1 Chronicles 16:30 kjv
Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
1 Chronicles 16:30 nkjv
Tremble before Him, all the earth. The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved.
1 Chronicles 16:30 niv
Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
1 Chronicles 16:30 esv
tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
1 Chronicles 16:30 nlt
Let all the earth tremble before him.
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
1 Chronicles 16 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 96:9-10 | "Worship the LORD...Tremble before Him, all the earth; Indeed, the world is firmly established—it will not be moved." | Direct parallel of the verse in Psalms |
| Psa 2:11 | "Serve the LORD with fear And rejoice with trembling." | Call to serve God with reverent awe |
| Psa 33:8 | "Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him." | Universal awe and reverence for the Lord |
| Psa 76:7 | "You, only You, are to be feared..." | God's uniqueness and might evoking fear |
| Jer 5:22 | "Do you not fear Me?...It is I who have placed the sand as the boundary for the sea..." | Creator's power demands fear and recognition |
| Psa 93:1 | "The LORD reigns, He is robed in majesty...Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved." | God's kingship and the world's stability |
| Psa 104:5 | "He established the earth upon its foundations, So that it will not totter forever and ever." | God's stable creation work |
| Job 26:7 | "He stretches out the north over empty space And hangs the earth on nothing." | Divine power in sustaining the universe |
| Prov 3:19 | "The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens." | God's wisdom in creating and establishing |
| Jer 10:12 | "It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom..." | Creator's wisdom and power in global establishment |
| Isa 45:18 | "For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is God!)...He established it..." | God as the singular and powerful Establisher |
| Psa 66:4 | "All the earth will worship You, And will sing praises to You..." | Universal worship prophesied and commanded |
| Isa 45:22-23 | "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth...For I am God, and there is no other...Every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance." | Universal turning and submission to God |
| Phil 2:10 | "So that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW..." | Future universal submission to Christ |
| Rev 5:13 | "And every created thing...heard saying, 'To Him who sits on the throne...be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.'" | Universal adoration of God and the Lamb |
| Psa 96:13 | "For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness..." | Trembling due to God's coming judgment |
| Heb 12:26-28 | "...whose voice then shook the earth...I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.'...that what cannot be shaken may remain." | Implied transient physical creation, unshakable spiritual kingdom |
| Psa 18:7 | "Then the earth shook and quaked..." | God's manifest presence causing physical tremor |
| Exo 19:18 | "Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke...the whole mountain quaked violently." | Physical trembling in God's powerful presence |
| Zech 14:9 | "And the LORD will be king over all the earth; on that day the LORD will be the only one..." | Future universal acknowledgment of God's kingship |
1 Chronicles 16 verses
1 Chronicles 16 30 Meaning
1 Chronicles 16:30 commands all people on Earth to show profound reverence and awe before God. This call to worship is anchored in the profound truth that God, by His sovereign power, has established and continuously upholds the world in such an enduring and stable way that it remains unshakable. The verse beautifully combines a universal summons to acknowledge God's majesty with a declaration of His unwavering cosmic control over creation.
1 Chronicles 16 30 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 16 chronicles the momentous occasion of King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, a pivotal event in Israelite history. Following this, David appointed Levitical priests for service and then led the people in a psalm of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. Verse 30 is an integral part of this inspired psalm, which consolidates elements from various Psalms, particularly Psa 96 and 105. Its historical context underscores the establishment of Jerusalem as Israel's spiritual capital and the renewed emphasis on the worship of YHWH. Culturally, this psalm stands as a stark declaration of God's unrivaled sovereignty over all creation, offering a powerful theological polemic against the chaotic creation myths and fickle nature deities prevalent in the surrounding pagan cultures. It asserts that the stability of the cosmos is not by chance or conflict, but by the deliberate, unwavering power of the one true God.
1 Chronicles 16 30 Word analysis
Tremble (חִיל – ḥîl): From a root suggesting writhing or quaking, it denotes deep awe, reverence, and respect. This is not fear of punishment but a profound and appropriate response to overwhelming holiness and majesty, inspiring submission and adoration. It signifies a visceral acknowledgment of God's supremacy and might.
before him (לְפָנָיו – ləfānāw): Literally meaning "before his face" or "in his presence." This emphasizes that the required reverence is a direct, personal response to God Himself, implying His immediate awareness and omnipresent watchfulness over all creation.
all the earth (כָּל־הָאָרֶץ – kōl hā'āreṣ): Denotes the universal scope of this command. It signifies that God's dominion extends not only to Israel but to the entire world and all its inhabitants, calling every nation and individual to recognize His sovereign authority.
indeed (אַף – 'af): This emphatic particle serves to strongly confirm and connect the preceding command ("tremble before him") with the ensuing reason. It reinforces the truth of God's creation and maintenance of the world as the irrefutable basis for all reverence.
the world (תֵּבֵל – tēbēl): While 'ereṣ (earth) can refer to land or the planet, tēbēl specifically emphasizes the inhabited world, highlighting the security and stability provided for humanity. It signifies God's direct interest in and providential care for human existence.
is firmly established (תִּכּוֹן – tikkōn): From the root kūn, meaning "to be firm, fixed, prepared." In the Nifal stem, it indicates a state of being firmly set up or securely founded. This conveys God's deliberate, powerful, and effective action in bringing creation into a state of ordered and enduring stability.
it will never be moved (בַּל־תִּמּוֹט – bal timmôṭ): Bal is a strong negative particle meaning "never" or "not at all," while timmôṭ is from the root mûṭ, meaning "to totter, waver, slip, fall." This emphatic double negative underscores the absolute, unwavering permanence and unshakeable nature of the world due to God's continuous sustaining power. It points to a divine constancy far beyond human comprehension.
"Tremble before him, all the earth": This collective injunction expresses the necessity for universal worship rooted in profound awe and deep respect for God. It contrasts sharply with any attempt to manipulate or diminish the Divine, instead demanding complete and humble submission to His absolute majesty.
"indeed, the world is firmly established—it will never be moved": This segment articulates the foundational theological truth that necessitates such universal reverence. It is a powerful affirmation of God's unfailing power not only to create but to uphold the cosmic order. It provides an unshakeable ground for trust in His sovereignty and stability in the face of all chaos.
1 Chronicles 16 30 Bonus section
The inclusion of this verse in David's psalm, marking the Ark's arrival in Jerusalem, imbues the physical presence of the Ark (symbolizing God's dwelling) with universal theological significance. It signifies that God's reign established through Israel extends globally to all creation. The "tremble" (ḥîl) can also carry the nuance of writhing in pain or childbirth, potentially hinting at the painful but redemptive process of God bringing forth a new era or establishing His full kingdom. While the verse states the world will "never be moved," referring to its divine establishment and reliable operation, Scripture elsewhere speaks of a new heaven and new earth. This paradox points to the spiritual permanence and eternal reality of God's kingdom and covenant faithfulness, which undergirds the present stable order, but transcends any physical, temporal creation.
1 Chronicles 16 30 Commentary
1 Chronicles 16:30 succinctly captures a profound theological truth about God's nature and humanity's required response. The command to "tremble before him, all the earth" is a universal summons to a worship that stems from awe, reverence, and profound respect for the Creator. This trembling is not one of abject terror, but a recognition of infinite power and holiness that humbles the heart and mind. It sets the true God apart from all lesser deities or idols, demanding exclusive devotion.
The reason for this universal awe immediately follows: "indeed, the world is firmly established—it will never be moved." This declares God's steadfast providential control. The stability of the physical cosmos – a reality observed daily – is presented as tangible evidence of God's enduring power and faithfulness. Unlike chaotic or fickle gods of other mythologies, the God of Israel is depicted as the unwavering anchor of existence. This divinely established order assures His people of His consistent nature, on which their faith can firmly rest. This foundational truth about God’s omnipotence and unwavering control over creation compels worship and deepens trust in His ability to sustain all things, even in the face of apparent chaos or uncertainty. It also foreshadows God's coming reign, implying a future justice founded on His inherent righteousness and unshakeable dominion.