1 Chronicles 16:14

KJV

He [is] the LORD our God; his judgments [are] in all the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

He is the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}; his judgments {H4941} are in all the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he is ADONAI our God, His judgments are everywhere on earth.

Berean Standard Bible

He is the LORD our God; His judgments carry throughout the earth.

American Standard Version

He is Jehovah our God; His judgments are in all the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:14 declares the foundational truth of God's identity and universal authority: "He [is] the LORD our God; his judgments [are] in all the earth." This concise statement encapsulates both God's unique covenant relationship with His people, Israel, and His absolute, comprehensive sovereignty over all creation and humanity, affirming His righteous rule and the inescapable nature of His divine will across the globe.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving and praise (1 Chronicles 16:8-36) delivered by King David on the momentous occasion of bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This event marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, symbolizing the re-establishment of God's central presence among His people. The psalm itself is a composite, drawing heavily from [Psalm 105](/psalms/105 "Psalm 105 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant"), [Psalm 96](/psalms/96 "Psalm 96 - Sing to the Lord a New Song"), and [Psalm 106](/psalms/106 "Psalm 106 - Israel's Rebellions and God's Mercy"), crafted to evoke worship and remembrance of God's mighty deeds and covenant faithfulness. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 16:14 is nearly identical to [Psalm 105:7](/psalms/105-7 "Psalm 105:7 - God's Judgments in All the Earth"), reinforcing a consistent biblical theme of God's supreme and universal reign. The verse serves as a declaration of allegiance and a reminder of God's active involvement in the world, setting the stage for the broader call to worship and proclaim His glory among the nations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem (described in [1 Chronicles 15](/1-chronicles/15 "1 Chronicles 15 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem") and [1 Chronicles 16](/1-chronicles/16 "1 Chronicles 16 - David's Psalm of Thanksgiving")) was more than a ceremonial act; it was a strategic and spiritual move by King David to centralize the worship of Yahweh and unify the nascent kingdom under God's sovereignty. Previously, the Ark had been in various locations since its return from Philistine captivity, lacking a permanent, dignified home. David's initiative demonstrated his commitment to God's covenant and his desire to establish Jerusalem as the spiritual capital. In a polytheistic ancient Near Eastern world, the declaration "He is the LORD our God" was a bold assertion of monotheism and an exclusive claim of allegiance to Yahweh, distinguishing Israel from surrounding nations who worshipped multiple deities. The emphasis on "judgments in all the earth" also challenged the common belief that deities were localized, affirming Yahweh's universal jurisdiction.
* **Key Themes:** 1 Chronicles 16:14 profoundly contributes to several key themes within the book of Chronicles and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **God's Covenant Faithfulness and Identity**. The phrase "the LORD our God" uses the covenant name Yahweh (LORD), emphasizing His personal, relational bond with Israel, established through promises and faithfulness, as seen throughout the narrative of [Exodus](/exodus/1 "Exodus - The Deliverance of Israel"). Secondly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Universal Rule**. The declaration that "his judgments are in all the earth" asserts God's absolute authority, not limited to Israel, but extending over all nations and creation. This theme is central to the Chronicler's purpose, demonstrating God's overarching control of history and human affairs, as illustrated in the rise and fall of kingdoms. Lastly, the verse reinforces the theme of **Worship and Remembrance**. The entire psalm, including this verse, serves as a powerful liturgical text, designed to prompt the people to recall God's mighty deeds, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, and His universal dominion, thereby fostering a spirit of reverence, trust, and obedience in their worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH'_):** This is the sacred Tetragrammaton, God's personal, covenant name, often rendered "Yahweh." It signifies God's self-existence ("I AM WHO I AM" in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - I AM WHO I AM")) and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises and covenant with Israel. In this context, it emphasizes the unique and intimate relationship between God and His chosen people, affirming His active presence and commitment.
* **God (Hebrew, _Elohim'_):** While _Elohim_ is a generic term for deity, when used in conjunction with YHWH, especially in the phrase "LORD our God," it refers specifically to the one true God. It emphasizes His power, majesty, and transcendence as the Creator and supreme Ruler of the universe, distinguishing Him from all other gods.
* **judgments (Hebrew, _mishpatim'_):** This term is far broader than merely punitive decrees. _Mishpatim_ encompasses God's righteous decrees, ordinances, laws, and the administration of justice. It refers to His perfect moral standards, His just acts in history, His governance of the world, and the righteous execution of His will. It signifies that God's rule is comprehensive, equitable, and ultimately inescapable, affecting all of humanity and creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He [is] the LORD our God":** This clause serves as a profound declaration of identity and relationship. "He" points to the specific God being praised in the psalm. "The LORD" (YHWH) identifies Him by His covenant name, emphasizing His personal, faithful character. "Our God" establishes a possessive, intimate bond with Israel, highlighting the unique covenant relationship He initiated and sustains with His chosen people. It's an affirmation of allegiance and recognition of His singular position as their divine protector, provider, and sovereign.
* **"his judgments [are] in all the earth":** This second clause expands the scope of God's authority from His covenant people to the entire cosmos. "His judgments" refers to His righteous decrees, laws, and the administration of His divine justice. "In all the earth" signifies the universal and comprehensive nature of His rule. It means His authority, His moral standards, and the execution of His will are not confined to a single nation or territory but extend over every nation, every individual, and all of creation. It implies His omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence in governance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. Primarily, it functions as a **Declarative Statement** or **Affirmation**, presenting a foundational theological truth about God's nature and dominion. The two clauses exhibit a subtle form of **Parallelism**, where the first clause identifies God's specific relationship with Israel ("the LORD our God"), and the second expands on His universal reach ("his judgments are in all the earth"). While not a direct synonymous or antithetical parallelism, it presents two complementary aspects of God's character. The phrase "all the earth" is an example of **Hyperbole** or **Merism**, signifying totality and universality, emphasizing the boundless extent of God's authority and justice. The entire verse serves as a concise **Theological Statement**, distilling complex truths about God's identity, sovereignty, and justice into a memorable and worship-provoking declaration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:14 is a theological cornerstone, succinctly articulating the dual nature of God as both intimately relational to His covenant people and universally sovereign over all creation. This verse underscores the biblical truth that the God of Israel is not a tribal deity, but the one true God whose authority transcends all boundaries. His "judgments" are not merely punitive but encompass His righteous governance, His moral order, and His active administration of justice across the globe. This universal reach ensures that no corner of the earth is outside His purview, and no act, good or evil, escapes His ultimate notice and accountability. It establishes the basis for understanding God's involvement in human history, His ultimate triumph over evil, and the eventual establishment of His perfect kingdom.

* [Psalm 105:7](/psalms/105-7 "Psalm 105:7 - God's Judgments in All the Earth")
* [Psalm 96:13](/psalms/96-13 "Psalm 96:13 - The Lord Comes to Judge the Earth")
* [Isaiah 45:22](/isaiah/45-22 "Isaiah 45:22 - Look to Me and Be Saved")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 1 Chronicles 16:14 offers profound comfort, unwavering assurance, and a clear call to action. The declaration "He is the LORD our God" reminds us that the transcendent, all-powerful Creator of the universe is also our personal, covenant-keeping Father, intimately involved in our lives and faithful to His promises. This truth should anchor our trust, especially amidst life's uncertainties and the world's chaos, knowing that our God is sovereign and actively working all things for His purposes. Furthermore, the assurance that "his judgments are in all the earth" provides a deep well of hope that ultimate justice will prevail. In a world often marked by injustice, corruption, and suffering, this verse affirms that God sees, God knows, and God will ultimately set all things right. This truth should inspire us to live righteously, to advocate for justice, and to trust in His perfect timing, while also fostering a global perspective that recognizes God's authority extends far beyond our personal circumstances or national borders, encompassing all peoples and nations in His divine plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that "He is the LORD our God" shape your personal relationship with Him, particularly in moments of doubt or struggle?**
* **In what ways does knowing "his judgments are in all the earth" bring you comfort or challenge in a world that often seems unjust or out of control?**
* **How might this verse inspire you to pray for or engage with God's global purposes, recognizing His universal dominion?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "LORD our God" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "LORD our God" is profoundly significant because it combines God's personal, covenant name, YHWH (rendered "LORD" in all caps), with the possessive "our God." This combination emphasizes two crucial aspects of God's nature and relationship with humanity. First, "the LORD" (YHWH) highlights His self-existent, eternal, and faithful character, particularly His commitment to His covenant promises. Second, "our God" signifies a unique, intimate, and relational bond with His people, Israel, and by extension, with all who are united to Him through faith. It is a declaration of allegiance, a recognition of His unique position as the one true God, and a reminder of His steadfast love and protective care for those who belong to Him. It distinguishes Him from all other deities and affirms His exclusive claim over His people.

**Does "judgments" primarily refer to punishment?**

Answer: While "judgments" (Hebrew: _mishpatim_) can certainly include punitive actions and divine retribution, its primary meaning in this context, and generally in the Old Testament, is much broader. _Mishpatim_ refers to God's righteous decrees, ordinances, laws, and the administration of justice. It encompasses His perfect moral standards, the principles by which He governs the universe, and His just acts in history. It speaks to His role as the supreme Lawgiver and Judge, whose righteous standards apply universally. Therefore, "his judgments are in all the earth" means that God's righteous rule, His moral order, and the execution of His divine will extend over every nation, every individual, and all of creation, ensuring that His perfect justice will ultimately prevail, bringing order and accountability to all things.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The declaration in 1 Chronicles 16:14, "He [is] the LORD our God; his judgments [are] in all the earth," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament reveals God's universal sovereignty and the reach of His righteous decrees, it is in Christ that these truths are fully embodied and extended to all humanity. Jesus is the very embodiment of God's righteous "judgments," for the Father "judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son" ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, But Has Given All Judgment to the Son")). His life, death, and resurrection perfectly upheld God's righteous standards, satisfying the demands of divine justice for sin. Through His atoning sacrifice, the "LORD our God" extends His covenant relationship beyond ethnic Israel to all who believe, fulfilling the promise that in Abraham's seed "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Call of Abram")). The universal reach of God's judgments is not only seen in Christ's authority to judge the living and the dead ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Has Fixed a Day to Judge the World")) but also in the global expansion of His kingdom, where His righteous rule is proclaimed and established "in all the earth" through the Great Commission ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")). Ultimately, the universal reign and perfect justice foreshadowed in 1 Chronicles 16:14 will be fully realized when Christ returns as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, establishing His eternal kingdom where righteousness dwells ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")).

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.