1 Chronicles 16:8

KJV

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

KJV (with Strong's)

Give thanks {H3034} unto the LORD {H3068}, call {H7121} upon his name {H8034}, make known {H3045} his deeds {H5949} among the people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Give thanks to ADONAI! Call on his name! Make his deeds known among the peoples.

Berean Standard Bible

“Give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations.

American Standard Version

O give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known his doings among the peoples.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 16:8 initiates a profound psalm of thanksgiving, sung by King David during the momentous occasion of bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This verse encapsulates the foundational elements of a believer's relationship with God: a heart overflowing with gratitude, a posture of humble dependence through prayer, and an urgent call to proclaim God's mighty acts to all nations. It serves as a timeless summons to worship and witness, highlighting the public and communal dimensions of faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the opening line of a psalm of thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 16:8-36) that David delivered on the day the Ark of the Covenant was finally brought to Jerusalem and placed in the tent he had prepared for it. This entire chapter marks a pivotal moment in Israel's worship life, transitioning from a more nomadic, less centralized worship to a formalized system of praise in the capital. The psalm itself is a composite, drawing heavily from existing psalms, specifically [Psalm 105:1-15](/psalms/105 "Psalm 105 - God's Faithfulness to Israel"), [Psalm 96:1-13](/psalms/96 "Psalm 96 - Sing to the Lord a New Song"), and [Psalm 106:1, 47-48](/psalms/106 "Psalm 106 - Israel's Rebellions and God's Mercy"). Its placement here underscores the theological significance of the Ark's arrival—not just as a logistical event, but as a catalyst for national worship, remembrance of God's character, and a fresh commitment to His covenant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (detailed in [1 Chronicles 15](/1_chronicles/15 "1 Chronicles 15 - The Ark Brought to Jerusalem")) was a monumental event for ancient Israel. The Ark, symbolizing God's presence and covenant faithfulness, had been largely absent from the center of Israel's worship since its capture by the Philistines and subsequent return (cf. [1 Samuel 4-7](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4-7 - The Ark Captured and Returned")). David's initiative to bring it to Jerusalem was a deliberate act to centralize Israel's worship, unify the nation under God, and establish Jerusalem as the spiritual capital. This event was accompanied by great celebration, sacrifices, and the appointment of Levites to minister before the Ark. The psalm in [1 Chronicles 16](/1_chronicles/16 "1 Chronicles 16 - David's Psalm of Thanksgiving") reflects the profound joy and theological understanding of a people whose God had once again taken up residence among them, signifying His continued commitment to His chosen nation.

* **Key Themes:** The psalm introduced by [1 Chronicles 16:8](/1_chronicles/16-8 "1 Chronicles 16:8 - Call to Thanksgiving and Proclamation") is rich with several overarching themes. **Thanksgiving and Praise** are paramount, establishing gratitude as the primary posture of worship in response to God's goodness and mighty acts. This theme permeates the entire Psalter (e.g., [Psalm 100](/psalms/100 "Psalm 100 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving")). **God's Covenant Faithfulness** is another central theme, as the psalm recounts God's historical interventions on behalf of Israel, from Abraham to the Exodus, emphasizing His unwavering promises (cf. [Psalm 105](/psalms/105 "Psalm 105 - God's Faithfulness to Israel")). **God's Universal Sovereignty** is also highlighted, as the call to "make known his deeds among the people" extends beyond Israel, anticipating a global recognition of Yahweh's reign (cf. [Psalm 96:10](/psalms/96-10 "Psalm 96:10 - The Lord Reigns")). Finally, **Worship and Proclamation** are intertwined, demonstrating that true worship is not merely an internal sentiment but an active, outward expression of God's glory to the world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Give thanks (Hebrew, _hodu'_):** Derived from the root יָדָה (_yadah_), this imperative verb signifies an active, outward expression of gratitude, praise, or confession. It often implies an extended hand, symbolizing an open acknowledgment or surrender. In this context, it's a command to publicly and heartily acknowledge the goodness and faithfulness of the LORD. It's not merely a feeling but a deliberate act of worship.
* **call upon his name (Hebrew, _qir'u bishmo'_):** This phrase uses the imperative of the verb קָרָא (_qara'_), meaning "to call, cry out, proclaim," combined with "in his name." To "call upon His name" is to invoke God's revealed character, authority, and power. It implies seeking Him in prayer, appealing to His covenant promises, and relying on His very being. It signifies a deep, personal, and often public, dependence on who God is.
* **deeds (Hebrew, _'alilotav'_):** This noun refers to God's "doings," "exploits," or "mighty acts." It specifically points to the historical interventions and powerful works of God throughout salvation history—His acts of creation, deliverance (e.g., the Exodus), provision, and judgment. The command is to make these specific, tangible demonstrations of God's power and faithfulness known.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Give thanks unto the LORD":** This is the foundational command, establishing gratitude as the proper and primary response to God. It calls for an active, verbal, and public expression of appreciation for who Yahweh is and what He has done. This thanksgiving is directed specifically "unto the LORD" (Yahweh), emphasizing the covenant God of Israel.
* **"call upon his name":** This clause moves from general thanksgiving to a more specific and intimate engagement with God. To "call upon His name" means to appeal to His character, authority, and presence. It encompasses prayer, invocation, and relying on His revealed nature. It implies a relationship where God's identity is central to the believer's trust and communication.
* **"make known his deeds among the people":** This final clause extends the scope of worship beyond the individual or the nation of Israel to the wider world. "His deeds" refers to God's mighty acts in history—His interventions, deliverances, and judgments. The command is to actively proclaim these acts, making His power and faithfulness evident not just within the covenant community but "among the people" (plural, referring to nations or peoples), anticipating a universal witness to God's glory.

#### Literary Devices
1 Chronicles 16:8 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, as the verse consists of three direct commands ("Give thanks," "call upon," "make known"). This highlights the non-negotiable and active nature of the expected response from God's people. There is also clear **Parallelism**, specifically **Synthetic Parallelism**, where each successive clause expands upon or adds to the meaning of the preceding one, building a comprehensive picture of worship that moves from internal gratitude to personal communion to outward proclamation. The progression from "give thanks" to "call upon his name" to "make known his deeds" suggests a holistic and outward-flowing expression of faith, almost a **Merism** that encompasses the full spectrum of devotion and witness. Furthermore, **Metonymy** is present in "his name" standing for God's entire character and being, and "his deeds" representing the entirety of His powerful historical interventions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 16:8 is a foundational statement on the nature of worship and the mission of God's people. It underscores that true worship is not passive but an active, multifaceted response to God's character and actions. It integrates gratitude, dependence, and proclamation into a seamless whole, revealing that our relationship with God is both deeply personal and inherently missional. The verse reminds us that God's glory is not meant to be contained but is to be declared to all, establishing a pattern for the people of God throughout history to be both recipients of His grace and heralds of His truth. This call to make God's deeds known among the nations foreshadows the universal scope of God's redemptive plan.

* [Psalm 105:1-2](/psalms/105-1 "Psalm 105:1-2 - Give Thanks and Proclaim")
* [Psalm 96:3](/psalms/96-3 "Psalm 96:3 - Declare His Glory Among the Nations")
* [Isaiah 12:4](/isaiah/12-4 "Isaiah 12:4 - Make Known His Deeds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 16:8 offers a timeless blueprint for Christian living, challenging believers to cultivate a vibrant, holistic faith that is both deeply personal and outwardly expressive. In a world often consumed by self-focus and anxiety, the command to "give thanks unto the LORD" serves as a powerful antidote, reorienting our hearts towards God's abundant goodness and faithfulness. This posture of gratitude then naturally flows into a dependence on Him, expressed through the constant practice of "calling upon his name" in prayer and trust. Finally, the imperative to "make known his deeds among the people" reminds us that our faith is never meant to be confined to private devotion. We are called to be active participants in God's ongoing story, sharing His mighty acts—His work in creation, redemption, and our personal lives—with those around us. This verse compels us to live lives that consistently testify to God's glory, transforming our daily interactions into opportunities for witness and praise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How intentionally do I cultivate a heart of thanksgiving in my daily life?**
* **In what practical ways do I "call upon His name" throughout my day, beyond formal prayer times?**
* **What are specific "deeds" of the Lord in my life or in history that I can share with others this week?**
* **How does my personal worship translate into public proclamation of God's character and acts?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "call upon his name"?**

Answer: To "call upon his name" (Hebrew: _qir'u bishmo_) is a profound biblical concept that signifies more than just uttering God's name. It implies invoking His character, appealing to His authority, and relying on His very being. It is an act of prayer, worship, and dependence, acknowledging God's revealed nature and seeking His intervention based on who He has shown Himself to be. In the Old Testament, it often refers to public worship and proclamation of Yahweh, as seen in [Genesis 4:26](/genesis/4-26 "Genesis 4:26 - People Began to Call Upon the Name of the Lord") and [Psalm 116:13](/psalms/116-13 "Psalm 116:13 - I Will Call Upon the Name of the Lord"). For believers, it means placing our trust and hope in God's revealed attributes and promises.

**How does "make known his deeds among the people" relate to evangelism today?**

Answer: The command to "make known his deeds among the people" (Hebrew: _hodi'u ba'ammim 'alilotav_) is a powerful Old Testament precursor to the New Testament call to evangelism and missions. While initially directed to Israel concerning God's acts within their history, it carries a universal implication, as "the people" (Hebrew: _'ammim_) can refer to nations or peoples beyond Israel. It means declaring God's mighty acts, His interventions in history, and His saving power. This directly parallels the Great Commission in the New Testament, where believers are commanded to go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, which are God's ultimate "deeds" of salvation (e.g., [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission") and [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth")). It emphasizes that our faith is not private but is to be proclaimed for the glory of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 16:8 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "deeds" of the Lord, which the psalmist commanded to be made known, culminate in the singular, decisive act of God in sending His Son. The greatest "deed" is the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, through whom God fully revealed His character and accomplished salvation for humanity. When we "give thanks unto the LORD" today, our gratitude is supremely directed to God for the gift of His Son and the redemption secured through Him (cf. [Colossians 3:17](/colossians/3-17 "Colossians 3:17 - Do Everything in the Name of Jesus, Giving Thanks")). To "call upon his name" is now to call upon the name of Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (cf. [Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")). And the command to "make known his deeds among the people" is perfectly realized in the Great Commission, where the Church is sent to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ—His life, death, and resurrection—as the ultimate demonstration of God's power and love to every nation, tribe, people, and language (cf. [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Multitude from Every Nation Worshipping")). Thus, 1 Chronicles 16:8 serves as a prophetic echo of the Church's Christ-centered mission to worship God and declare His glorious acts through the Gospel.

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 105:1

¶ O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

Psalms 105:15

[Saying], Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

Isaiah 12:4

¶ And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

2 Kings 19:19

Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD God, [even] thou only.

Psalms 145:5

I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

Psalms 145:6

And [men] shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.

1 Corinthians 1:2

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: