1 Chronicles 29 10

1 Chronicles 29:10 kjv

Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

1 Chronicles 29:10 nkjv

Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.

1 Chronicles 29:10 niv

David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.

1 Chronicles 29:10 esv

Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever.

1 Chronicles 29:10 nlt

Then David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly: "O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever!

1 Chronicles 29 verses

1 Chronicles 29 10 Meaning

This verse captures King David's heartfelt public act of worship and adoration. After the overwhelming generosity displayed by the people in contributing towards the future temple, David blessed the Lord. To "bless" God means to acknowledge and declare His inherent worthiness, supreme power, and holy nature. He addresses God directly as the covenant Lord (YHWH), the "God of Israel," specifically recognizing His unique relationship with His chosen people, and tenderly as "our Father." This declaration concludes with an affirmation of God's eternal dominion and praiseworthiness, signifying that His glory and right to be blessed extend without end, "forever and ever." It embodies a deep theological understanding of God's absolute sovereignty and His perpetual rule over all things.

1 Chronicles 29 10 Context

First Chronicles 29:10 is the opening of King David's magnificent prayer, spoken at a pinnacle moment in Israel's history. Immediately preceding this verse, the people and their leaders had demonstrated extraordinary, unified generosity in contributing vast quantities of materials for the future temple, far exceeding what David had already prepared (1 Chr 29:6-9). This act of corporate worship and devotion prompts David's outpouring of praise. The broader chapter recounts David's final preparations for the temple, his commissioning of Solomon, and the people's willing contributions. Historically, David is at the close of his successful reign, having united the tribes and secured the kingdom. This prayer underscores David's devout character, his deep theological understanding, and the Chronicler's emphasis on the sacred lineage of kingship, the proper response to divine blessing, and God's absolute sovereignty over all possessions and human efforts.

1 Chronicles 29 10 Word analysis

• "Therefore": This conjunction establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship. David's prayer of blessing is a direct, Spirit-filled response to the exuberant and willing offerings given by the leaders and people for the temple construction. It signifies that true gratitude for divine provision and enablement naturally leads to adoring God.
• "David blessed": The Hebrew verb is vay'varekh (וַיְבָרֶךְ), derived from barak (ברך). When applied to humans blessing God, it signifies a pouring forth of praise, thanksgiving, and adoration, acknowledging God's inherent perfection and worthiness. It is not conferring anything upon God but recognizing what He inherently is.
• "the Lord": Refers to YHWH (יהוה), God's personal, covenantal name revealed to Israel, particularly associated with His faithfulness to His promises and His active involvement in their history. David uses this name to acknowledge God's unique identity as Israel's redeemer and protector.
• "before all the assembly": The phrase l'eynei kol ha-qahal (לְעֵינֵי כָּל הַקָּהָל) means "in the eyes of all the congregation." This highlights the public, corporate, and instructional nature of David's praise. It was a communal act of worship, modeling appropriate reverence and gratitude for all gathered, the qahal denoting the formal, often sacred, gathering of the people.
• "and David said: Blessed art thou, Lord God": Baruch attah YHWH Elohei (בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי). The direct address "Blessed art thou" ("Baruch attah") is a standard opening for Jewish blessings (berakhot), affirming that God is the rightful recipient of all praise. Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) emphasizes God's supreme deity and universal power, here combined with YHWH to stress both His omnipotence and His covenant relationship.
• "of Israel": Yisrael (ישראל) serves as a specific descriptor, emphasizing God's unique relationship and covenant faithfulness to His chosen nation, descended from Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. It highlights His historical actions and promises centered on this people.
• "our father": The Hebrew avinu (אָבִינוּ) is a profound and intimate designation. It goes beyond God as a mere Creator or distant ruler, depicting Him as one who has a personal, nurturing, and caring relationship with His people, akin to a loving father. This prefigures the New Testament emphasis on God as Father to believers.
• "for ever and ever": The Hebrew min ha-olam v'ad ha-olam (מִן הָעוֹלָם וְעַד הָעוֹלָם) translates as "from age to age" or "from eternity to eternity." It profoundly emphasizes God's timelessness, unchangeable nature, and unending reign, indicating that His glory and His deserving of blessing extend perpetually through all history and into eternity.

1 Chronicles 29 10 Bonus section

The Chronicler, in crafting this account, presents David not merely as a military conqueror or political unifier, but as the archetypal worshipper and the faithful steward of God's will concerning the temple. David's prayer, beginning with this verse, stands as a theological high point, emphasizing YHWH's absolute supremacy, underscoring that even the unprecedented wealth for the temple originated from God. The tenderness of addressing God as "our Father" is a significant development in Old Testament theology, particularly profound given the monarchical context, suggesting a deep personal and familial bond between God and His people, which would later be more fully elaborated in the New Covenant. The sustained focus on YHWH throughout the chapter, particularly in David's prayer, implicitly served as a polemic against the polytheistic tendencies and idol worship of surrounding nations, firmly asserting the uniqueness and sole sovereignty of the God of Israel. This doxology became a model for later Jewish liturgical practice and worship.

1 Chronicles 29 10 Commentary

First Chronicles 29:10 is not merely an expression of thanksgiving, but a powerful theological declaration. David, as king, models authentic leadership in worship, directing attention not to human achievements, but immediately back to God as the source of all blessing and capability. This verse sets the stage for the following attributes David extols about God in his prayer. It powerfully integrates the recognition of God's transcendence ("Lord God," "forever and ever") with His immanence and covenant relationship ("God of Israel," "our Father"). This highlights that human acts of generosity and devotion are merely responses to God's prior grace and that all glory belongs solely to Him who is eternally worthy. It underscores that God’s unchanging character provides the secure foundation for both collective worship and individual spiritual vitality.

• Examples:
  • In a congregational setting, ensure that public prayer consistently gives God the glory for any successful ministry, generous giving, or spiritual growth, just as David did publicly.
  • When personally experiencing unexpected blessings or resources, make a conscious effort to voice adoration to God, acknowledging His ownership and providential hand.
  • Embrace the intimate term "our Father" in private prayer, recognizing God's deep love and care as David did on behalf of his nation.