1 Chronicles 16:32 kjv
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
1 Chronicles 16:32 nkjv
Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.
1 Chronicles 16:32 niv
Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
1 Chronicles 16:32 esv
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!
1 Chronicles 16:32 nlt
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
1 Chronicles 16 32 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 96:11 | Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice... | Parallel cosmic praise |
| Psa 96:12 | let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult... | Direct parallel to 1 Chron 16:32 |
| Psa 96:13 | ...before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. | Reason for creation's joy |
| Psa 98:7 | Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! | Similar call for cosmic praise |
| Psa 98:8 | Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together | Nature expressing joy |
| Psa 148:7 | Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, | Calls sea to praise God |
| Psa 148:9 | mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! | Calls land formations and plants to praise |
| Psa 148:10 | Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! | Calls all animals to praise |
| Psa 19:1 | The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. | Creation silently testifies to God |
| Psa 69:34 | Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. | Broad call for all creation to praise |
| Psa 24:1 | The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. | God's ownership of all creation |
| Isa 55:12 | ...the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. | Prophetic image of nature rejoicing |
| Joel 2:21 | Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things! | God's goodness brings land joy |
| Joel 2:22 | Do not fear, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green... | Assurance for land and animals |
| Luk 19:40 | He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." | Inanimate objects can praise or testify |
| 1 Chron 16:33 | Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. | Immediate continuation of the passage |
| Psa 65:12 | The pastures of the wilderness overflow; the hills gird themselves with joy; | Fields showing abundant joy |
| Psa 65:13 | the meadows are clothed with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain; they shout and sing together for joy. | Valleys and meadows join in joyful praise |
| Rev 5:13 | And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them... saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing..." | Universal cosmic worship of God and Christ |
| Col 1:16 | For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him. | God as Creator, purpose of creation |
| Heb 1:3 | He is the radiance of the glory of God... upholding the universe by the word of his power. | Christ sustains all creation |
| Psa 77:16 | When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. | Sea's recognition and fear of God's power |
| Mark 4:39 | And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. | Jesus' authority over nature |
1 Chronicles 16 verses
1 Chronicles 16 32 Meaning
This verse is a fervent call for all of creation to express joyous praise to the Lord. It vividly imagines the vast, mighty sea with all its inhabitants joining a roaring chorus, and the cultivated land, the fields, bursting forth in glad celebration with everything within them. It emphasizes the universal reach of God's dominion and the natural, inherent response of the created order to His majesty and presence.
1 Chronicles 16 32 Context
This verse is part of a psalm sung by David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem, signifying the presence of God among His people (1 Chron 16:1-7). David appointed Levites to minister before the Ark, and this psalm (1 Chron 16:8-36) was likely composed for this occasion of joyous worship. It compiles sections from Psalm 105, Psalm 96, and Psalm 106, particularly emphasizing God's past faithfulness, present majesty, and future reign. The specific verses 16:23-33 are almost identical to Psalm 96:1-13. The historical context is one of profound national rejoicing and a new era of centralized worship in Jerusalem under King David, where the Ark symbolizes God's covenant presence and the legitimacy of David's kingdom.
1 Chronicles 16 32 Word analysis
Let the sea roar:
- "sea": יָם (yam). Refers to the vast, powerful, and sometimes fearsome ocean, often symbolizing untamable forces or great multitudes in the ancient mind. Its roaring indicates a powerful, awe-inspiring sound.
- "roar": יִרְעַם (yir'am). While often associated with thunder, strong winds, or a lion's roar, here it depicts the mighty, surging sound of the ocean waves. It signifies a powerful, visceral expression.
- This phrase is a divine invitation or command for an immense, natural element to declare God's glory with its most impressive sound. It implies the sea, despite its power, is subservient to God and participates in His praise.
and all that fills it:
- "all that fills it": וּמְלֹאוֹ (u'm'lo'o). Refers to everything that constitutes its "fullness"—all its aquatic creatures and the teeming life within its depths. This broad term ensures comprehensive inclusion of all life forms within the sea.
- It highlights that not only the immense entity of the sea itself, but also every single living being within it, should partake in this cosmic adoration, showing God's sovereignty over every individual creature.
let the field exult:
- "field": שָׂדַי (saday). Denotes cultivated land, farmland, often representing the settled, productive aspect of the earth, as opposed to wild nature or barren wilderness. It signifies the place of human toil and sustenance.
- "exult": יַעֲלֹז (ya'aloz). Means to jump for joy, be jubilant, to triumph. This verb suggests an overflowing, visible, and uncontainable delight.
- This phrase paints a picture of fertile land bursting forth in joy, as if in response to good harvest or favorable conditions, connecting agricultural abundance with divine blessing and praise.
and everything in it:
- "everything in it": וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר־בָּהּ (v'khol asher-bah). Refers to all life forms, plants, and natural elements residing within or supported by the land, similar to "all that fills it" for the sea.
- It ensures the totality of the earth's inhabitants, both animate and inanimate, visible and hidden, join in this grand expression of praise.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!": This is a powerful, parallel poetic structure typical of Hebrew poetry (parallelism). The two clauses ("sea...it" and "field...it") mirror each other, calling on different major spheres of creation (ocean and land) to respond in a similar, joyous, and total manner to the Lord. It signifies a comprehensive, universal call for nature itself, in its every aspect, to acknowledge God's majesty. The use of "let" (an imperative, jussive form) is a divine or divinely-inspired command/invocation, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the natural inclination of His creation to worship Him. This echoes a cosmic theology where all creation is sensitive to and participates in the divine narrative. It stands as an implicit polemic against nature deities by asserting that nature's power and abundance are not divine in themselves but manifestations subject to Yahweh.
1 Chronicles 16 32 Bonus section
The call for the "sea to roar" can also carry connotations of both the wildness and the profound mystery of the deep acknowledging the Lord. In ancient Near Eastern mythologies, the sea was often depicted as chaotic or governed by rebellious deities; however, here it is subject to Yahweh, commanded to praise Him. Similarly, the "field" symbolizes the fertile, life-giving earth that provides for humanity. Its "exultation" is a testimony to the Giver of life and sustenance. This perspective transforms ordinary observations of nature into powerful acts of divine worship, urging human perception to see God's hand in all things.
1 Chronicles 16 32 Commentary
This verse encapsulates a profound theological truth: all of creation is inherently designed to praise its Creator. It's not merely human beings who owe God praise, but the very fabric of the universe itself. The vivid imagery of the sea's mighty roar and the field's exuberant joy speaks to a primal, instinctive response of the natural world to its Author and Sustainer. This cosmic adoration transcends language, resonating through the sounds and vitality of life itself. It serves as a reminder that God's glory is not confined to sacred spaces or human endeavors, but permeates every aspect of existence, inviting a sense of wonder and encouraging humanity to join this grand chorus. The verse teaches that God's rightful reign over the cosmos compels even the most untamed or cultivated parts of creation to celebrate His sovereign presence, anticipating the full manifestation of His righteous rule. This passage ultimately serves as an exhortation for believers to align themselves with creation's perpetual praise, understanding that their worship is but a part of a much larger, cosmic symphony.
- Examples: Imagine the thunder of crashing waves as a natural anthem, or the silent explosion of spring blossoms as an expression of joy, or a field rich with harvest rustling as if celebrating. These everyday phenomena become expressions of God's grandeur.