1 Chronicles 16:10

KJV

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Glory {H1984} ye in his holy {H6944} name {H8034}: let the heart {H3820} of them rejoice {H8055} that seek {H1245} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Glory in his holy name; let those seeking ADONAI have joyful hearts.

Berean Standard Bible

Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

American Standard Version

Glory ye in his holy name; Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:10, a vibrant declaration from David's psalm of thanksgiving, serves as a timeless call to worship and an assurance of profound joy. It commands believers to find their ultimate boast and honor in God's set-apart character, promising that those who diligently and earnestly pursue the Lord will experience a deep, abiding gladness in their hearts. This verse encapsulates the essence of true devotion, where glorifying God and seeking His presence are intrinsically linked to spiritual delight and fulfillment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a grand psalm of thanksgiving and praise delivered by King David, recited by Asaph and his brethren, on the momentous occasion of bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (found in [1 Chronicles 16:8-36](/1-chronicles/16 "1 Chronicles 16 - David's Psalm of Thanksgiving")). This psalm is a liturgical compilation, drawing heavily from [Psalm 105:1-15](/psalms/105 "Psalm 105 - God's Faithfulness to Israel"), [Psalm 96:1-13](/psalms/96 "Psalm 96 - A Call to Worship the LORD"), and [Psalm 106:1](/psalms/106-1 "Psalm 106:1 - Praise the LORD for His Goodness"). It immediately follows the detailed account of the Ark's sacred journey and its placement in the tent David had prepared, setting a tone of national celebration and spiritual reverence for God's established presence in the new capital.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (detailed in [1 Chronicles 15](/1-chronicles/15 "1 Chronicles 15 - The Ark Brought to Jerusalem") and [2 Samuel 6](/2-samuel/6 "2 Samuel 6 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem")) was a watershed moment in Israelite history. This event not only centralized Israel's worship in Jerusalem, establishing it as the spiritual and political capital, but also symbolized God's covenant presence dwelling among His people. The Ark, as the most sacred object, represented the very throne of God and His covenant faithfulness. The entire occasion was marked by immense national jubilation, solemn processions, and profound religious significance, reflecting the deep cultural and spiritual importance placed on God's active presence in the life of the nation.
* **Key Themes:** 1 Chronicles 16:10 contributes to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **worship and praise** as the appropriate response to God's presence and works, a recurring motif throughout Chronicles. Secondly, it highlights the **holiness and uniqueness of God's name**, which represents His entire character and attributes, underscoring the reverence due to Him. Thirdly, the verse powerfully connects the **active pursuit of God** ("seek the LORD") with the **experience of profound joy**. This theme resonates with the wisdom literature, where seeking God is presented as the path to life and blessing (e.g., [Proverbs 8:17](/proverbs/8-17 "Proverbs 8:17 - I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me")). Finally, it reinforces the **blessedness of God's covenant people** who prioritize His glory and presence above all else.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Hebrew, _halal'_):** This word carries the sense of shining forth, boasting, or praising. It is the root from which "Hallelujah" (Praise the Lord) is derived. In this context, it is not a call to human pride but to find one's honor, distinction, and ultimate satisfaction in God's character and reputation. It implies an active, enthusiastic, and public declaration of God's supreme worth and majesty.
* **Holy (Hebrew, _qadosh'_):** This adjective describes God's name, signifying His absolute purity, transcendence, and separation from all that is common, defiled, or imperfect. God's "holy name" refers to His entire being—His perfect, set-apart, and pure nature. To glory in His holy name is to acknowledge and celebrate His unique, unapproachable, and utterly distinct essence.
* **Seek (Hebrew, _darash'_):** This verb denotes a diligent inquiry, an earnest pursuit, a deep longing, and a determined quest. It implies more than a casual interest; it suggests a persistent and intentional effort to find, consult, or frequent God's presence, His will, and understanding of His ways. It is a commitment of the heart and mind to know and follow Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Glory ye in his holy name":** This is an imperative command, a direct instruction to the worshiper. It calls for believers to find their boast, their ultimate source of honor and identity, not in worldly achievements, possessions, or human strength, but solely in God's character and His revealed, set-apart nature. It is an invitation to celebrate, proclaim, and find supreme delight in who God is, recognizing His inherent worth and majesty.
* **"let the heart of them rejoice":** This clause expresses a desired outcome or consequence, a jussive mood. It declares that a profound, internal joy is the blessed result for a specific group of people. This joy is not superficial or fleeting but deeply seated in the "heart," which in Hebrew thought represents the totality of a person's inner being—their emotions, intellect, will, and conscience.
* **"that seek the LORD":** This phrase precisely identifies those who will experience the promised joy. It specifies individuals who actively, diligently, and earnestly pursue God's presence, His will, and His ways. This "seeking" is a continuous, intentional, and life-transforming endeavor, implying a deep desire for relationship and obedience.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. Most prominently, it utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD") echoes, reinforces, and expands upon the sentiment of the first ("Glory ye in his holy name"). This parallelism emphasizes the intrinsic connection between glorifying God and the joy experienced by those who earnestly pursue Him. The verse also uses the **Imperative Mood** ("Glory ye"), which serves as a direct command, underscoring the active and intentional nature of worship and devotion. Furthermore, "His holy name" functions as a **Metonymy** for God Himself, where the name stands in for His entire being, character, and attributes, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the object of their praise and pursuit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:10 profoundly articulates a core biblical truth: true human flourishing and joy are inextricably linked to the glorification and pursuit of God. It teaches that God's "holy name" is not merely a label but the full revelation of His perfect, set-apart character, which alone is worthy of our ultimate boast and adoration. The verse establishes a direct causal relationship: those who actively and diligently "seek the LORD"—a pursuit demanding heart, mind, and will—will inevitably find their hearts filled with a joy that transcends circumstances. This joy is not a byproduct of external success but an internal wellspring flowing from intimacy with the Creator, affirming that delight in God is both a command and a blessed consequence of a life centered on Him.

* [Psalm 34:2](/psalms/34-2 "Psalm 34:2 - My soul shall make her boast in the LORD")
* [Psalm 105:3](/psalms/105-3 "Psalm 105:3 - Glory in his holy name")
* [Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 1 Chronicles 16:10 serves as a profound and practical guide for Christian living. It challenges us to examine where we find our ultimate glory and satisfaction. Are we boasting in our accomplishments, possessions, or status, or is our deepest honor found in God's holy name? This verse calls us to reorient our lives, making the active pursuit of God our highest priority. To "seek the LORD" means to diligently engage with His Word, to commune with Him in prayer, to live in obedience to His commands, and to participate in the community of faith. When we prioritize seeking Him, we unlock a unique and lasting joy that is not dependent on fleeting worldly circumstances but flows from a deep, abiding relationship with the sovereign God. This joy empowers us to face trials with resilience and to live lives that authentically reflect His character to a watching world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I "glory in His holy name" in my daily life, both personally and publicly?**
* **What does it truly mean for me to "seek the LORD," and how diligently am I pursuing Him through prayer, study, and obedience?**
* **How does the joy promised in this verse differ from worldly happiness, and how can I cultivate this God-given joy more deeply in my heart?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of God's "holy name" in this verse?**

Answer: God's "name" in biblical thought represents His entire character, His revealed attributes, and His very essence. When the verse speaks of His "holy name," it emphasizes His absolute purity, His transcendence, and His complete separation from all sin, imperfection, and commonality. To "glory in his holy name" is to find our ultimate boast, honor, and satisfaction in who God is in His perfect, set-apart essence. It's an affirmation of His uniqueness, majesty, and unblemished moral perfection, acknowledging that He alone is worthy of such profound adoration and praise. It calls us to recognize and celebrate His distinctiveness and His inherent worth above all else.

**Does "seeking the LORD" imply a specific set of actions, or is it more of an attitude?**

Answer: While "seeking the LORD" certainly involves specific actions, it is fundamentally an orientation of the heart—a deep, earnest desire and commitment to know God more intimately and to align one's life with His will. The Hebrew word _darash_ implies a diligent inquiry and a determined pursuit. Practically, this involves consistent prayer, immersing oneself in God's Word ([Psalm 119:10](/psalms/119-10 "Psalm 119:10 - With my whole heart have I sought thee")), active participation in worship and Christian community, and striving for obedience to His commands. It's not a casual glance but a continuous, intentional quest for His presence and understanding of His ways, as encouraged in passages like [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek ye first the kingdom of God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 16:10 finds its ultimate and richest fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment and revelation of God's "holy name," for He declared, "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world" ([John 17:6](/john/17-6 "John 17:6 - Jesus Manifests God's Name")). In Christ, the very character and nature of God are made visible to humanity ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")). Furthermore, Jesus is the one through whom we are truly enabled to "seek the LORD," as He Himself proclaimed, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The profound joy promised to those who seek the Lord is supremely found in Christ, who offers His own joy to His followers, desiring that "your joy might be full" ([John 15:11](/john/15-11 "John 15:11 - Jesus' Joy in Believers")). Through His atoning sacrifice, our hearts are cleansed and reconciled to God, enabling us to truly glory in His holy name and to seek Him without fear, receiving the Holy Spirit who empowers this pursuit and fills us with "all joy and peace in believing" ([Romans 15:13](/romans/15-13 "Romans 15:13 - The God of hope fill you with all joy")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.