1 Chronicles 16:32

KJV

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that [is] therein.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let the sea {H3220} roar {H7481}, and the fulness {H4393} thereof: let the fields {H7704} rejoice {H5970}, and all that is therein.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let the sea roar, and everything in it; let the fields exult, and all that is in them.

Berean Standard Bible

Let the sea resound, and all that fills it; let the fields exult, and all that is in them.

American Standard Version

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; Let the field exult, and all that is therein;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:32 is a vibrant call for all creation—the sea and its inhabitants, the fields and their produce—to actively participate in praising God. This verse, embedded within King David's psalm of thanksgiving for the Ark of the Covenant's arrival in Jerusalem, extends the scope of worship beyond humanity, depicting the natural world as inherently responsive and jubilant in acknowledging its Creator's majesty and sovereignty. It captures the celebratory spirit of a pivotal moment in Israel's history, inviting a universal chorus of exultation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving and praise (1 Chronicles 16:8-36) that King David delivered, or appointed to be sung, on the momentous day the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem and placed in the tent David had prepared for it. This psalm is a composite, drawing heavily from other Psalms, notably [Psalm 105:1-15](/psalm/105-1 "Psalm 105:1-15 - Call to Praise God's Works"), [Psalm 96:1-13](/psalm/96-1 "Psalm 96:1-13 - Sing a New Song to the Lord"), and [Psalm 106:1, 47-48](/psalm/106-1 "Psalm 106:1, 47-48 - Praise for God's Steadfast Love"). The immediate verses preceding 1 Chronicles 16:32 (vv. 23-31) repeatedly call for the nations and the heavens to declare God's glory, setting the stage for the earth itself to join this cosmic symphony of praise. The psalm culminates in a doxology, emphasizing God's eternal goodness and salvation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15-16) was a profoundly significant event, marking the establishment of Jerusalem as both the political and spiritual capital of Israel. The Ark symbolized God's presence among His people, and its proper return after years of neglect (since its capture by the Philistines and subsequent journey, as detailed in [1 Samuel 4-7](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4-7 - The Ark's Capture and Return")) was a moment of national restoration and spiritual revival. David's role in this event, not just as king but also as a worshipper and arranger of cultic praise, highlights his commitment to centralizing worship and honoring God. Culturally, ancient Near Eastern peoples often viewed nature as imbued with divine presence or as responsive to divine will, making the personification of the sea and fields in praise a readily understandable and powerful image.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Universal Praise**, demonstrating that God's glory is so vast that all creation, not just humanity, is compelled to acknowledge and celebrate Him. This expands the scope of worship to a cosmic dimension, echoing the declaration in [Psalm 19:1](/psalm/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory"). Secondly, it highlights **God's Absolute Sovereignty** over all things; the command for the sea to "roar" and the fields to "rejoice" implicitly reveals God's control over the natural world, which responds obediently to His will. Finally, the verse is saturated with **Joy and Celebration**, reflecting the exuberant spirit appropriate for the Ark's return and encouraging a similar celebratory attitude in all worship, a theme found throughout David's psalms, such as [Psalm 98:4-6](/psalm/98-4 "Psalm 98:4-6 - Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Roar (Hebrew, _ra'am'_):** This word (רָעַם) typically describes a thunderous sound, a powerful shout, or a rumbling. When applied to the sea, it evokes the mighty, awe-inspiring sound of crashing waves or a tempest, suggesting a vibrant, dynamic, and powerful form of praise. It's not a gentle murmur but an emphatic, resounding declaration.
* **Fulness (Hebrew, _melo'o'_):** The term (מְלֹאוֹ) refers to everything that fills or constitutes the sea—its vastness, its depths, and all its myriad creatures. This emphasizes the totality of the marine world participating in this act of praise, indicating that no part of God's creation is excluded from His glory.
* **Rejoice (Hebrew, _'alaz'_):** This word (עָלַז) conveys a strong sense of exultation, jubilation, and triumph. It suggests an active, expressive, and even leaping or dancing joy. For the fields, it implies a vibrant flourishing, a bountiful harvest, and a lively abundance that inherently declares God's goodness and provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof":** This clause issues an imperative command for the vast and powerful ocean, along with everything contained within it, to make a loud, thunderous sound. The "roar" is not one of anger or chaos, but of majestic, resounding praise, a natural expression of awe before its Creator. It signifies the raw power and immensity of God's creation actively acknowledging His sovereignty.
* **"let the fields rejoice, and all that [is] therein":** Following the sea, the land, specifically the cultivated "fields," is commanded to express joy. This contrasts the wild, untamed sea with the life-giving, fertile land, demonstrating that every aspect of the natural world, from the grandest to the most mundane, is called to respond with jubilation. "All that is therein" encompasses the crops, the animals, and all the life supported by the earth, collectively celebrating God's provision and life-sustaining power.

#### Literary Devices
1 Chronicles 16:32 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of universal praise. **Personification** is central, attributing human actions and emotions—roaring and rejoicing—to inanimate or non-human entities like the sea and fields. This vivid imagery makes the abstract concept of creation praising God tangible and relatable, inviting the reader to imagine a cosmos alive with worship. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically a form of synonymous parallelism where the two clauses ("Let the sea roar... let the fields rejoice...") express similar ideas of creation's praise, but through different natural elements. This repetition reinforces the universality and comprehensiveness of the call to worship. Furthermore, the use of the **Imperative Mood** ("Let the sea roar," "let the fields rejoice") functions as a poetic command, indicating God's absolute authority over creation and its inherent responsiveness to His will. This is not merely a description but an active summons, portraying creation as an obedient participant in the divine symphony. The cumulative effect of these devices is a grand, sweeping vision of the entire cosmos united in exultant homage to its Creator.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of creation as a testament to God's glory and power. It highlights that the natural world, by its very existence and operation, inherently declares the majesty of its Maker, inviting humanity to join in this cosmic chorus of praise. This perspective elevates our view of nature, not merely as a resource, but as an active participant in God's ongoing narrative of worship. The theological implication is that God's glory is so immense that it cannot be contained by human voices alone; it spills over into every fiber of the created order, compelling even the non-rational elements to acknowledge His supreme worth. This universal call to praise also foreshadows the ultimate restoration of creation, when all things will fully and perfectly declare God's glory in the new heavens and new earth.

* [Psalm 96:11-12](/psalm/96-11 "Psalm 96:11-12 - Let the Heavens Rejoice and the Earth Be Glad")
* [Psalm 148:7-10](/psalm/148-7 "Psalm 148:7-10 - All Creation Praises the Lord")
* [Romans 8:19-22](/romans/8-19 "Romans 8:19-22 - Creation Groans for Redemption")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 16:32 serves as a profound reminder that worship is not confined to human voices or religious spaces; it is an inherent response of all creation to its Maker. For believers today, this verse challenges us to expand our understanding of worship, recognizing that every sunrise, every crashing wave, and every blooming field silently (or powerfully) declares God's majesty. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of profound joy and exuberance in our own worship and gratitude, mirroring the celebratory tone of this ancient psalm. Furthermore, understanding that the earth and its fullness belong to the Lord should inspire us towards responsible stewardship of creation, recognizing its inherent value and its role in glorifying God. Our care for the environment becomes an act of worship, joining the very ground beneath our feet in its praise. This verse calls us to immerse ourselves in creation, not just to admire it, but to hear its perpetual song of praise and to join in with our own voices and lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing creation's praise change your perspective on everyday encounters with nature?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a more "roaring" or "rejoicing" spirit in your personal worship and daily life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to honor God through responsible stewardship of the "sea" and "fields" in your sphere of influence?**
* **How does the idea of universal praise encourage or challenge your understanding of God's sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible personify natural elements like the sea and fields as praising God?**

Answer: The personification of natural elements like the sea and fields (e.g., "roar," "rejoice") is a common poetic and theological device in Scripture. It serves to emphasize God's absolute sovereignty and the inherent responsiveness of all creation to its Creator. It's not suggesting that the sea literally has emotions or a vocal cord, but rather that its powerful sounds and the land's vibrant fertility are natural, undeniable declarations of God's glory and power. This literary technique invites humans to perceive the world around them as actively participating in worship, thereby encouraging them to join this cosmic chorus. It underscores that God's majesty is so immense that it compels even the non-rational elements of His creation to acknowledge Him, as seen in [Psalm 19:1](/psalm/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory").

**What is the significance of "the fulness thereof" and "all that [is] therein" in this verse?**

Answer: These phrases ("the fulness thereof" for the sea and "all that [is] therein" for the fields) are crucial for emphasizing the comprehensive and universal nature of the praise. "The fulness thereof" refers to everything that fills the sea—its vast depths, its countless creatures, and its immense power. Similarly, "all that is therein" for the fields encompasses all its produce, its animals, and the life it sustains. By including these phrases, the verse makes it clear that not just the broad categories of "sea" and "fields" are called to praise, but every single aspect, every creature, and every element within them. This reinforces the idea that no part of God's creation is outside the scope of His glory or His call to worship, underscoring the totality of His dominion and the pervasive nature of His presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 16:32 celebrates creation's inherent praise of God, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment points to Jesus as the one through whom all things were created and by whom all things hold together ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer")). The "roar" of the sea and the "rejoicing" of the fields, though powerful declarations of the Creator's glory, also hint at a creation that, since the Fall, has been subjected to futility and groans in anticipation of its redemption ([Romans 8:19-22](/romans/8-19 "Romans 8:19-22 - Creation Groans for Redemption")). Christ, as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), is the one through whom this groaning creation will be liberated. His redemptive work on the cross not only reconciles humanity to God but also initiates the cosmic reconciliation of all things, whether on earth or in heaven ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). Therefore, the universal praise envisioned in 1 Chronicles 16:32 finds its perfect and eternal expression in the new heavens and new earth, where Christ will be all in all ([Ephesians 1:10](/ephesians/1-10 "Ephesians 1:10 - Summing Up All Things in Christ")), and every creature will join in the chorus of worship, declaring His worthiness without hindrance ([Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - Every Creature Praises God and the Lamb")). The sea will roar and the fields will rejoice in a new creation, fully liberated and perfectly reflecting the glory of their Redeemer King.

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 93:4

The LORD on high [is] mightier than the noise of many waters, [yea, than] the mighty waves of the sea.

Isaiah 44:23

Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done [it]: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

Psalms 98:7

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalms 98:8

Let the floods clap [their] hands: let the hills be joyful together

Psalms 148:9

Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

Psalms 148:10

Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: