1 Chronicles 16:28

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

This verse is part of a psalm of thanksgiving and praise delivered by King David on the day the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem and placed in the tent David had prepared for it. This was a momentous occasion, signifying God's presence among His people. The psalm, recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:7-36, is a powerful call to worship, celebrating God's faithfulness, mighty deeds, and universal sovereignty. Verse 28 specifically extends this call beyond Israel, inviting "kindreds of the people"โ€”all families and nationsโ€”to join in the adoration.

Key Themes

  • Universal Worship: The phrase "ye kindreds of the people" is a significant expansion of the call to worship. It indicates that God's glory and strength are not just for Israel to acknowledge, but for all humanity. This foreshadows the New Testament understanding of worship from every tribe, tongue, and nation.
  • Ascribing Glory: To "give unto the LORD glory" means to acknowledge His inherent majesty, honor, and splendor. It's not that God lacks glory and we bestow it upon Him, but rather that we recognize and declare His supreme worthiness of all praise. This aligns with other calls to worship, such as Psalm 29:1-2, which similarly commands, "Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength."
  • Ascribing Strength: To "give unto the LORD...strength" means to acknowledge His omnipotence, His power, and His dominion over all creation. It is a recognition that all might originates from Him and that He is the ultimate source of all power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "glory" here is kavod (ื›ึผึธื‘ื•ึนื“), which often implies weight, substance, honor, or reputation. It speaks to God's inherent dignity and importance. The word for "strength" is oz (ืขึนื–), signifying might, power, and a fortified defense. The imperative "Give unto the LORD" (ื”ึธื‘ื•ึผ ืœึทื™ื”ื•ึธื” - havu laYahweh) is a strong command, urging active attribution and declaration of these divine attributes to God.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Chronicles 16:28 serves as a timeless call to worship and recognition:

  • Intentional Worship: We are called to consciously and intentionally ascribe glory and strength to God in our personal lives and corporate gatherings. This involves praising Him for who He is, not just for what He does.
  • Global Perspective: The verse reminds us that God's plan of salvation and call to worship extends to all peoples. It encourages a heart for missions and a desire to see all "kindreds of the people" come to know and worship the Lord.
  • Living Testimony: Our lives can "give glory and strength" to the Lord when we live in obedience, trust in His power, and reflect His character to the world. When others see God's work in us, they are drawn to acknowledge His greatness.

Reflection

1 Chronicles 16:28 is a profound declaration, inviting all of humanity to join in the fundamental act of acknowledging God's supreme glory and unmatchable strength. It underscores that true worship is not merely an emotional experience but a deliberate act of attributing to God what is rightfully His: all honor, power, and praise. This timeless command remains relevant, urging every generation to recognize God's universal sovereignty and respond with heartfelt adoration.

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

  • 1 Corinthians 15:10

    But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

  • Philippians 4:13

    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

  • Psalms 100:1

    ยถ A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

  • Psalms 100:2

    Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:9

    And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:10

    Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

  • Ephesians 1:17

    That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
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