1 Chronicles 16:26

For all the gods of the people [are] idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

For all the gods {H430} of the people {H5971} are idols {H457}: but the LORD {H3068} made {H6213} the heavens {H8064}.

For all the gods of the peoples are nothing, but ADONAI made the heavens.

For all the gods of the nations are idols, but it is the LORD who made the heavens.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols: But Jehovah made the heavens.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:26 is a powerful declaration embedded within a psalm of thanksgiving delivered by King David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. This verse sharply contrasts the futility of pagan deities with the boundless power and sovereignty of the one true God.

Context

This verse is part of a grand psalm of praise (1 Chronicles 16:7-36) that David appointed to be sung before the Ark of the Covenant, celebrating God's faithfulness, power, and glory. It was a moment of national worship and reaffirmation of God's covenant with Israel. The psalm serves as a prophetic declaration, not only for Israel but for all nations, asserting the supremacy of the LORD over all other supposed gods, especially in the context of the polytheistic ancient Near East.

Key Themes

  • The Folly of Idolatry: The first part of the verse, "For all the gods of the people [are] idols," directly challenges the polytheistic beliefs prevalent in the ancient world. It declares that the deities worshipped by surrounding nations are utterly worthless, mere fabrications of human hands and imagination, devoid of life or power. This echoes warnings found throughout the Old Testament against the worship of false gods, as seen in passages like Psalm 115:4-7.
  • God as Creator: The latter part, "but the LORD made the heavens," provides the ultimate counter-argument to idolatry. It establishes the unique and unparalleled authority of the God of Israel (YHWH) as the sole Creator of the vast universe. Unlike lifeless idols, the LORD is the active, powerful, and living God who brought everything into existence, from the smallest atom to the grandest celestial body. This theme is foundational to biblical understanding of God's power and sovereignty, as seen from Genesis 1:1 onwards.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Exclusivity: The verse implicitly asserts that worship is due only to the one who creates and sustains. Because the LORD is the Maker of the heavens, He alone is worthy of praise and trust, standing in stark contrast to the emptiness of false gods. His creative act proves His supreme power and rightful claim to universal worship.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "idols" here is elilim (ืึฑืœึดื™ืœึดื™ื), which often carries the connotation of 'worthless things,' 'nothings,' or 'things of naught.' It's a derogatory term, stripping away any perceived power or divinity from these false gods. In contrast, "the LORD" is the sacred covenant name of God, YHWH (ื™ื”ื•ื”), emphasizing His self-existence, eternal nature, and personal relationship with His people, the very one whose glory the heavens themselves declare in Psalm 19:1.

Practical Application

In our modern world, while physical idols may be less common, the principle of 1 Chronicles 16:26 remains profoundly relevant. We are continually tempted to place our trust, hope, and worship in "idols" that are not the true Godโ€”whether they be wealth, success, power, fame, comfort, or even self. This verse calls us to:

  • Examine Our Allegiances: Reflect on what truly holds our devotion and trust. Are we investing our lives in things that are ultimately empty and fleeting, or in the eternal Creator who made all things?
  • Worship the True Creator: Remember that only the God who made the heavens and earth is worthy of our worship, prayer, and obedience. He alone has the power to deliver, sustain, and fulfill our deepest needs.
  • Find Security in God's Power: The fact that the LORD "made the heavens" speaks to His infinite power and wisdom. This provides immense comfort and security, knowing that our lives are in the hands of the ultimate architect of the universe, not in the control of any powerless "idol" or fleeting earthly pursuit.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 102:25

    Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens [are] the work of thy hands.

  • Leviticus 19:4

    Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I [am] the LORD your God.

  • Isaiah 42:5

    ยถ Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

  • Isaiah 44:24

    Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I [am] the LORD that maketh all [things]; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

  • Jeremiah 10:10

    But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

  • Jeremiah 10:14

    Every man is brutish in [his] knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image [is] falsehood, and [there is] no breath in them.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:4

    ยถ As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one.
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