1 Chronicles 16:34
What does 1 Chronicles 16:34 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Chronicles 16:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Chronicles 16:34 means
This verse is a call to worship, urging all to give thanks to Yahweh, the personal name of God, emphasizing His inherent goodness. The phrase "loving kindness" (Hebrew: *hesed*) encapsulates God's loyal, steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness, which is not fleeting but "endures forever." This eternal quality of His *hesed* provides a secure foundation for trust and praise. The verse highlights a core attribute of God—His unchanging benevolent character—and invites a responsive gratitude from His people, acknowledging that His goodness and unfailing love are the fundamental reasons for offering Him thanks and worship. It points to a relational truth: God’s enduring love is the bedrock of His interaction with humanity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000O give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
KJV
King James Version · 1611O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901O give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949O give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy is unchanging for ever.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Give thanks to Jehovah, for good, For to the age, <FI>is<Fi> His kindness,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Give ye glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Give thanks unto Jehovah, for he is good; For his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever.
Context
This verse is part of a psalm of thanksgiving recited by David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem and placed in the tent he had prepared for it. Immediately preceding this verse (1 Chronicles 16:33), the natural world is depicted as rejoicing before Yahweh, establishing a context of universal praise. Following this verse (1 Chronicles 1 Chronicles 16:35-36), the psalm continues with pleas for God’s deliverance and concludes with a communal affirmation of praise. Thus, 1 Chronicles 16:34 serves as a central declaration of God’s goodness and enduring loving kindness, forming the thematic core of this spontaneous song of worship and gratitude in a moment of national celebration and spiritual renewal.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 136:1
Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
- Psalms 118:1
Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
- 2 Chronicles 5:13
it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking Jehovah; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised Jehovah, saying, For he is good; for his lovingkindness endureth for ever; that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of Jehovah,
- Jeremiah 33:11
the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that say, Give thanks to Jehovah of hosts, for Jehovah is good, for his lovingkindness endureth for ever; and of them that bring sacrifices of thanksgiving into the house of Jehovah. For I will cause the captivity of the land to return as at the first, saith Jehovah.
- Psalms 106:1
Praise ye Jehovah. Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
- Ezra 3:11
And they sang one to another in praising and giving thanks unto Jehovah, saying, For he is good, for his lovingkindness endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Jehovah, because the foundation of the house of Jehovah was laid.
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