1 Chronicles 16:28

KJV

Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

KJV (with Strong's)

Give {H3051} unto the LORD {H3068}, ye kindreds {H4940} of the people {H5971}, give {H3051} unto the LORD {H3068} glory {H3519} and strength {H5797}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Give ADONAI his due, you families from the peoples, give ADONAI his due of glory and strength;

Berean Standard Bible

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

American Standard Version

Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:28 issues a profound and universal summons, calling all "kindreds of the people"—every family, tribe, and nation—to actively acknowledge and attribute to the Lord His inherent glory and strength. This verse, embedded within David's psalm of thanksgiving for the Ark's arrival in Jerusalem, transcends national boundaries, articulating a foundational principle of worship: that God alone is worthy of ultimate honor and power, and that humanity's proper response is to declare His supreme worthiness to the world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the psalm of thanksgiving and praise that King David delivered when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem and placed in the tent he had prepared for it. The psalm, recorded in [1 Chronicles 16:7-36](/1_chronicles/16-7 "1 Chronicles 16:7-36 - David's Psalm of Thanksgiving"), is a composite work, drawing heavily from Psalms 105, 96, and 106. Verse 28 specifically echoes the universal call to worship found in [Psalm 96:7-8](/psalms/96-7 "Psalm 96:7-8 - Ascribe to the LORD Glory and Strength"), emphasizing the global scope of God's sovereignty even within a celebration of His presence among Israel. It follows a declaration of God's greatness and a command to "declare his glory among the heathen; his wonders among all people" ([1 Chronicles 16:24](/1_chronicles/16-24 "1 Chronicles 16:24 - Declare His Glory Among the Nations")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem was a pivotal moment in Israel's history, symbolizing the establishment of God's dwelling place in the capital and the consolidation of David's kingdom. This event marked a new era of centralized worship and national identity under God's covenant. Culturally, ancient Near Eastern peoples often attributed glory and strength to their own deities or kings. However, this psalm, delivered by David, asserts that true glory and strength belong solely to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and that this truth is not confined to Israel but is for all "kindreds of the people" to recognize. The tent David prepared was a temporary, yet significant, precursor to the permanent Temple, signifying God's active presence among His people.
* **Key Themes:** A central theme is **Universal Worship**, as the call to "kindreds of the people" explicitly extends beyond Israel, foreshadowing a global acknowledgment of God. This aligns with prophetic visions of all nations coming to worship the Lord, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the LORD's House") and [Zechariah 8:20-23](/zechariah/8-20 "Zechariah 8:20-23 - Many Peoples and Strong Nations Seek the LORD"). Another key theme is the **Ascribing of Divine Attributes**. To "give unto the LORD glory and strength" is not to bestow something God lacks, but to acknowledge and declare His inherent majesty, honor, and omnipotence. It is a recognition of His supreme worthiness and absolute dominion over all creation, echoing the praise found throughout the [book of Psalms](/psalms/1 "The Book of Psalms - Songs of Praise and Lament"). This act of attribution is fundamental to true worship and reflects a proper understanding of God's nature.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Give (Hebrew, _havu'_):** This is an imperative verb, a strong command, literally meaning "bring!" or "ascribe!" It denotes an active, intentional, and public declaration. It's not a suggestion but a directive for humanity to actively acknowledge and attribute these divine qualities to the Lord. It implies a conscious act of worship and recognition.
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kavod'_):** This word carries the sense of weight, substance, honor, reputation, and majesty. When applied to God, it speaks of His inherent dignity, His manifest presence, His splendor, and His intrinsic worth. To "give" Him glory is to recognize and declare His supreme importance and radiant majesty, acknowledging that all true honor originates from and belongs to Him.
* **Strength (Hebrew, _'oz'_):** This term signifies might, power, dominion, and fortified defense. It refers to God's omnipotence, His irresistible power over all creation, and His ability to accomplish His will. To "give" Him strength is to acknowledge that all power originates from Him, that He is the ultimate source of all might, and that His dominion is absolute and unchallengeable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people":** This opening clause is a direct, imperative command, extending the call to worship beyond the nation of Israel. "Kindreds of the people" (מִשְׁפְּחוֹת עַמִּים - _mishp'chot 'ammim_) literally means "families of peoples" or "clans of nations." It encompasses all ethnic groups, tribes, and nations on earth, indicating a universal scope for God's rightful adoration. It is a prophetic invitation for all humanity to participate in acknowledging God's sovereignty.
* **"give unto the LORD glory and strength":** This repeated imperative specifies what is to be given or ascribed to the Lord. It is not material possessions, but the recognition of His intrinsic attributes: His radiant majesty, honor, and inherent worth (glory), and His absolute power, might, and dominion (strength). This repetition emphasizes the importance and urgency of this act of attribution, underscoring that these qualities belong to God alone and must be acknowledged by all.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Imperative** mood, as seen in the repeated command "Give unto the LORD." This is not a gentle suggestion but a direct, authoritative instruction, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of God's worthiness of praise. **Repetition** of the phrase "give unto the LORD" serves to intensify the command and underscore the singular focus of worship. It creates a rhythmic, emphatic call to action, driving home the central message. Furthermore, the phrase "ye kindreds of the people" utilizes **Inclusivity** (or universalism), broadening the scope of the command from a nationalistic to a global audience, highlighting God's sovereignty over all humanity and foreshadowing the global reach of His redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:28 profoundly articulates humanity's fundamental duty to God: to acknowledge His inherent worthiness and absolute power. It underscores that true worship is not merely an emotional response but a deliberate act of attributing to God what is rightfully His. This universal call to worship highlights God's sovereign claim over all creation and His desire for all peoples to recognize His unique status as the one true God. Theologically, it posits that God does not *need* us to give Him glory or strength, as He possesses these infinitely; rather, we *need* to give them to Him, as it aligns us with truth and fulfills our purpose as created beings. This verse serves as a foundational statement for missions, emphasizing that the good news of God's glory and strength is for every nation.

* [Psalm 29:1-2](/psalms/29-1 "Psalm 29:1-2 - Ascribe to the LORD Glory and Strength")
* [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Multitude from Every Nation Worshipping God")
* [Romans 1:20-21](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20-21 - God's Invisible Attributes Clearly Seen")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 16:28 serves as a timeless and universal summons for all believers to engage in intentional and comprehensive worship. It challenges us to move beyond a self-centered faith and embrace a God-centered perspective where our primary purpose is to acknowledge and declare His supreme worthiness. This means actively praising God for who He is—His inherent glory, His omnipotence, His majesty—not just for what He does for us. Furthermore, the inclusion of "kindreds of the people" broadens our vision, reminding us that God's redemptive plan encompasses all nations. It compels us to pray for and participate in global missions, desiring to see every tribe and tongue join in this chorus of praise. Our lives, both individually and corporately, should be a living testimony that "gives glory and strength" to the Lord, reflecting His character and power to a world desperately in need of recognizing Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I more intentionally "give unto the LORD glory and strength" in my daily life?**
* **How does the universal scope of this verse ("kindreds of the people") challenge my understanding of worship and missions?**
* **Am I more prone to praise God for His actions or for His inherent attributes? How can I grow in appreciating His intrinsic glory?**
* **What aspects of God's "glory" and "strength" are most meaningful to me right now, and how can I express that appreciation?**

### FAQ
**Why does God need us to "give" Him glory and strength if He already possesses them infinitely?**

Answer: God does not "need" anything from us in the sense of lacking it. He is complete, self-sufficient, and eternally glorious and strong. The command to "give unto the LORD glory and strength" is not about bestowing something upon Him that He lacks, but rather about acknowledging, recognizing, and declaring what is inherently true about Him. It is an act of worship, submission, and proper alignment of our perspective with reality. When we "give" Him glory, we are simply recognizing His infinite worth and declaring it publicly, both with our words and our lives. It is for *our* benefit and for the benefit of those around us, as it rightly orders our relationship with our Creator and draws others to Him. This is why the psalmist commands, "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name" ([Psalm 29:2](/psalms/29-2 "Psalm 29:2 - Ascribe to the LORD the Glory Due His Name")).

**Who are the "kindreds of the people" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "kindreds of the people" (Hebrew: _mishp'chot 'ammim_) refers to all the families, clans, or ethnic groups of the nations. It is a comprehensive term for all humanity beyond the nation of Israel. This phrase highlights the universal scope of God's sovereignty and His ultimate plan for all peoples to recognize and worship Him. It foreshadows the New Testament vision of a global church, where believers from "every nation, tribe, people and language" will stand before the throne and the Lamb, worshipping God ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - Multitude from Every Nation")). This inclusion of all "kindreds" emphasizes that God's call to worship and His redemptive purposes are not limited to one chosen people but extend to all humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 16:28 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's glory and strength, the "radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")). In Jesus, God's glory is not merely declared but made visible and tangible, for "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). His life, miracles, death, and resurrection are the supreme demonstration of God's strength, triumphing over sin, death, and the grave ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Furthermore, the universal call to "kindreds of the people" to give glory and strength to the Lord is realized through Christ's redemptive work. Through His sacrifice, people from every nation, tribe, and tongue are reconciled to God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to offer true worship ([Ephesians 2:13-18](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13-18 - Access to the Father Through Christ")). The Great Commission itself is a divine mandate for believers to go and make disciples of "all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), ensuring that the "kindreds of the people" ultimately come to acknowledge and declare the glory and strength of God, revealed fully in His Son.

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.