1 Chronicles 16 9

1 Chronicles 16:9 kjv

Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

1 Chronicles 16:9 nkjv

Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!

1 Chronicles 16:9 niv

Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

1 Chronicles 16:9 esv

Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

1 Chronicles 16:9 nlt

Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.

1 Chronicles 16 verses

1 Chronicles 16 9 Meaning

The verse 1 Chronicles 16:9 is a dual imperative calling God's people to actively and joyfully worship Him through musical expression and verbal testimony. It commands them to "sing unto him" (an act of adoration through melody) and "sing psalms unto him" (a more specific reference to structured, instrument-accompanied praise). Furthermore, it exhorts them to "talk ye of all his wondrous works," urging the constant declaration and recounting of God's mighty, miraculous deeds, thereby celebrating His power, faithfulness, and redemptive acts. This instruction emphasizes a worship life that is both expressive in song and proclamatory in sharing divine accomplishments.

1 Chronicles 16 9 Context

This verse is embedded within David’s great psalm of thanksgiving (1 Chr 16:8-36) delivered upon the joyous occasion of bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and settling it in the tent David had prepared for it. This event marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history, centralizing national worship and symbolizing God's dwelling among His people. David appointed Levites to minister before the Ark with singing and musical instruments, signifying the importance of organized and fervent praise in the worship of Yahweh. The psalm itself is a composite, drawing heavily from Psalms 105, 96, and 106, underscoring God’s historical faithfulness to His covenant people, from Abraham through the Exodus, and their settlement in the land. Thus, the exhortation to sing and speak of God’s "wondrous works" is not merely a generic command to praise, but a call to remember and celebrate specific redemptive acts that form the core of Israel’s identity and relationship with God. The focus on YHWH's works inherently contrasts with the perceived works of pagan deities, implicitly making it a polemic against the polytheistic cults of surrounding nations.

1 Chronicles 16 9 Word analysis

• Sing unto him (שִׁירוּ־ל֣וֹ, shiru-lo): This is an imperative verb meaning "to sing," indicating a direct command for congregational vocal praise. It is a broad term for singing, emphasizing heartfelt vocal expression directed specifically to God. The dative pronoun "unto him" explicitly directs this worship solely towards the Lord (YHWH), asserting His exclusive claim to Israel's worship, contrasting with surrounding idol worship.
• sing psalms unto him (זַמְּר֣וּ־ל֔וֹ, zammeru-lo): This second imperative verb for "sing" (root zāmar) carries a richer connotation. It often implies a more melodious, formal, and sometimes instrument-accompanied singing of praises. This points to a cultivated form of worship, not just spontaneous song, aligning with David's establishment of Levitical musicians. The repetition of the command, using a different nuance of "sing," intensifies the exhortation for dedicated and artistic praise to God. It highlights that worship involves both general singing and deliberate, perhaps musical-instrument-assisted, praise, further centering this act upon the Lord.
• talk ye (שִׂיחוּ, sichu): This imperative verb (sîaḥ) signifies "to meditate," "to speak," "to utter," "to muse," or "to relate." Here, it is an active command to verbally recount or declare. It is more than just casual conversation; it implies a deliberate, reflective, and perhaps storytelling kind of declaration. This signifies that remembering God's acts should lead to verbal sharing and public proclamation, making one a living testimony to His greatness.
• of all his wondrous works (בְּכָל־נִפְלְאֹתָיו, bechol-nifle'otaiv):
  • "of all" (בְּכָל, bechol): This prepositional phrase means "in all" or "concerning all," signifying a comprehensive scope. Not just some, but every single one of God's miraculous deeds is worthy of recounting.
  • "his wondrous works" (נִפְלְאֹתָיו, nifle'otaiv): This noun refers to "wonders," "miracles," or "marvels." In biblical context, these are supernatural deeds that reveal God's unique power, majesty, and intervention in human history, often for salvific purposes. Key examples for the original audience would include creation, the Exodus, the parting of the Red Sea, the provision in the wilderness, and victories over enemies. For believers today, it encompasses these, alongside the supreme "wondrous work" of salvation through Jesus Christ, His resurrection, and His ongoing work in creation and in the lives of believers. It implies awe and reverence for the inexplicable and magnificent acts of God that surpass human ability or understanding.

1 Chronicles 16 9 Bonus section

This verse reflects a profound understanding of what biblical worship entails: it's active, public, vocal, and commemorative. The act of "talking about" God's works links praise directly to discipleship and evangelism. For the Israelite, recalling the Exodus and wilderness miracles was central to their identity and served as an educational tool for subsequent generations (Deut 6:7). Similarly, in the New Covenant, Christians "proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes" (1 Cor 11:26) and are called to "proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pet 2:9). The emphasis on "His wondrous works" directs worship away from human effort or mere self-expression, instead focusing entirely on the character and power of God as demonstrated through His tangible interventions in history and creation. This dual imperative to sing and speak ensures that worship is not only a celebration of God’s glory but also a powerful means of instruction and testimony, transmitting faith through both song and narrative.

1 Chronicles 16 9 Commentary

This verse stands as a foundational command for worship, articulated within a monumental act of Israelite devotion: the installation of the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem. It underscores a multifaceted approach to honoring God, combining both emotional expression and cognitive recall. The twofold command to "sing" demonstrates that God desires fervent, musical praise—not merely rote ritual, but a joyful, personal, and corporate response to His being. The added specific command to "sing psalms" further suggests structured, melodious forms of praise, highlighting a developed musical tradition integral to worship. Crucially, the verse balances this musical adoration with the intellectual and testimonial imperative to "talk of all His wondrous works." This moves worship beyond internal experience to outward declaration, emphasizing that true praise is rooted in God's historical actions. These "wondrous works" are the very fabric of God's self-revelation: His power in creation, His faithfulness in covenant, and His mighty acts of deliverance, all of which confirm His sovereignty and benevolence. This collective recounting of divine marvels not only fosters corporate memory and strengthens faith within the community but also serves as an implicit witness to the unique power and character of Yahweh in contrast to surrounding false gods. Thus, 1 Chronicles 16:9 teaches a worship that is not only musically vibrant but also intellectually engaged, publicly declared, and profoundly shaped by God’s mighty deeds.