication and giving from what one possesses, while "coming before Him" highlights the necessary approach into His sacred presence. It underscores intentional, consecrated approach.
• "worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness": This concludes the instruction by defining the quality of the worship. It must align with God's perfect and majestic purity. This means not just external acts, but internal reverence, purity of heart, and awe-inspired submission in His divine presence.

1 Chronicles 16 29 Bonus section

The repeated phrases found in this verse and its parallels (Ps 29:2; 96:7-9) indicate that it was likely a well-known liturgical declaration or call to worship in ancient Israel. This suggests it was not merely an ad hoc statement but a fundamental and enduring principle taught to God's people. This call is a divine invitation and imperative to align oneself with the ultimate reality of God's being, participating in the divine order where God is rightfully exalted. The emphasis on "due His name" underscores the intrinsic worth of God; He doesn't become glorious because we say He is, rather, we simply acknowledge what He already eternally is. Therefore, our worship is primarily a response to His revelation, not a means to make Him greater. This verse prefigures the New Testament emphasis on worship that is "in spirit and truth," flowing from a heart transformed by God's holiness and an understanding of His glorious character.

1 Chronicles 16 29 Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:29 encapsulates the core essence of worship in ancient Israel and beyond. It moves from a foundational call to acknowledge God's inherent glory ("Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name") to practical instructions for how that acknowledgment should be expressed ("bring an offering and come before Him") and finally, to the spiritual quality that must accompany such actions ("worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness").

The command to "ascribe" glory highlights that worship is primarily about attributing to God what He already possesses by nature – supreme honor, dignity, and weight. His "name" signifies His revealed character, power, and essence. True worship, therefore, flows from a deep understanding and recognition of who God is. It's a proactive declaration of His majesty, often a stark contrast to the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations that ascribed glory to lifeless entities.

The "offering" transitions the conceptual glory into a tangible act. While this initially referred to temple sacrifices, in a broader sense and in New Testament interpretation, it includes the offering of praise, thanks, obedience, and one's very self as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1; Heb 13:15). "Coming before Him" signifies intentionally entering into God's presence, whether metaphorically through prayer and devotion, or literally in His designated place of dwelling. This approach must be marked by reverence, for one enters the presence of the Holy.

The concluding phrase, "worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness," is paramount. It describes the manner of worship. "Holiness" refers to God's set-apartness, His absolute purity and moral perfection. "Splendor" adds majesty and awe. This means worship must not be casual or self-centered. It must reflect the awesomeness and transcendent purity of the one being worshipped. This calls for both internal purity of motive (through God's enabling grace) and external reverence. Our worship should not diminish God but elevate Him, revealing His unblemished character. In essence, this verse demands all-encompassing, heart-felt, and reverent devotion that appropriately reflects the majestic holiness of the LORD.

Examples:

• A grateful heart offering heartfelt praise for answered prayers (sacrifice of thanksgiving).
• Seeking to live a pure life that honors God, demonstrating the beauty of holiness.
• Humbly approaching God in prayer with a recognition of His supreme authority and majesty.