1 Chronicles 16:34

O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

O give thanks {H3034} unto the LORD {H3068}; for he is good {H2896}; for his mercy {H2617} endureth for ever {H5769}.

Give thanks to ADONAI; for he is good, for his grace continues forever.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

O give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:34 is a profound call to worship and a declaration of God's unchanging character, forming a central part of a psalm of thanksgiving delivered by King David. It encapsulates two fundamental reasons for offering praise: God's inherent goodness and His eternal, steadfast mercy.

Context

This verse is found within a psalm of praise that King David appointed Levites to sing before the Ark of the Covenant after it was brought to Jerusalem. The return of the Ark, symbolizing God's presence, was a momentous occasion, stirring a deep sense of gratitude and celebration among the people. The entire chapter, particularly verses 8-36, is a magnificent hymn of thanksgiving, recounting God's faithfulness to Israel from Abraham through their journey to the promised land, culminating in this timeless declaration of His goodness and enduring mercy.

Key Themes

  • A Call to Thanksgiving: The opening phrase, "O give thanks unto the LORD," is an urgent, universal invitation to express gratitude. It's not merely an emotion but an active response to God's character and actions.
  • God's Inherent Goodness: The declaration "for he is good" points to God's very nature. His goodness is not conditional or temporary; it is an intrinsic attribute, the foundation of all His dealings with humanity.
  • Everlasting Mercy (Steadfast Love): The phrase "for his mercy endureth for ever" highlights God's perpetual lovingkindness and faithfulness. This isn't just compassion but a deep, covenantal loyalty that never fails, providing comfort and assurance across generations.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "mercy" in the King James Version is chesed (ื—ึถืกึถื“). This rich term carries a deeper meaning than simple mercy; it signifies "steadfast love," "lovingkindness," "covenant loyalty," or "unfailing love." It speaks of God's faithful adherence to His promises and His gracious dealings with His people, a love that is both strong and enduring, lasting through all circumstances and into eternity. This concept is central to understanding God's relationship with His people, as seen in passages like Psalm 106:1.

Cross-References & Connections

This powerful affirmation, "for his mercy endureth for ever," is a recurring refrain throughout the Psalms and other books of the Old Testament. It appears prominently in the Great Hallel (Psalm 136), where it is repeated 26 times, emphasizing the unchanging nature of God's steadfast love through all His mighty acts. It serves as a foundational truth that underscores God's faithfulness in every generation and circumstance, from creation to redemption.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Chronicles 16:34 serves as a timeless reminder and an urgent command. It calls us to cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude, not only in times of blessing but also in challenges, knowing that God's goodness and mercy are constant. Understanding His enduring chesed provides an anchor for our hope and faith, enabling us to trust in His unchanging character and to respond with heartfelt praise and thanksgiving in every circumstance of life, echoing the truth found in Lamentations 3:22-23 that His mercies are new every morning.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 106:1 (21 votes)

    ยถ Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • 2 Chronicles 7:3 (15 votes)

    And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Ezra 3:11 (15 votes)

    And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because [he is] good, for his mercy [endureth] for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

  • Psalms 107:1 (14 votes)

    ยถ O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • 2 Chronicles 5:13 (14 votes)

    It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers [were] as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up [their] voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: that [then] the house was filled with a cloud, [even] the house of the LORD;

  • Jeremiah 33:11 (13 votes)

    The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: [and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

  • Psalms 136:1 (13 votes)

    ยถ O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.