TRV
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Commentary on 1 Chronicles 16 verses 7–36
We have here the thanksgiving psalm which David, by the Spirit, composed, and delivered to the chief musician, to be sung upon occasion of the public entry the ark made into the tent prepared for it. Some think he appointed this hymn to be daily used in the temple service, as duly as the day came; whatever other psalms they sung, they must not omit this. David had penned many psalms before this, some in the time of his trouble by Saul. This was composed before, but was now first delivered into the hand of Asaph, for the use of the church. It is gathered out of several psalms (from the beginning to Ch1 16:23 is taken from Psa 105:1, etc.; and then Ch1 16:23 is the whole 96th psalm, with little variation; Ch1 16:34 is taken from Psa 136:1 and divers others; and then the last two verses are taken from the close of Ps. 106), which some think warrants us to do likewise, and make up hymns out of David's psalms, a part of one and a part of another put together so as may be most proper to express and excite the devotion of Christians. These psalms will be best expounded in their proper places (if the Lord will); here we take them as they are put together, with a design to thank the Lord (Ch1 16:7), a great duty, to which we need to be excited and in which we need to be assisted. 1. Let God be glorified in our praises; let his honour be the centre in which all the lines meet. Let us glorify him by our thanksgivings (Give thanks to the Lord), by our prayers (Call on his name, Ch1 16:8), by our songs (Sing psalms unto him), by our discourse - Talk of all his wondrous works, Ch1 16:9. Let us glorify him as a great God, and greatly to be praised (Ch1 16:25), as supreme God (above all gods), as sole God, for all others are idols, Ch1 16:26. Let us glorify him as most bright and blessed in himself (Glory and honour are in his presence, Ch1 16:27), as creator (The Lord made the heavens), as the ruler of the whole creation (His judgments are in all the earth, Ch1 16:14), and as ours - He is the Lord our God. Thus must we give unto the Lord the glory due to his name (Ch1 16:28, Ch1 16:29), and own it, and much more, his due. 2. Let other be edified and instructed: Make known his deeds among the people (Ch1 16:8), declare his glory among the heathen (Ch1 16:24), that those who are strangers to him may be led into acquaintance with him, allegiance to him, and the adoration of him. Thus must we serve the interests of his kingdom among men, that all the earth may fear before him, Ch1 16:30. 3. Let us be ourselves encouraged to triumph and trust in God. Those that give glory to God's name are allowed to glory in it (Ch1 16:10), to value themselves upon their relation to God and venture themselves upon his promise to them. Let the heart of those rejoice that seek the Lord, much more of those that have found him. Seek him, and his strength, and his face: that is, seek him by the ark of his strength, in which he manifests himself. 4. Let the everlasting covenant be the great matter of our joy and praise (Ch1 16:15): Be mindful of his covenant. In the parallel place it is, He will be ever mindful of it, Psa 105:8. Seeing God never will forget it, we never must. The covenant is said to be commanded, because God has obliged us to obey the conditions of it, and because he has both authority to make the promise and ability to make it good. This covenant was ancient, yet never to be forgotten. It was made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were long since dead (Ch1 16:16-18), yet still sure to the spiritual seed, and the promises of it pleadable. 5. Let God's former mercies to his people of old, to our ancestors and our predecessors in profession, be commemorated by us now with thankfulness to his praise. Let it be remembered how God protected the patriarchs in their unsettled condition. When they came strangers to Canaan and were sojourners in it, when they were few and might easily have been swallowed up, when they were continually upon the remove and so exposed, when there were many that bore them ill-will and sought to do them mischief, yet no man was suffered to do them wrong - not the Canaanites, Philistines, Egyptians. Kings were reproved and plagued for their sakes. Pharaoh was so, and Abimelech. They were the anointed of the Lord, sanctified by his grace, sanctified by his glory, and had received the unction of the Spirit. They were his prophets, instructed in the things of God themselves and commissioned to instruct others (and prophets are said to be anointed, Kg1 19:16; Isa 61:1); therefore, if any touch them, they touch the apple of God's eye; if any harm them, it is at their peril, Ch1 16:19-22. 6. Let the great salvation of the Lord be especially the subject of our praises (Ch1 16:23): Show forth from day to day his salvation, that is (says bishop Patrick), his promised salvation by Christ. We have reason to celebrate that from day to day; for we daily receive the benefits of it, and it is a subject that can never be exhausted. 7. Let God be praised by a due and constant attendance upon him in the ordinances he has appointed: Bring an offering, then the fruit of the ground, now the fruit of the lips, of the heart (Heb 13:15), and worship him in the beauty of holiness, in the holy places and in a holy manner, Ch1 16:29. Holiness is the beauty of the Lord, the beauty of all sanctified souls and all religious performances. 8. Let God's universal monarchy be the fear and joy of all people. Let us reverence it: Fear before him, all the earth. And let us rejoice in it: Let the heavens be glad and rejoice, because the Lord reigns, and by his providence establishes the world, so that, though it be moved, it cannot be removed, nor the measures broken which Infinite Wisdom has taken in the government of it, Ch1 16:30, Ch1 16:31. 9. Let the prospect of the judgment to come inspire us with an awful pleasure, Let earth and sea, fields and woods, though in the great day of the Lord they will all be consumed, yet rejoice that he will come, doth come, to judge the earth, Ch1 16:32, Ch1 16:33. 10. In the midst of our praises we must not forget to pray for the succour and relief of those saints and servants of God that are in distress (Ch1 16:35): Save us, gather us, deliver us from the heathen, those of us that are scattered and oppressed. When we are rejoicing in God's favours to us we must remember our afflicted brethren, and pray for their salvation and deliverance as our own. We are members one of another; and therefore when we mean, "Lord, save them," it is not improper to say, "Lord, save us." Lastly, Let us make God the Alpha and Omega of our praises. David begins with (Ch1 16:8), Give thanks to the Lord; he concludes (Ch1 16:36), Blessed be the Lord. And whereas in the place whence this doxology is taken (Psa 106:48) it is added, Let all the people say, Amen, Hallelujah, here we find they did according to that directory: All the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord. When the Levites had finished this psalm or prayer and praise, then, and not till then, the people that attended signified their consent and concurrence by saying, Amen, And so they praised the Lord, much affected no doubt with this newly instituted way of devotion, which had been hitherto used in the schools of the prophets only, Sa1 10:5. And, if this way of praising God please the Lord better than an ox or a bullock that has horns and hoofs, the humble shall see it and be glad, Psa 69:31, Psa 69:32.
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SUMMARY
This verse, embedded within King David's psalm of thanksgiving upon the Ark of the Covenant's arrival in Jerusalem, powerfully reiterates God's ancient and unwavering promise to Israel concerning the land of Canaan. It serves as a profound reminder of divine faithfulness, emphasizing that Israel's possession of the land was not by human might but by God's sovereign declaration and gracious gift, designated as their permanent inheritance.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. The most prominent is Direct Quotation, as David's psalm directly quotes God's words ("Saying, Unto thee will I give..."). This device lends immense authority and immutability to the promise, presenting it as an unchangeable divine decree. There is also an element of Repetition or Echo, as this promise reiterates the foundational covenant declaration first made to Abraham and subsequently to his descendants, reinforcing its significance and continuity throughout Israel's history. Furthermore, the phrase "the lot of your inheritance" uses Metonymy, where "lot" (the means of apportionment) stands for the "allotted portion" itself, emphasizing the divine precision and intentionality in distributing the land. Finally, the Symbolism of the land of Canaan itself is profound; it represents not just territory, but God's faithfulness, His presence among His people, and the tangible fulfillment of His covenant promises.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse encapsulates a cornerstone of Old Testament theology: God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. The promise of the land of Canaan, first made to Abraham, was not a fleeting declaration but a foundational commitment that shaped Israel's identity, history, and destiny. It demonstrates God's active involvement in the affairs of humanity, orchestrating events over centuries to bring His promises to fruition. The land was not merely a physical dwelling but a sign of God's presence, blessing, and the place where His covenant people could live in fellowship with Him. This divine promise-keeping nature establishes a pattern of trust for all believers, assuring them that God's word is reliable and His purposes will ultimately prevail, regardless of intervening challenges or delays.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth embedded in 1 Chronicles 16:18 is God's absolute faithfulness to His promises. For ancient Israel, this verse was a powerful reminder that their very existence in the land was a testament to God's enduring word, not their own strength. For believers today, this historical fact serves as a bedrock for our faith. Just as God meticulously fulfilled His promise of a physical inheritance to Israel, we can trust that He will fulfill every spiritual promise He has made to us through Christ. This includes promises of salvation, eternal life, His presence, and His provision. When we face uncertainties or delays in our own lives, remembering God's centuries-long commitment to the land promise can fortify our trust, reminding us that His timing is perfect and His word is unbreakable. It calls us to rest in His sovereign plan, knowing that what He has promised, He will surely bring to pass.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the promise of the land of Canaan so important in the Old Testament?
Answer: The promise of the land of Canaan is foundational because it is a central component of the Abrahamic Covenant, the bedrock of God's relationship with Israel. It signifies God's faithfulness, His choice of a particular people, and His intention to establish a physical place where His presence would dwell and His people could live in covenant relationship with Him. The land was not merely real estate; it was a tangible sign of God's blessing, a place of identity, security, and a sphere for the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It served as a constant reminder of God's promise-keeping nature and His sovereign control over history, as seen in passages like Genesis 15:18-21. The land also served as a type or foreshadowing of a greater, spiritual inheritance to come.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 16:18 speaks of a physical land inheritance for Israel, its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning are found in Jesus Christ. Christ is the true "inheritance" of God's people, and through Him, we receive a spiritual inheritance that transcends geographical boundaries. Just as the land of Canaan was God's promised dwelling place for Israel, Christ is the One in whom God fully dwells and through whom we gain access to God's presence. The physical land pointed to a greater reality: the new creation, the "heavenly country" that believers inherit through faith in Jesus. As the Apostle Paul declares, if we are in Christ, we are Abraham's offspring and "heirs according to promise" (Galatians 3:29). Our inheritance is not a plot of land, but "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3) and a share in the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8). The promise of a secure dwelling place finds its ultimate reality in the eternal security and rest found in Christ, leading to the promise of a "new heaven and a new earth" where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13) and God's people will dwell with Him forever (Revelation 21:1-4).