1 Chronicles 16:29

KJV

Give unto the LORD the glory [due] unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Give {H3051} unto the LORD {H3068} the glory {H3519} due unto his name {H8034}: bring {H5375} an offering {H4503}, and come {H935} before {H6440} him: worship {H7812} the LORD {H3068} in the beauty {H1927} of holiness {H6944}.

Complete Jewish Bible

give ADONAI the glory due to his name; bring an offering, and come into his presence. Worship ADONAI in splendid, holy attire.

Berean Standard Bible

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness;

American Standard Version

Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come before him; Worship Jehovah in holy array.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:29 serves as a profound and multifaceted summons to worship, deeply embedded within King David's magnificent psalm of thanksgiving and praise. This pivotal psalm was sung during the momentous occasion of the Ark of the Covenant's return to Jerusalem, symbolizing the re-establishment of God's tangible presence at the heart of the nation. The verse provides a concise yet comprehensive instruction on the proper posture and practice of worship, emphasizing the supreme honor inherently due to God's name, the active and intentional engagement required of His people, and the inner purity and reverence that must characterize their approach to the Holy One. It encapsulates the essence of true devotion: acknowledging God's intrinsic worth, bringing one's very best, and drawing near with a heart consecrated and set apart.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse forms an integral part of a lengthy psalm (found in [1 Chronicles 16:8-36](/1_chronicles/16-8-36 "1 Chronicles 16:8-36 - David's Psalm of Thanksgiving and Praise")) that King David appointed Asaph and his brethren to sing before the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark had just been triumphantly settled in a tent David pitched for it in Jerusalem, marking a significant spiritual and national milestone. The broader psalm is a jubilant declaration of God's greatness, recounting His mighty acts of salvation, His unwavering covenant faithfulness from creation through the Exodus, and the establishment of Israel as His chosen people. Within this grand narrative of praise and remembrance, [1 Chronicles 16:29](/1_chronicles/16-29 "1 Chronicles 16:29 - Call to Worship") shifts from recounting God's glorious deeds to a direct, imperative call for His people's response. It functions as a climactic instruction on how a magnificent God should be approached, transitioning from a celebration of who God is and what He has done to a specific directive on the nature of worship. The preceding verses encourage all the earth to sing to the Lord and declare His salvation, making [verse 29](/1_chronicles/16-29 "1 Chronicles 16:29 - Call to Worship") a focused, personal application within this universal invitation to adoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this psalm is a watershed moment in Israelite history: the long-awaited return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the newly established capital under King David. For decades, the Ark, the supreme symbol of God's presence and covenant with Israel, had been separated from the central worship life of the nation, first captured by the Philistines and then residing in various private homes ([1 Samuel 7:1-2](/1_samuel/7-1-2 "1 Samuel 7:1-2 - Ark at Kirjath-jearim")). David's bringing the Ark to Jerusalem symbolized not only the re-establishment of God's central presence among His people but also the unification of the nation under divine kingship, signifying a new era of spiritual and political stability. In ancient Israel, worship was deeply communal and often involved prescribed rituals, sacrifices, and offerings at designated holy places. "Offerings" (like the _minchah_ mentioned in the linguistic analysis) were a common means of expressing devotion, gratitude, and atonement. The concept of "holiness" was absolutely central to the Israelite understanding of God, signifying His absolute purity, separateness, and moral perfection, which inherently demanded a corresponding purity and reverence from those who dared to approach Him ([Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")).
* **Key Themes:** [1 Chronicles 16:29](/1_chronicles/16-29 "1 Chronicles 16:29 - Call to Worship") powerfully encapsulates several enduring themes prevalent throughout the book of Chronicles and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the **sovereignty and absolute worthiness of God**, emphasizing that all glory belongs inherently to Him, not as something we bestow but as something we acknowledge, declare, and attribute. This theme is foundational to all biblical worship. Secondly, it highlights the **active and intentional nature of worship**. Worship is not a passive observation but a purposeful engagement, requiring the bringing of "an offering" and a conscious "coming before Him." This theme resonates with the broader biblical call for a wholehearted, responsive relationship with God's covenant love ([Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love the Lord with All Your Heart")). Thirdly, the verse profoundly addresses the theme of **holiness**—both God's intrinsic, majestic holiness and the required holiness of His worshippers. To "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" points to the splendor and awe-inspiring nature of God's own character and the imperative for His people to reflect that purity in their lives and worship, moving beyond mere ritual to spiritual and moral integrity ([Psalm 24:3-4](/psalms/24-3-4 "Psalm 24:3-4 - Who May Ascend the Hill of the Lord?")). These themes collectively portray worship as a comprehensive, life-encompassing response to God's majesty and grace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** The Hebrew word כָּבוֹד (_kâbôwd_, H3519) literally means "weight," "heaviness," or "substance." In a theological context, it refers to God's manifest presence, His inherent worth, honor, majesty, and splendor. To "give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name" is not to add something to God, for He is infinitely glorious, but rather to recognize, acknowledge, and declare His intrinsic, weighty significance and supreme value. It is an act of attributing ultimate importance, praise, and adoration to Him as the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign Lord of all things.
* **Offering (Hebrew, _minchâh'_):** The term מִנְחָה (_minchâh_, H4503) typically refers to a "gift," "tribute," or specifically a "grain offering" in the Mosaic Law, often bloodless and voluntary. However, in this broader context, it signifies any act of homage or devotion brought to God. It encompasses not just material sacrifices but also the giving of oneself, one's time, talents, and resources as an expression of worship and submission. It implies an active, intentional act of presenting something of value, something costly, to God as a demonstration of reverence and devotion.
* **Beauty of Holiness (Hebrew, _hădârâh-qôdesh'_):** This rich phrase, הַדְרַת־קֹדֶשׁ (_hădârâh-qôdesh_), combines _hădârâh_ (H1927, meaning splendor, majesty, adornment, beauty) with _qôdesh_ (H6944, meaning holiness, sacredness, a sacred place or thing). It does not refer to outward aesthetic beauty of a building or ritual, but to the inherent splendor and awe-inspiring nature of God's own holiness. When applied to worshippers, it means approaching God with reverence, moral purity, and spiritual integrity. It suggests that true worship is characterized by a reflection of God's sacred purity, where the worshipper's inner consecration and moral uprightness manifest as a beautiful and acceptable offering to God. It is the splendor that emanates from a life truly set apart for God, a reverence that arises from acknowledging His absolute otherness and purity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Give unto the LORD the glory [due] unto his name":** This opening imperative establishes the foundational principle of all true worship: God is inherently worthy of all praise, honor, and adoration. To "give glory" means to acknowledge His supreme value, to declare His majesty, and to attribute to Him the honor that is rightfully His because of His transcendent character, omnipotent power, and mighty deeds. The phrase "unto his name" emphasizes that it is God's very being, His revealed character and identity, that is the object of this glory, encompassing all that He is and all that He has done.
* **"bring an offering, and come before him":** These two sequential commands highlight the active, intentional, and personal nature of worship. "Bring an offering" signifies a tangible act of devotion, whether a material sacrifice in the Old Covenant context or, more broadly, the giving of one's best—time, talents, resources, and one's very self—as an act of homage and submission. "Come before him" emphasizes the necessity of drawing near to God's presence, not casually or incidentally, but with purpose, reverence, and expectation. It implies a conscious, personal encounter, an intentional entry into His presence.
* **"worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness":** This culminating phrase describes the *manner*, *quality*, and *inner condition* of true worship. It is not merely ritualistic or external but must stem from an inner state of purity and reverence. "The beauty of holiness" refers to the splendor and awe-inspiring nature of God's own sacredness, which should be reflected in the lives and attitudes of those who worship Him. It calls for worship that is characterized by moral integrity, spiritual purity, and a heart set apart for God, recognizing that the most profound beauty in worship is found in genuine consecration, sincere devotion, and a life that aligns with God's holy character.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message about worship. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, seen in the series of direct commands: "Give," "bring," "come," and "worship." This creates a sense of urgency, directness, and authoritative instruction, emphasizing that worship is not an optional activity but a mandatory and active response to God's inherent worth. There is also a strong element of **Cumulative Structure**, where each clause builds upon the previous one, progressively defining and deepening the nature of true worship. It moves from the foundational principle of attributing glory to God, to the active steps of bringing an offering and drawing near, culminating in the essential quality and inner disposition of worship—"in the beauty of holiness." This creates a comprehensive and escalating picture of what God desires from His worshippers. Furthermore, the evocative phrase "beauty of holiness" functions as a rich **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**. It is a metaphor for the splendor and attractiveness of a life consecrated to God, suggesting that spiritual purity and devotion are inherently beautiful and pleasing in His sight. It symbolizes the awe-inspiring nature of God's own holiness, which should be mirrored in the reverent and pure approach of His people, signifying that true worship is an outflow of a holy life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:29 provides a timeless theological framework for understanding worship, connecting the Old Testament's emphasis on God's transcendent holiness with the New Testament's call for spiritual devotion. It underscores the unchanging truth that God alone is worthy of all glory and that our worship must be a fitting response to His inherent majesty and saving acts. The call to "bring an offering" foreshadows the ultimate offering of Christ, but also reminds believers that worship is an active, sacrificial engagement of our whole selves, a presentation of our lives to God. The profound concept of "worship in the beauty of holiness" transcends mere ritual, demanding an inner purity and moral integrity that aligns with God's character. This aligns with the prophetic call for justice and righteousness as integral to true worship (e.g., [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God Desires Justice, Not Just Rituals")), and it anticipates the New Covenant emphasis on worship "in spirit and truth," where the condition of the heart is paramount ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers")). Ultimately, this verse teaches that genuine worship is a holistic, heartfelt, and holy response to the God who is supremely glorious.

* [Psalm 29:2](/psalms/29-2 "Psalm 29:2 - Ascribe to the Lord Glory") - "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."
* [Psalm 96:9](/psalms/96-9 "Psalm 96:9 - Worship the Lord in Holy Attire") - "O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth."
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices") - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 1 Chronicles 16:29 remains a foundational guide for authentic worship, extending far beyond formal church gatherings into every sphere of life. It challenges us to examine the posture of our hearts and the intention behind our actions when we approach God. Are we truly giving Him the "glory due unto his name," acknowledging His supreme worth and allowing that recognition to shape our priorities, perspectives, and pursuits? This means living a God-centered life where His honor is paramount, not just in our words of praise, but in our deeds, our finances, our relationships, and our use of time. The command to "bring an offering, and come before him" calls us to active, intentional participation in worship. This isn't about mere attendance or passive observation, but about bringing our very best—our focused attention, our heartfelt praise, our material resources, and our very selves as a living sacrifice. It's an invitation to draw near to God with purpose, expectation, and a willingness to be transformed by His holy presence. Most profoundly, "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" reminds us that true worship is not about outward performance, aesthetic perfection, or emotional fervor alone, but about inner purity, moral integrity, and a consecrated life. It's about aligning our character with God's, striving for holiness because He is holy. This means cultivating a heart that is set apart for Him, seeking to live in obedience and truth, recognizing that the most beautiful and acceptable worship flows from a pure heart dedicated to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I "give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name" in my daily life, beyond formal worship times?**
* **What "offering" am I truly bringing to God—not just materially, but of my time, talents, and attention—when I "come before Him" in prayer, service, or communal worship?**
* **What does "worship in the beauty of holiness" look like for me personally, and how can I cultivate a heart and life that increasingly reflect this spiritual purity and reverence?**
* **How does my understanding of God's absolute holiness impact the way I approach Him in prayer, Bible study, and my interactions with others?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "give unto the LORD the glory [due] unto his name"?**

Answer: To "give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name" means to acknowledge, recognize, and declare God's inherent worth, majesty, and supreme value. It's not about adding to God's glory, as He is already infinitely glorious in Himself, but about attributing to Him the honor that is rightfully His. This involves praising Him for His character (His love, justice, power, wisdom), His mighty acts (creation, redemption, providence), and His unwavering faithfulness. It means living a life that reflects His greatness, making His name known, and prioritizing His honor above all else. It's a fundamental act of worship that positions God as the ultimate authority and source of all good, echoing the universal call to praise found in passages like [Psalm 145:1-21](/psalms/145 "Psalm 145 - The Lord is Gracious and Merciful").

**What kind of "offering" are believers today expected to bring, as the Old Testament sacrificial system is no longer in place?**

Answer: While the Old Testament sacrificial system, including grain offerings (_minchah_), has been fulfilled in Christ's ultimate sacrifice, the principle of bringing an "offering" remains vital for believers today. In the New Covenant, this offering is primarily spiritual, personal, and holistic. It includes presenting our bodies as a "living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God," which is described as our "reasonable service" or "spiritual worship" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). It also involves offering the "sacrifice of praise" from our lips ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")), sharing our resources with those in need ([Hebrews 13:16](/hebrews/13-16 "Hebrews 13:16 - Doing Good and Sharing")), and dedicating our time, talents, and service to God's kingdom. It's about giving our best, not out of legalistic obligation, but out of love, gratitude, and devotion, as an expression of our worship and submission to God.

**What is meant by "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness"?**

Answer: "Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" refers to approaching God with an inner state of purity, reverence, and moral integrity. It is not about outward aesthetic beauty of rituals or buildings, but about the inherent splendor and attractiveness of a heart and life consecrated to God. God's holiness is His absolute purity, separateness, and moral perfection. To worship Him "in the beauty of holiness" means that our worship should reflect His character—it should be sincere, truthful, and accompanied by a life that strives for righteousness and moral uprightness. It implies that true worship flows from a pure conscience and a spirit set apart for God, making our devotion beautiful and acceptable in His sight ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). It is the splendor that emanates from a life lived in devoted obedience and reverence for God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 16:29, with its ancient call to "give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name" and "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of God's glory, described as 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")). Through His sinless life, His atoning death on the cross, and His victorious resurrection, Jesus perfectly glorified the Father, demonstrating the full "beauty of holiness" in His impeccable character and sacrificial obedience. As the ultimate "offering," Christ presented Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sin ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - The Perfect Sacrifice")), thereby opening a new and living way for us to "come before Him" with confidence and boldness ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God through Christ")). Now, through faith in Him, believers are declared holy and righteous in God's sight, not by their own merit, but by His imputed righteousness and the sanctifying work of the indwelling Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Righteousness and Sanctification")). Our worship, therefore, is a Christ-centered response, empowered by His Spirit, enabling us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")) and to "declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")). In Christ, the ancient call to worship is transformed into a vibrant, spiritual reality, enabling us to approach a holy God with pure hearts, all glory redounding to His name through the 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.

Cross-References

Psalms 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.

Psalms 96:9

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Isaiah 6:3

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory.

Psalms 108:3

I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

Psalms 108:5

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;

Psalms 96:6

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

Psalms 95:2

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.