1 Chronicles 16:31 kjv
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.
1 Chronicles 16:31 nkjv
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; And let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns."
1 Chronicles 16:31 niv
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
1 Chronicles 16:31 esv
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
1 Chronicles 16:31 nlt
Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Tell all the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
1 Chronicles 16 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 96:10 | Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” ... | Direct parallel, emphasizes universal declaration. |
| Psa 97:1 | The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coasts be glad! | Echoes "LORD reigns" and "earth rejoice," broad scope. |
| Psa 98:9 | for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world ... | LORD's reign linked to His righteous judgment of the world. |
| Isa 52:7 | How beautiful... upon the mountains... one who brings good news... who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” | The gospel of God's reigning as good news, here to Zion. |
| Zech 14:9 | And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one. | Prophecy of God's ultimate universal reign. |
| Psa 9:8 | He judges the world in righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness. | LORD as ultimate King and Judge over all peoples. |
| Psa 47:8 | God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. | Explicitly states God's reign over nations. |
| Psa 145:13 | Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. | Eternal nature of God's reign/kingdom. |
| Rev 11:15 | Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” | Ultimate fulfillment of universal kingdom. |
| Rev 19:6 | Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. | Heavenly worship acknowledging God's universal rule. |
| Dan 4:34 | ...for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation. | Nebuchadnezzar's recognition of God's eternal dominion. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name... that every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. | Universal submission and confession of Christ's Lordship (linked to God's reign). |
| Hab 2:14 | For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. | Future global knowledge of God, supporting universal proclamation. |
| Isa 12:4-5 | And in that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD...” | Declaration of God's name and deeds among peoples. |
| Rom 1:20 | For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities... have been clearly seen... | Creation testifies to God, making universal worship appropriate. |
| Jer 10:10 | But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes... | Contrast with idols, affirms YHWH as the true and eternal King. |
| Eph 1:20-22 | ...he seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion... and he put all things under his feet... | Christ's supreme authority, mirroring God's reign. |
| Rom 10:18 | But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth...” | All creation's testimony of God, pointing to a universal witness. |
| 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 fear due to God's mighty acts. |
| Col 1:16-17 | For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth... He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. | Christ's cosmic preeminence and sustaining power, foundational for His/God's reign. |
| Isa 40:22 | It is he who sits above the circle of the earth... and stretches out the heavens like a curtain... | God's supreme position and control over all creation. |
1 Chronicles 16 verses
1 Chronicles 16 31 Meaning
This verse is a majestic call for all creation, both celestial and terrestrial, to experience profound joy and express jubilant recognition that the LORD (YHWH) reigns supreme. It is a universal proclamation intended to be heard and acknowledged specifically "among the nations," signifying that God's sovereignty extends beyond Israel to all peoples and realms, challenging all other claims to authority and power.
1 Chronicles 16 31 Context
This verse is part of the psalm of thanksgiving sung by David on the monumental day when the Ark of the Covenant was brought from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem, establishing a central place for the worship of the LORD among His people. This event signifies God's direct presence among Israel and His established kingship. The Chronicler emphasizes praise and worship, linking David's kingship and the future temple to the LORD's ultimate sovereignty. This public declaration served not only to encourage Israel in worship but also to proclaim God's universal reign beyond the borders of Israel, a stark contrast to the territorial gods of the surrounding nations. It celebrates YHWH as the undisputed King of all creation, not just a tribal deity.
1 Chronicles 16 31 Word analysis
- Let the heavens be glad (יִשְׂמְחוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם - yismekhu ha-shamayim): A divine invitation and command for the celestial realm—representing cosmic powers, angelic beings, or metaphorically the entire universe above—to burst forth in joyful celebration. This signifies that God's reign brings intrinsic joy to the created order. The heavens here embody a universal recognition of divine kingship.
- and let the earth rejoice (וְתָגֵל הָאָרֶץ - v'tagel ha-aretz): A parallel and complementary call to the terrestrial sphere, including humanity and all earthly life, to experience and express jubilant gladness. The word for "rejoice" (tagel) often implies exultant, triumphant joy, indicative of victory or ultimate delight. Together with "heavens," it emphasizes the comprehensive, universal scope of God's reign and its appropriate response.
- and let them say (וְיֹאמְרוּ - v'yomeru): "Them" refers to the heavens and the earth personified, or more precisely, the inhabitants and powers of both realms that acknowledge God's rule. This signifies a proactive, vocal proclamation, not just an internal feeling of joy. It is a declarative statement intended for broad reception.
- among the nations (בַּגּוֹיִם - ba-goyim): This is a critical phrase. Goyim refers to the Gentile nations, non-Israelite peoples. The proclamation is not confined to Israel; it is a global, missional message. It asserts YHWH's authority over all peoples, directly challenging any claims of sovereignty by pagan gods or human rulers. This highlights Israel's role as a light to the nations, making known the one true God.
- The LORD reigns! (יְהוָה מָלָךְ - YHWH malakh):
- The LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The unique covenant name of God, revealing His personal, eternal, and self-existent nature. This name signifies His faithfulness and sovereign authority as the God who acts in history. It asserts His unparalleled uniqueness over all other so-called gods.
- reigns (מָלָךְ - malakh): This verb, in its perfect tense in Hebrew, often carries the nuance of "He has reigned, He began to reign and continues to reign," or simply, "He is King." It is a declaration of existing, continuous, and supreme kingship. It encapsulates the core theology of Israel that their God is the active, sovereign ruler of the universe. This phrase functions as a triumphant acclamation of God's ultimate and unassailable authority. It served as a powerful polemic against the regional deities (like Baal) worshiped by surrounding nations, proclaiming YHWH as the sole legitimate King over all.
1 Chronicles 16 31 Bonus section
This verse is a significant example of liturgical poetry and confession within Israel's worship. The phrase "The LORD reigns!" (YHWH malakh!) became a central and recurring motif, particularly within the Psalter (e.g., Ps 93:1, 96:10, 97:1, 99:1), suggesting it functioned as a powerful declaration of faith and an anthem of sovereignty. Its inclusion in 1 Chronicles 16 demonstrates the Chronicler's emphasis on David's establishment of proper worship and recognition of YHWH's universal dominion, setting the stage for Solomon's Temple. This anticipatory declaration of God's universal reign also points forward to the New Testament, where the advent of Jesus Christ is understood as the inauguration and progressive manifestation of God's kingdom on earth, culminating in His final glorious reign (Rev 11:15).
1 Chronicles 16 31 Commentary
1 Chronicles 16:31 distills the heart of true worship: the joyful affirmation of God's kingship. As David led Israel in bringing the Ark, the very symbol of God's presence, into Jerusalem, this declaration marked a turning point, not merely for Israel but for the cosmic order. It's a profound invitation for every part of creation to join in recognizing the active, present reign of YHWH. The call for "heavens to be glad" and "earth to rejoice" transcends human experience, positing that the entire cosmos intrinsically aligns with and delights in the sovereign will of its Creator. Crucially, this truth is not to remain exclusive to Israel; it must be proclaimed "among the nations," asserting YHWH's universal authority over all peoples and every idol. "The LORD reigns!" is a concise, yet powerful, theological statement, functioning as a fundamental truth that both assures His people and confronts a world often adrift without ultimate authority, calling them to acknowledge the only true King.