1 Chronicles 16:27

KJV

Glory and honour [are] in his presence; strength and gladness [are] in his place.

KJV (with Strong's)

Glory {H1935} and honour {H1926} are in his presence {H6440}; strength {H5797} and gladness {H2304} are in his place {H4725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In his presence are honor and majesty; in his place, strength and joy.

Berean Standard Bible

Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy fill His dwelling.

American Standard Version

Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and gladness are in his place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:27 is a profound declaration embedded within King David's psalm of thanksgiving, recited when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. This verse articulates the inherent attributes radiating from God's very being: His majestic splendor, intrinsic worth, omnipotent power, and the profound, unadulterated joy that characterizes His immediate presence and broader sphere of influence. It encapsulates the inexhaustible riches and transforming reality found exclusively in encountering the divine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a central component of King David's extensive psalm of thanksgiving, meticulously recorded in [1 Chronicles 16:8-36](/1-chronicles/16-8 "1 Chronicles 16:8-36 - David's Psalm of Thanksgiving"). This psalm is a masterful theological composition, drawing significant portions from earlier scriptural traditions, notably [Psalm 105:1-15](/psalm/105-1-15 "Psalm 105:1-15 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant"), [Psalm 96:1-13](/psalm/96-1-13 "Psalm 96:1-13 - A Call to Worship the Lord"), and [Psalm 106:1, 47-48](/psalm/106-1 "Psalm 106:1, 47-48 - Praise for God's Steadfast Love"). Its recitation marked the monumental occasion of the Ark of the Covenant's arrival in Jerusalem, a pivotal event detailed in [1 Chronicles 15](/1-chronicles/15 "1 Chronicles 15 - The Ark Brought to Jerusalem"). The verses immediately preceding 16:27 issue a global summons to worship, urging all the earth to fear the Lord and declare His wondrous deeds ([1 Chronicles 16:23-26](/1-chronicles/16-23-26 "1 Chronicles 16:23-26 - Declare His Salvation Daily")), thereby establishing the thematic foundation for this powerful declaration of God's intrinsic attributes.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The solemn procession and subsequent arrival of the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem represented a watershed moment in Israelite history, solidifying the city's status as both the political and spiritual heart of the nation under King David's unified rule. The Ark, serving as the tangible symbol of God's covenant presence among His people, had been largely absent from its central role in public worship since its capture by the Philistines and its eventual return to Israelite territory ([1 Samuel 4-7](/1-samuel/4-7 "1 Samuel 4-7 - The Ark Captured and Returned")). David's meticulous preparations for this event, including the careful appointment of Levites specifically for musical ministry ([1 Chronicles 15:16-24](/1-chronicles/15-16-24 "1 Chronicles 15:16-24 - Levites Appointed for Music")), underscore the immense cultural, political, and spiritual significance attached to the Ark's re-establishment in the nation's capital. The public recitation of this composite psalm was a communal act of national worship, designed to foster deep reverence, profound joy, and a renewed sense of national identity firmly rooted in God's enduring covenant faithfulness.

* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly enriches several overarching themes prevalent within the book of [1 Chronicles](/1-chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles - The Reign of David"). Firstly, it underscores **Divine Attributes**, explicitly declaring that "Glory and honour" are not merely ascribed to God but are intrinsic to His presence, highlighting His majestic splendor, weighty significance, and inherent worth. Similarly, "strength and gladness" are found in His 'place,' denoting His omnipotence, sovereign power, and the profound, unadulterated joy that characterizes His very being and His relationship with His people. Secondly, it illuminates **The Nature of God's Presence**, teaching that true glory, honor, strength, and lasting joy do not originate from human achievement, earthly possessions, or political power, but exclusively from God alone. To be in His presence or 'place' is to encounter these divine realities, which transform and sustain those who draw near. Lastly, it defines **Worship and Rejoicing**, demonstrating that genuine worship is not solely solemn reverence but also a jubilant celebration of God's character and His active presence. The attributes of strength and gladness found in His place invite worshippers to rejoice and find true delight in Him, echoing the sentiment that there is [fullness of joy in God's presence](/psalm/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Hebrew, _hôwd'_):** From an unused root, this term signifies "grandeur (i.e. an imposing form and appearance)," encompassing "beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour, majesty." In the context of God's presence, it speaks to His inherent, weighty splendor and the majestic appearance that radiates from His very being, marking Him as the ultimate source of all true worth and magnificence.
* **Presence (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** Literally meaning "face," this plural noun (always singular in meaning) denotes direct, intimate proximity, an encounter "before" God's countenance. It signifies being in His immediate sight and sphere of being, where His attributes are not abstract but tangibly experienced. This term is rich, implying both the physical manifestation of God's nearness and the relational intimacy of being in His direct presence.
* **Gladness (Hebrew, _chedvâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to rejoice," this word specifically denotes "rejoicing" or "joy." It describes a profound, inner delight that is robust and enduring, not superficial. When paired with "strength," it suggests that the joy found in God's presence is a deep wellspring of spiritual vitality, empowering and fortifying the soul.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Glory and honour [are] in his presence":** This opening clause declares that intrinsic to God's very being and immediate proximity are majesty and dignity. "Glory" (_hôwd_) speaks to His inherent grandeur, His substantial greatness, and the radiant splendor that emanates from Him. "Honour" (_hâdâr_) refers to His majestic beauty, splendor, and dignity, emphasizing His inherent worthiness of reverence. These are not external decorations but are inherent, inseparable qualities of God Himself, revealed and experienced in His direct "presence" (_pânîym_), implying a personal, face-to-face encounter or intimate communion.
* **"strength and gladness [are] in his place":** This second clause complements the first by stating that divine power and profound joy reside in God's "place" (_mâqôwm_). This "place" can refer to a physical location where God manifests Himself (like the Ark's tabernacle), His broader sphere of influence, or simply wherever He is truly present. "Strength" (_ʻôz_) denotes His mighty power, His ability to act decisively and victoriously, reflecting His omnipotence. "Gladness" (_chedvâh_) signifies exuberant, overflowing joy. The pairing suggests that God's power is not oppressive but liberating, and that His very being is characterized by a joyous vitality that He imparts to those who enter His domain.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truths. **Synonymous Parallelism** is prominently featured, with "Glory and honour" paralleling "strength and gladness," and "in his presence" paralleling "in his place." This technique reinforces and deepens the meaning, showing that these divine attributes are inextricably linked and universally present wherever God is. The use of **Merism** can also be observed, where "Glory and honour" encompass the full spectrum of God's majestic and dignified nature, while "strength and gladness" represent the entirety of His powerful and joyous character. These attributes are not merely abstract concepts but are presented as tangible realities that "are" (exist) in His sphere, almost as if they are **personified** as dwelling within His immediate vicinity, emphasizing their inherent and accessible nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:27 offers a foundational theological truth: God is the singular, inexhaustible source of all that is truly glorious, honorable, strong, and joyful. This verse profoundly underscores the concept of God's self-sufficiency and His overflowing goodness, from which all blessings flow. It teaches that human flourishing, true fulfillment, and enduring satisfaction are found not in striving to attain these qualities independently, but in drawing near to the One who embodies them perfectly. It elevates worship beyond mere ritual, transforming it into an encounter with the very essence of divine power and delight, inviting believers to seek God's presence as the ultimate wellspring of life, purpose, and enduring joy.

* [Psalm 27:4](/psalm/27-4 "Psalm 27:4 - Dwelling in God's House")
* [Psalm 16:11](/psalm/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence")
* [Exodus 33:14](/exodus/33-14 "Exodus 33:14 - God's Presence Gives Rest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 1 Chronicles 16:27 serves as a timeless anchor, directing our gaze to the true source of all that is good, enduring, and eternally satisfying. It reminds us that the human pursuit of glory, honor, strength, and lasting gladness outside of God is ultimately futile, for these attributes are not external achievements to be acquired but are inherent to His being and flow abundantly from His presence. This profound understanding transforms our approach to life and worship: instead of striving to accumulate these qualities through our own efforts, we are invited to simply draw near to Him, to abide in His "place," and to receive them as gracious gifts. This verse offers profound encouragement in moments of weakness, sorrow, or despair, assuring us that true strength and an unshakeable joy are always accessible in His presence, regardless of external circumstances. It calls us to cultivate a life centered on intentionally seeking God's face, knowing that in Him, we find not just solace, but an abundant, vibrant, and deeply satisfying reality that transcends earthly limitations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that "Glory and honour are in his presence" reshape your view of God's inherent worth and your personal approach to worship?**
* **In what practical ways can you intentionally seek God's "place" – whether in personal devotion, corporate worship, or daily awareness – to more fully experience His strength and gladness?**
* **How does the truth that strength and gladness originate from God alone challenge worldly pursuits of these qualities, and what does this mean for your personal priorities and values?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the distinction between "presence" and "place" in this verse?**

Answer: While "presence" (Hebrew: _pânîym_, literally "face") and "place" (Hebrew: _mâqôwm_) are closely related and often used interchangeably in poetic parallelism, they carry subtle yet significant distinctions in this verse. "Presence" emphasizes the intimate, personal, and direct encounter with God's very being—the experience of being "before His face." It speaks to the relational aspect of encountering God, where His glory and honor are directly perceived, implying a more immediate and personal communion. "Place," on the other hand, often refers to a physical location where God manifests Himself (like the tabernacle or temple), but it can also signify His broader sphere of influence, His domain, or simply "where He is" in a more general sense. The distinction highlights that God's attributes are found both in direct, personal communion (His presence) and wherever His sovereign rule and manifest power extend (His place). Both terms underscore that these divine attributes are not abstract but are tangibly experienced by those who draw near to Him, whether in intimate worship or by recognizing His hand in the world, as seen in [Psalm 139:7-10](/psalm/139-7-10 "Psalm 139:7-10 - God's Omnipresence").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The declaration of God's glory, honor, strength, and gladness in His presence finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament longing for God's manifest presence, powerfully symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant, is fully realized in the Incarnation, where God literally "tabernacled" among us in the person of Jesus ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is revealed as "the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")), embodying all the glory and honor that reside in the Father. Through Christ's atoning work on the cross, believers are no longer limited by physical access to a tabernacle or temple but have direct, unhindered access to God's presence by the Holy Spirit ([Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ")), enabling them to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Furthermore, the strength and gladness promised in God's "place" are now experienced by believers through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers us with divine strength ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")) and fills us with "joy and peace in believing" ([Romans 15:13](/romans/15-13 "Romans 15:13 - Joy and Peace in Believing")), producing the fruit of "joy" as part of His transformative work in us ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit")). Thus, 1 Chronicles 16:27 powerfully points forward to Christ as the living embodiment of God's attributes and the divine means by which humanity can truly enter into the fullness of His glorious, strong, and joyful presence.

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 96:6

Honour and majesty [are] before him: strength and beauty [are] in his sanctuary.

Psalms 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

Psalms 28:7

The LORD [is] my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalms 28:8

The LORD [is] their strength, and he [is] the saving strength of his anointed.

Psalms 43:2

For thou [art] the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Psalms 43:4

Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

Psalms 63:2

To see thy power and thy glory, so [as] I have seen thee in the sanctuary.