1 Chronicles 16:25

KJV

For great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also [is] to be feared above all gods.

KJV (with Strong's)

For great {H1419} is the LORD {H3068}, and greatly {H3966} to be praised {H1984}: he also is to be feared {H3372} above all gods {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For ADONAI is great, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared more than all gods.

Berean Standard Bible

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

American Standard Version

For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:25 stands as a profound declaration of Yahweh's unparalleled majesty and supreme worthiness of worship. As part of David's psalm of thanksgiving upon the Ark's arrival in Jerusalem, this verse asserts the Lord's unique greatness, demanding not only fervent praise but also a deep, reverential awe that elevates Him far above any other purported deity or human construct. It encapsulates the core monotheistic truth of Israel's faith, establishing God's absolute sovereignty and exclusive claim to ultimate devotion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a 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, detailed in [1 Chronicles 16:1-7](/1_chronicles/16-1-7 "1 Chronicles 16:1-7 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem"), marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, centralizing worship and symbolizing God's tangible presence among His people. The psalm itself is a composite, drawing heavily from [Psalm 105:1-15](/psalms/105-1-15 "Psalm 105:1-15 - Call to Praise the Lord") (1 Chronicles 16:8-22), [Psalm 96:1-13](/psalms/96-1-13 "Psalm 96:1-13 - Sing a New Song to the Lord") (1 Chronicles 16:23-33), and [Psalm 106:1, 47-48](/psalms/106-1-47-48 "Psalm 106:1, 47-48 - Praise the Lord, for He is Good") (1 Chronicles 16:34-36). This strategic compilation emphasizes a unified message of God's greatness, His covenant faithfulness, and His universal reign, setting the theological tone for the newly established worship center. Verse 25 specifically echoes the themes of God's supremacy found throughout [Psalm 96](/psalms/96 "Psalm 96 - Sing to the Lord a New Song"), which calls all the earth to worship Yahweh above all idols.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return of the Ark to Jerusalem under David's leadership was not merely a logistical move but a profound theological statement. For centuries, the Ark, representing God's presence, had been in various locations, sometimes even captured by enemies. Its placement in Jerusalem signaled the consolidation of Israel's spiritual and political life under David's unified kingdom. This act occurred in a polytheistic ancient Near Eastern world, where surrounding nations worshipped numerous gods associated with natural phenomena, fertility, or national power. The declaration in 1 Chronicles 16:25, that the Lord is "to be feared above all gods," served as a direct polemic against these prevalent idolatries, asserting Yahweh's unique and exclusive sovereignty. It was a call for Israel to distinguish itself from its neighbors by worshipping only the one true God, a foundational tenet of the Mosaic covenant, as articulated in passages like [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods Before Me").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Chronicles and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores **God's Unrivaled Majesty and Sovereignty**, asserting His inherent greatness and absolute dominion over all creation and all other powers, real or imagined. This theme is central to the Chronicler's theology, which consistently portrays Yahweh as the supreme ruler of Israel and the nations. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Exclusive Worship and Monotheism**, demanding that all praise and reverence be directed solely to the Lord, thereby rejecting polytheism and idolatry. This is a recurring emphasis throughout Israel's history, particularly in prophetic calls for faithfulness, such as in [Isaiah 44:6-8](/isaiah/44-6-8 "Isaiah 44:6-8 - God is the First and the Last"). Thirdly, the verse introduces the concept of the **Fear of the Lord**, not as terror, but as profound reverence and awe, which is presented as the proper response to God's holiness and power. This reverential fear is consistently linked to wisdom and true knowledge of God, as seen in [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** This adjective (H1419) denotes magnitude, importance, and power, signifying something "great in any sense." When applied to the LORD, it describes His infinite, incomparable nature, transcending all limitations and surpassing all other beings or entities. The repetition in "great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised" serves as an emphatic intensification, underscoring the boundless extent of His majesty and the commensurate depth of the praise He deserves.
* **Feared (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** This primitive root (H3372) means "to fear," but morally, "to revere." In the context of God, especially in worship, it conveys a profound sense of reverential awe, respect, and humility. It acknowledges God's unapproachable holiness, supreme power, and absolute authority, leading to worship, obedience, and a cautious approach to His divine presence. It is a healthy, worshipful fear that recognizes His transcendence and our utter dependence.
* **Gods (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural term (H430) refers to "gods in the ordinary sense," such as the pagan deities worshipped by surrounding nations, or even to powerful beings. The declaration that Yahweh is "above all gods" is a direct polemic against polytheism, asserting His unique sovereignty and the non-existence or utter inferiority of any other supposed divine entity. It emphasizes Yahweh's exclusive claim to ultimate power and worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For great [is] the LORD":** This opening clause establishes the foundational premise for the subsequent declarations. It is a declarative statement of Yahweh's inherent, intrinsic greatness—His immense power, majesty, and transcendence. This greatness is not merely a quality He possesses but is fundamental to His very being, distinguishing Him from anything in creation.
* **"and greatly to be praised":** This clause directly follows from the first, asserting the logical consequence of God's greatness. Because He is infinitely great, He is supremely worthy of all honor, adoration, and thanksgiving. The adverb "greatly" intensifies the call to praise, indicating that the magnitude of His praise should match the magnitude of His being. It implies a worship that is not superficial but deep, fervent, and all-encompassing.
* **"he also [is] to be feared above all gods":** This final clause introduces the dimension of reverential awe and positions Yahweh as uniquely supreme. The "fear" is not a cowering terror but a profound respect and humility before His holiness and power. The phrase "above all gods" serves as a definitive statement of monotheism and Yahweh's absolute dominion. It directly challenges and dismisses the validity or power of any other purported deity, declaring Yahweh's exclusive claim to ultimate authority and worship in a world saturated with idolatry.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Hyperbole** is evident in the emphatic declaration of God's "greatness" and being "greatly to be praised," using repetition of the root `gâdôwl` to magnify His attributes beyond ordinary human comprehension. This serves to impress upon the worshipper the boundless nature of God. **Antithesis** is powerfully used in the contrast between Yahweh and "all gods." By explicitly stating that He is "feared above all gods," the text sets Yahweh apart as uniquely supreme, directly refuting the polytheistic worldview prevalent in the ancient Near East. This creates a stark distinction, highlighting God's singularity. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Doxology**, a short hymn of praise to God, encapsulating core theological truths in a concise and memorable form, suitable for communal recitation during worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:25 encapsulates a foundational truth of biblical theology: the absolute supremacy and unique worthiness of Yahweh. This declaration is not merely an assertion of power but a call to exclusive worship, challenging any form of idolatry or divided allegiance. It grounds the necessity of praise in God's inherent nature—His incomparable greatness—and underscores the appropriate human response: reverential awe. This verse resonates deeply with the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me" ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")), extending its spiritual implications to encompass not just overt idol worship but any devotion that diminishes God's supreme position in our lives. It reminds us that true worship flows from a recognition of God's infinite majesty and His singular claim to our hearts.

* [Psalm 96:4](/psalms/96-4 "Psalm 96:4 - The Lord is Great and Greatly to be Praised")
* [Psalm 145:3](/psalms/145-3 "Psalm 145:3 - Great is the Lord and Most Worthy of Praise")
* [Isaiah 45:5-6](/isaiah/45-5-6 "Isaiah 45:5-6 - I am the Lord, and There is No Other")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This profound declaration in 1 Chronicles 16:25 invites us to re-evaluate the object and depth of our worship. In a world still filled with "gods"—whether they be wealth, power, fame, self, or even good causes that usurp God's place—this verse calls us to redirect our ultimate affections and allegiances solely to the Lord. Recognizing His unparalleled greatness should naturally lead to a life of fervent praise, not just in song, but in every thought, word, and deed. Moreover, cultivating a healthy "fear of the Lord" means living with a profound awareness of His holiness and authority, which inspires humility, obedience, and a desire to honor Him in all circumstances. This reverence transforms our perspective, reminding us that our lives are lived before an infinitely great and holy God, prompting us to live in a manner worthy of His name and His supreme worthiness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "gods" or idols, subtle or overt, might be competing for your ultimate praise and reverence in your life today?**
* **How does understanding God's "greatness" impact your daily prayers and acts of worship?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverential "fear of the Lord" in your thoughts and actions?**
* **How does the truth that God is "above all gods" provide comfort or challenge in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that the Lord is "to be feared above all gods"?**

Answer: This phrase does not imply that other gods actually exist as divine beings, but rather that Yahweh's majesty, power, and holiness are incomparably superior to any perceived power or influence of the pagan deities worshipped by surrounding nations, or indeed, any human construct or idol. The "fear" (Hebrew _yârêʼ'_) is not a cowering terror but a profound, reverential awe and respect for God's absolute sovereignty and unapproachable holiness. It signifies that He alone deserves ultimate worship, obedience, and devotion, standing supreme over all false gods and earthly powers. It's a declaration of exclusive monotheism, asserting Yahweh's singular claim to divinity and the futility of worshipping anything else. This concept is foundational to Israel's covenant relationship with God, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema") and [Isaiah 44:6](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - God is the First and the Last").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 16:25 declares the unparalleled greatness of Yahweh in the Old Testament, its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "greatness" and "fear" due to the Lord are fully embodied and revealed in Him, for He is the "exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Son is the Radiance of God's Glory")). The praise due to the great God is now directed to the Lamb who was slain, for He is "worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" ([Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - Worthy is the Lamb")). The "fear" of the Lord, understood as reverential awe, is transformed into worshipful adoration of Christ, who, though fully God, humbled Himself to become human and die on the cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility")). Furthermore, the declaration that the Lord is "above all gods" finds its ultimate realization in Christ's triumph over all spiritual powers and authorities. He is "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come" ([Ephesians 1:21](/ephesians/1-21 "Ephesians 1:21 - Christ's Supremacy")). Through Christ, we not only understand God's greatness but are invited into a relationship with Him, where fear gives way to love, yet still maintains profound reverence for the One who is truly great and greatly to be praised.

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 89:7

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all [them that are] about him.

Psalms 66:3

Say unto God, How terrible [art thou in] thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

Psalms 66:5

Come and see the works of God: [he is] terrible [in his] doing toward the children of men.

Revelation 15:3

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints.

Revelation 15:4

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Psalms 144:3

LORD, what [is] man, that thou takest knowledge of him! [or] the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

Psalms 144:6

Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.