1 Chronicles 16:23

KJV

Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Sing {H7891} unto the LORD {H3068}, all the earth {H776}; shew forth {H1319} from day {H3117} to day {H3117} his salvation {H3444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sing to ADONAI, all the earth! Proclaim his victory day after day!

Berean Standard Bible

Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Proclaim His salvation day after day.

American Standard Version

Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth; Show forth his salvation from day to day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:23 issues a vibrant and universal call to perpetual praise and proclamation of God's redemptive acts. Embedded within a grand psalm of thanksgiving delivered by King David upon the Ark of the Covenant's arrival in Jerusalem, this verse commands all creation to actively and continuously declare the LORD's saving power and deliverance. It establishes a foundational principle for worship that transcends national boundaries and temporal limitations, encapsulating a dual mandate: to offer joyful adoration and to bear consistent witness to God's mighty works of salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal component of a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 16:7-36) delivered by King David on the momentous occasion of bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. This event was a cornerstone for Israel, symbolizing God's tangible presence dwelling among His people and centralizing the nation's worship. The psalm itself is a rich tapestry, weaving together elements from [Psalm 105](/psalm/105 "Psalm 105 - God's Faithfulness to Israel") (verses 1-15) and [Psalm 96](/psalm/96 "Psalm 96 - A Call to Worship the Lord") (verses 23-33), augmented with unique Chronicler material. David's commissioning of this psalm underscores his profound commitment to worship and his vision for Israel as a beacon to the nations, proclaiming God's glory. The verses immediately preceding 1 Chronicles 16:23 emphasize God's wondrous deeds, His covenant faithfulness, and His protective care over His people, while the subsequent verses continue to extol His greatness and call for universal adoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The procession of the Ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15-16) represented a deeply significant religious and political milestone. It solidified Jerusalem's status as both the political capital and the spiritual heart of Israel, a strategic move that consolidated David's kingship and unified the nation under God's chosen dwelling place. The Ark, serving as the focal point of Israelite worship, symbolized God's tangible presence and His covenant with His people. The celebration was characterized by elaborate musical performances, sacrificial offerings, and public declarations of praise, reflecting the vibrant cultic practices of ancient Israel. The seemingly grand call for "all the earth" to sing and proclaim, though uttered in a localized context, reflects the universal scope of God's sovereignty, a concept understood within Israel's unique identity as God's chosen people, through whom all nations would ultimately be blessed, as promised to Abraham in [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant").
* **Key Themes:** 1 Chronicles 16:23 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Chronicles and biblical theology as a whole. Firstly, it highlights **Universal Worship**, emphasizing that God's glory and saving acts are not confined to Israel but are intended to be known and celebrated by "all the earth." This foreshadows the eschatological vision of all nations worshipping the LORD, a theme echoed in prophetic literature like [Isaiah 45:22-23](/isaiah/45-22-23 "Isaiah 45:22-23 - Look to Me and Be Saved"). Secondly, the phrase "from day to day" underscores the theme of **Continuous Proclamation**, signifying that the declaration of God's salvation is not a one-time event but an ongoing, daily commitment, a lifestyle of witness and thanksgiving. This speaks to the enduring nature of God's faithfulness and humanity's perpetual response to His goodness. Finally, the central message to be proclaimed is **God's Salvation**, a comprehensive term encompassing His mighty acts of deliverance, rescue, and provision throughout history. While in the Old Testament this often referred to physical deliverance from enemies or hardship, it profoundly anticipates the ultimate spiritual salvation offered through the Messiah, as recognized by figures like Simeon in [Luke 2:30](/luke/2-30 "Luke 2:30 - Simeon's Prophecy of Salvation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sing (Hebrew, _shîyr'_):** From H7891, this word is an imperative plural verb, a direct command to a collective audience. It signifies not merely vocalization but a joyful, enthusiastic expression of praise and adoration. In the context of Israelite worship, singing was a primary means of expressing devotion, recounting God's mighty deeds, and invoking His presence. The command here is active and communal, inviting a full-hearted response to the Lord's character and actions, often associated with a "strolling minstrelsy" or public performance.
* **Shew forth (Hebrew, _bâsar'_):** From H1319, also an imperative plural, this verb carries the powerful meaning "to be fresh," "to announce glad news," "to proclaim," or "to herald." It implies an active, public, and deliberate declaration of something significant. It's not a passive display but an intentional communication, akin to a messenger announcing a victory or a king's decree. The use of this word elevates the act of proclaiming God's salvation beyond mere testimony to a divine mandate to spread the "good tidings" of His saving work.
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _yᵉshûwʻâh'_):** From H3444, this is a rich and comprehensive Hebrew term encompassing deliverance, rescue, victory, help, and well-being. It refers to God's mighty acts of intervention on behalf of His people, whether from physical enemies, natural disasters, or spiritual bondage. It speaks to God's power to save and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. In the Old Testament, _yᵉshûwʻâh_ often points to historical deliverances (e.g., the Exodus), but it also carries an eschatological hope for ultimate and complete redemption, signifying "something saved" or "deliverance."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Sing unto the LORD, all the earth;":** This opening clause issues a universal command for worship. "Sing unto the LORD" is a direct imperative, calling for active, joyful praise directed specifically to Yahweh (H3068), the covenant God of Israel. The phrase "all the earth" (H776) expands the scope of this command beyond the immediate Israelite assembly to encompass all peoples and nations. It is a prophetic vision of global adoration, recognizing the LORD's sovereignty over all creation. This is not merely a suggestion but a divine expectation for universal acknowledgment of God's worth.
* **"shew forth from day to day":** This segment specifies the nature and continuity of the proclamation. "Shew forth" (or "proclaim good news") emphasizes an active, public declaration, not a private contemplation. The temporal phrase "from day to day" (H3117, repeated for emphasis) highlights the ongoing, perpetual nature of this witness. It's not a one-time event but a continuous, daily practice, implying a lifestyle of consistent testimony and thanksgiving. This speaks to the enduring relevance of God's saving acts and the constant need for their proclamation.
* **"his salvation.":** This final clause identifies the core content of the proclamation. The focus is singularly on "his salvation"—referring to God's mighty acts of deliverance, rescue, and redemptive power. This encompasses all the ways God has intervened in history to save His people, from the Exodus to countless other acts of provision and protection. It is the good news of God's character and His active work in the world, the essence of His comprehensive plan for welfare and victory.

#### Literary Devices
1 Chronicles 16:23 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The predominant device is the **Imperative Mood**, evident in "Sing" (_shîrû_) and "shew forth" (_bassərû_). These are direct, forceful commands, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of the call to worship and witness. The phrase "all the earth" functions as **Hyperbole**, where a part (the earth) stands for the whole (all its inhabitants, or perhaps all nations). This amplifies the universal scope of God's dominion and the breadth of the intended audience for His praise. The temporal phrase "from day to day" utilizes **Repetition** (or a form of **Merism**, signifying "every day, without ceasing") to emphasize the continuous and unceasing nature of the proclamation. This highlights the ongoing relevance of God's salvation and the perpetual duty of His people to declare it. Finally, there is an implied **Parallelism** between "sing unto the LORD" and "shew forth... his salvation," where both actions are forms of praise and proclamation, reinforcing the dual aspect of worship and witness as integrated expressions of devotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:23 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's sovereignty and humanity's proper response. It establishes that God's redemptive work is not limited to a single nation but is intended for universal recognition and celebration. The command to "shew forth" His salvation positions God's people as active participants in His redemptive plan, called to be heralds of His good news. This verse beautifully intertwines the themes of worship and evangelism, suggesting that true adoration of God naturally overflows into a public declaration of His saving power. It anticipates a future where every tongue will confess His name, rooted in the historical reality of His mighty acts of deliverance and pointing toward the ultimate global worship of the King.

* [Psalm 96:1-3](/psalm/96-1-3 "Psalm 96:1-3 - Sing to the Lord, Declare His Glory Among the Nations")
* [Psalm 105:1-2](/psalm/105-1-2 "Psalm 105:1-2 - Give Thanks to the Lord, Proclaim His Deeds Among the Peoples")
* [Isaiah 52:7](/isaiah/52-7 "Isaiah 52:7 - How Beautiful Are the Feet of Him Who Brings Good News")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 16:23 offers a timeless and powerful mandate for believers today, transcending its ancient context to speak directly to our contemporary walk of faith. It reminds us that our relationship with God is not merely personal and private, but also communal and public. We are called to embody a lifestyle of continuous praise, recognizing God's sovereignty and goodness in every moment, in every circumstance. This daily worship should naturally lead to an active declaration of His saving work to those around us. The "salvation" we proclaim is not just a historical event but a living reality experienced through Christ. Our lives, both individually and corporately as the church, are meant to be a constant echo of God's goodness, a daily "shewing forth" of His transformative power. This involves both our words and our deeds, demonstrating the hope and deliverance found in Him, thereby participating in God's ongoing mission to reach "all the earth" with His glorious message.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my daily life reflect a continuous "singing unto the LORD" and a "shewing forth" of His salvation?**
* **What practical steps can I take to more consistently proclaim God's salvation in my sphere of influence, whether through words or actions?**
* **In what ways can our local church embody the universal call to worship and witness found in this verse, reaching beyond its immediate community?**

### FAQ
**What does "shew forth from day to day his salvation" mean for us today?**

Answer: For believers today, "shew forth from day to day his salvation" means to continuously and actively proclaim the good news of God's saving work, primarily through Jesus Christ. This isn't a one-time event but a daily commitment to live out and articulate the reality of God's deliverance from sin, death, and despair. It encompasses both our verbal testimony—sharing the Gospel with others—and our lived witness—demonstrating the transformative power of God's salvation through our actions, character, and love. It means that every day presents an opportunity to reflect God's glory and share the hope found in Him, making us participants in the Great Commission found in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 16:23, with its universal call to "sing unto the LORD" and "shew forth... his salvation," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "salvation" that David's psalm calls for all the earth to proclaim is perfectly embodied and accomplished in the person and work of Jesus. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the very embodiment of God's saving power. The New Testament reveals that the "good news" or "salvation" to be proclaimed is specifically the Gospel of Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension, which offers deliverance from sin and death to all who believe. The mandate for "all the earth" to participate in this proclamation is realized through the global mission of the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to take the message of Christ's finished work to every nation, tribe, people, and language, as commanded in [Mark 16:15](/mark/16-15 "Mark 16:15 - Go into All the World"). Thus, 1 Chronicles 16:23 is not just a historical command but a prophetic echo of the universal worship and witness that centers on Jesus, the [only name under heaven given among mankind by which we must be saved](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name"), and the one to whom [every knee will bow and every tongue confess](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Will Bow").

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 96:1

¶ O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

Psalms 96:13

Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Psalms 71:15

My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness [and] thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers [thereof].

Isaiah 51:6

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Isaiah 51:8

For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

1 Chronicles 16:9

Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

Psalms 30:4

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.