1 Chronicles 16 35

1 Chronicles 16:35 kjv

And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.

1 Chronicles 16:35 nkjv

And say, "Save us, O God of our salvation; Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles, To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise."

1 Chronicles 16:35 niv

Cry out, "Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise."

1 Chronicles 16:35 esv

Say also: "Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

1 Chronicles 16:35 nlt

Cry out, "Save us, O God of our salvation!
Gather and rescue us from among the nations,
so we can thank your holy name
and rejoice and praise you."

1 Chronicles 16 verses

1 Chronicles 16 35 Meaning

1 Chronicles 16:35 is a collective prayer and exhortation within David's psalm of thanksgiving. It calls upon God for present salvation, national restoration through the gathering of the dispersed, and deliverance from hostile foreign nations. The ultimate purpose of this divine intervention is so that the rescued people can give thanks to God's holy name and find glory in His praise, recognizing Him as the sole source of their deliverance and worthy of all adoration. It combines an appeal for rescue with a declaration of God's redemptive purpose: leading to worship and exultation in Him.

1 Chronicles 16 35 Context

1 Chronicles 16 forms the heart of David's worship arrangements following the triumphant bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and its placement in a tent prepared for it (1 Chr 15-16). This chapter describes David's appointed levitical worship leaders, their duties, and records a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving (vv. 8-36) which David delivered on that momentous day. The psalm is a compilation of verses primarily from Psalm 105:1-15, Psalm 96:1-13, and concluding with verses from Psalm 106:1, 47-48. Verse 35 specifically is taken verbatim from Psalm 106:47-48. While celebrating God's past faithfulness and present victory, the psalm also looks forward, acknowledging the future challenges and relying on God for continued deliverance and gathering of His people, embodying both immediate joy and long-term hope for national vindication and universal praise.

1 Chronicles 16 35 Word analysis

• Say ye, (אִמְרוּ, ʾimrū): This is a masculine plural imperative, calling the gathered congregation, the Levites, and ultimately all of Israel to speak this prayer/exhortation together. It implies a public, collective declaration of faith and supplication.
• Save us, (הוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ, hôshīʿēnu): From the root יָשַׁע (yāshaʿ), meaning "to be open, wide," thus "to be safe, free," implying deliverance, rescue, salvation. It’s an urgent plea for God’s saving action, both immediately and ultimately. This is the act of providing comprehensive safety and victory.
• O God (אֱלֹהֵי, ʾĕlōhê): Elohim in construct state, identifying God as the specific subject of the following phrase.
• of our salvation, (יִשְׁעֵנוּ, yishʿēnû): The noun form of yashaʿ, meaning "salvation, deliverance, welfare." "God of our salvation" is a specific title acknowledging Him as the very source and possessor of their rescue. He doesn't merely give salvation, He IS their salvation.
• and gather us together, (וְקַבְּצֵנוּ, wəqabbᵉṣēnū): From קָבַץ (qābaṣ), "to gather, collect, assemble." This word points to the future ingathering of Israel, often from dispersion among the nations, emphasizing divine initiative in restoration. This foreshadows exilic experiences and the ultimate ingathering in the messianic age.
• and deliver us (וְהַצִּילֵנוּ, wəhaṣṣilēnū): From נָצַל (nāṣal), "to snatch away, rescue, deliver." This is an active deliverance, often from an impending danger, distinct from the broader concept of "saving." It speaks to immediate removal from peril.
• from the heathen, (מִן הַגּוֹיִם, min hagōyīm): Literally, "from the nations/Gentiles." In an Israelite context, these are often pagan nations who are enemies or oppressors, or who serve other gods, representing foreign powers or influence that threaten Israel's identity and security. It carries a polemical tone against false gods worshipped by these nations.
• that we may give thanks (לְהֹדוֹת, ləhôdôt): From יָדָה (yādāh), meaning "to thank, praise, confess." It denotes an acknowledgment of God’s benefits and acts, expressed through verbal praise and gratitude. It presents the purpose of God's saving acts.
• to thy holy name, (לְשֵׁם קָדְשֶׁךָ, ləšēm qodšekā): "Name" represents God's revealed character, authority, and presence. "Holy" (qōdeš) signifies His separateness, majesty, and absolute purity. Giving thanks to His holy name means acknowledging who He is in His perfect, set-apart essence and His mighty deeds.
• and glory (לְהִשְׁתַּבֵּחַ, ləhishtabbaḥ): From שָׁבַח (šābaḥ), "to praise, boast, commend, celebrate." Here, it's about finding satisfaction, exultation, or boasting in God Himself, particularly in His deeds and character, distinct from simply thanking Him. It's an expression of confident delight and pride in who God is.
• in thy praise. (בִּתְהִלָּתֶךָ, bitᵉhillātekā): From תְּהִלָּה (tᵉhillāh), meaning "praise, song of praise, glory." It can refer to God's praiseworthy attributes or the acts of praise directed to Him. To "glory in Thy praise" means to exult in the honor and renown that rightfully belongs to God.

Words-group analysis:

• "Save us, O God of our salvation": This phrase emphasizes God as the sole and complete source of deliverance. It moves beyond just a request for an act of saving to an acknowledgement of God's very being as salvific. This foundational trust underpins all further requests.
• "and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen": This plea specifically addresses Israel's physical and national security. "Gathering" hints at potential dispersion (which would indeed happen later in their history), while "delivering from the heathen" speaks to liberation from oppressive foreign powers. It's a prayer for national restoration and protection.
• "that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise": This segment reveals the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive work. Salvation is not an end in itself, but a means to enable and inspire deep, meaningful worship and exultation of God. "Thy holy name" highlights God's intrinsic holiness and unique character as the object of praise, while "thy praise" suggests finding joy and fulfillment in His celebrated acts and attributes. The result of God's saving acts is devoted worship and glorification of Him.

1 Chronicles 16 35 Bonus section

The inclusion of Psalm 106:47-48 in David's foundational hymn of praise at the Ark's arrival is significant. It subtly acknowledges that even at the height of national spiritual revival and unity under David, there was a prophetic awareness of future national dispersal and the ongoing need for God's active preservation against "the heathen." This verse connects Israel's initial settlement and blessing in the land with their ongoing need for divine protection, echoing themes of the Mosaic covenant where obedience leads to security but disobedience to scattering and subsequent divine re-gathering. It also underscores the communal aspect of Israelite worship; the petition is for "us," reflecting the solidarity and shared destiny of God's covenant people, and the praise is offered corporately.

1 Chronicles 16 35 Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:35, as part of David's psalm, is a remarkable blend of present thanksgiving and future anticipation. At a moment of national celebration (bringing the Ark), David includes a prayer for continued deliverance and a future gathering of his people. This suggests a recognition of ongoing challenges and God's consistent role as Savior throughout history, not just for past victories. It's a call for God's active intervention in Israel's national life, securing them from external threats and restoring any dispersed members. Crucially, the verse anchors the purpose of this divine intervention not in comfort or security for their own sake, but explicitly for the glory of God. Deliverance is for worship; salvation is for glorification. This fundamental connection between redemption and adoration is a consistent biblical theme, affirming that all God's acts ultimately redound to His praise and that humanity's highest calling is to worship Him. It encourages believers to pray with the understanding that God's answers aim to bring Him renown.