1 Chronicles 16:30

KJV

Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

KJV (with Strong's)

Fear {H2342} before {H6440} him, all the earth {H776}: the world {H8398} also shall be stable {H3559}, that it be not moved {H4131}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established, immovable.

Berean Standard Bible

tremble before Him, all the earth. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

American Standard Version

Tremble before him, all the earth: The world also is established that it cannot be moved.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:30, a profound declaration within David's psalm of thanksgiving, calls all creation to acknowledge God's supreme majesty and sovereignty. It proclaims that the stability and order of the entire cosmos are divinely established and maintained by His power, contingent upon universal reverence for Him. This verse encapsulates a foundational truth: genuine awe and worship of the Creator are inextricably linked to the enduring order and steadfastness of the world He sustains.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within [David's great psalm of thanksgiving](/1_chronicles/16 "1 Chronicles 16 - David's Psalm of Thanksgiving"), a pivotal liturgical composition delivered when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem and placed in the tent David had prepared for it. The psalm, recorded in [1 Chronicles 16:8-36](/1_chronicles/16-8 "1 Chronicles 16:8-36 - David's Psalm of Thanksgiving"), is a composite work, drawing heavily from [Psalm 105:1-15](/psalms/105-1 "Psalm 105:1-15 - God's Faithfulness to Israel"), [Psalm 96:1-13](/psalms/96-1 "Psalm 96:1-13 - A Call to Worship the Lord"), and [Psalm 106:1, 47-48](/psalms/106-1 "Psalm 106:1, 47-48 - Praise for God's Steadfast Love"). Its placement immediately after the detailed account of the Ark's procession ([1 Chronicles 15](/1_chronicles/15 "1 Chronicles 15 - The Ark Brought to Jerusalem")) underscores the theological significance of God's manifest presence among His people and serves as a foundational declaration of His universal kingship, intended for ongoing worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem by King David ([1 Chronicles 15:25-29](/1_chronicles/15-25 "1 Chronicles 15:25-29 - David Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem")) was a monumental event. It marked the spiritual centralization of Israel under David's rule, establishing Jerusalem not only as the political capital but also as the religious heart of the nation. The Ark, representing God's throne and covenant presence, was the most sacred object in Israel, symbolizing God's active dwelling among His people. In the ancient Near East, cosmic stability was often attributed to the power of various deities or the proper performance of rituals. David's psalm, however, firmly asserts that the stability of the entire world is solely dependent on the one true God, Yahweh, and humanity's appropriate response of reverence and worship. This was a radical theological claim in a polytheistic environment.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching themes in [1 Chronicles 16](/1_chronicles/16 "1 Chronicles 16 - David's Psalm of Praise") that 1 Chronicles 16:30 contributes to are **God's Universal Sovereignty** and **Cosmic Order**. The psalm repeatedly emphasizes God's dominion over all nations and creation, urging all people to "declare his glory among the nations" ([1 Chronicles 16:24](/1_chronicles/16-24 "1 Chronicles 16:24 - Declare His Glory")). The call to "Fear before him, all the earth" is a summons to universal acknowledgment of His supreme authority, not just for Israel, but for every corner of the globe. This reverence is presented as the very foundation for the world's stability, reflecting a theological conviction that the created order is sustained by the Creator's power and upheld by His providential care. The idea that God "established the world, so that it cannot be moved" ([Psalm 93:1](/psalms/93-1 "Psalm 93:1 - The Lord Reigns")) is a recurring motif, highlighting His steadfast governance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yare'_):** While "fear" can denote terror, in this sacred context, _yare'_ (יָרֵא) primarily signifies profound reverence, awe, and worshipful respect. It is the recognition of God's absolute holiness, power, and sovereignty, leading to humble submission and adoration rather than paralyzing dread. This "fear" is the appropriate response of finite humanity to the infinite, transcendent God, acknowledging His rightful place as Creator and Sustainer.
* **Stable (Hebrew, _kun'_):** The Hebrew word _kun_ (כּוּן) means to be established, firm, steadfast, prepared, or fixed. When applied to the world, it conveys the idea of divine ordering and upholding. It implies that the cosmos is not chaotic, random, or prone to collapse, but is divinely ordered, purposefully designed, and immovably sustained by God's power. Its stability is a testament to God's deliberate and unwavering governance, ensuring its continued existence and purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Fear before him, all the earth":** This is an imperative command, a universal summons to all humanity and perhaps even all creation. "Fear" here is not terror but reverential awe and worship. It calls for every individual and every nation to acknowledge God's supreme authority, majesty, and holiness. It is a declaration that the proper posture of all creation before its Creator is one of humble adoration and recognition of His sovereignty. This command extends beyond Israel, emphasizing God's universal dominion.
* **"the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved":** This clause presents the consequence or outcome of the universal reverence commanded in the first part of the verse. The "world" (Hebrew: תֵּבֵל, _tevel_, referring to the inhabited earth) is depicted as experiencing stability and steadfastness. This stability is not inherent but is divinely granted and maintained. The phrase "that it be not moved" underscores the permanence and security of this divinely established order. It suggests that when God is properly feared and worshiped, His divine order is affirmed, leading to cosmic, and by extension, moral and social stability.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. An **Imperative** verb, "Fear," initiates a direct command to "all the earth," emphasizing the universal and non-negotiable nature of this divine expectation. The phrase "all the earth" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Synecdoche**, representing all inhabitants of the world, underscoring the global scope of God's sovereignty and the call to worship. The relationship between the two clauses ("Fear before him... the world also shall be stable") implies a **Cause-and-Effect** or **Conditional Statement**: the world's stability is presented as a direct result of, or contingent upon, the universal reverence shown to God. Furthermore, the concept of the "world... stable, that it be not moved" uses **Metaphor** to describe a profound, divinely orchestrated order and steadfastness, contrasting with any notion of chaos or collapse. This stability is not merely physical but also implies a moral and spiritual order that flows from God's righteous governance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:30 profoundly articulates the biblical truth that God is not merely a tribal deity but the sovereign Lord of all creation. The call for "all the earth" to fear Him underscores His universal dominion and His rightful claim to the worship of every nation and individual. This reverential fear is presented as the bedrock upon which cosmic stability rests, implying that true order and peace in the world are not achieved through human ingenuity or political systems alone, but through the acknowledgment and submission to the divine will. When humanity aligns itself with God's purposes and offers Him due reverence, the very fabric of creation remains steadfast, reflecting His unwavering faithfulness and providential care. This verse thus connects the spiritual posture of humanity directly to the physical and moral order of the cosmos, highlighting the interconnectedness of worship, divine sovereignty, and created reality.

* [Psalm 96:9-10](/psalms/96-9 "Worship the Lord in Holy Array") - "Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns! Indeed, the world is firmly established; it will not be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.'"
* [Psalm 93:1](/psalms/93-1 "The Lord Reigns") - "The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved."
* [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Christ's Supremacy in Creation") - "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often characterized by instability, political unrest, natural disasters, and moral confusion, 1 Chronicles 16:30 offers a profound anchor for the soul. It reminds us that true stability does not reside in human institutions, economic prosperity, or technological advancement, but in the unwavering sovereignty of God. For believers, this verse is a powerful call to cultivate a deep, reverential awe for God in every aspect of life. It challenges us to move beyond a casual acknowledgment of God to a profound, worshipful fear that shapes our decisions, our priorities, and our interactions with the world. When we truly "fear before him," we align ourselves with the divine order, finding peace and security even amidst chaos, knowing that the One who holds the cosmos together also holds our lives in His steadfast hands. This trust empowers us to live with confidence, to be agents of His stability in our spheres of influence, and to proclaim His unchanging truth to a world desperately searching for solid ground.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "fearing God" truly mean in your daily life, beyond mere intellectual assent?**
* **How does the understanding of God's cosmic stability impact your anxieties about the future or current global events?**
* **In what ways can you, as an individual or part of a community, contribute to the "stability" of the world by demonstrating reverence for God?**
* **How might a deeper sense of God's sovereignty transform your approach to worship and personal devotion?**

### FAQ
**Does "the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved" mean the earth will never experience any physical changes or disasters?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that the physical earth will be immune to all geological activity, natural disasters, or even future eschatological changes. The phrase "stable, that it be not moved" (כּוּן, _kun'_) refers primarily to a divinely established and upheld order, a steadfastness in its foundational purpose and existence, rather than an absolute immobility from all forms of change. It speaks to God's ultimate control and the reliability of His created order, counteracting any notion of a chaotic or purposeless cosmos. It assures us that despite appearances, God remains sovereign over creation, and His purposes for the earth will ultimately prevail, as seen in passages like [Psalm 93:1](/psalms/93-1 "Psalm 93:1 - The Lord Reigns") or [Psalm 104:5](/psalms/104-5 "Psalm 104:5 - God Established the Earth"). The stability is theological and existential, not a promise of geological stasis.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The universal call to "fear before him, all the earth" and the promise of cosmic stability find their ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While David's psalm points to God's general sovereignty, the New Testament reveals that all things were created through Christ and for Him, and in Him, all things hold together ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ's Supremacy in Creation")). He is the very agent of creation's stability, the Word by whom the universe is sustained ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds the Universe")). The "fear" (reverential awe and worship) commanded in 1 Chronicles 16:30 is now properly directed towards God revealed in Christ, for it is through Him that we truly know the Father ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The ultimate stability of the world, both physical and spiritual, is secured not merely by an abstract divine decree but by the redemptive work of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and by His future reign when He will make all things new ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Am Making All Things New")). Thus, the cosmic peace and order envisioned in 1 Chronicles 16:30 are fully realized in the person and work of the reigning Christ, who is indeed the Lord over all creation and the source of all true and lasting stability.

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.