1 Chronicles 16:30

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:30 is part of a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving and praise delivered by King David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. This momentous occasion symbolized God's abiding presence among His people, and David's psalm serves as a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and majesty, calling all creation to acknowledge Him.

Context

This verse is found within David's great psalm of thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 16:8-36), which he appointed for the Levites to sing before the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark, representing God's throne and presence, had finally been brought to its resting place in Jerusalem after a long journey (1 Chronicles 15:25). This psalm, which shares significant portions with Psalm 105 and Psalm 96, is a joyous proclamation of God's mighty acts, His covenant faithfulness, and His universal kingship, inviting all creation to worship Him.

Key Themes

  • Universal Reverence and Worship: The command "Fear before him, all the earth" is not an injunction to be terrified, but rather to hold God in profound reverential awe and respect. It's a call for all of humanity to acknowledge His supreme authority and to worship Him due to His inherent majesty and power. This acknowledges God's universal claim over all creation.
  • God's Sovereignty and Cosmic Stability: The phrase "the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved" underscores God's role as the ultimate sustainer and orchestrator of creation. The stability and order of the cosmos are not accidental but are divinely established and maintained by His power. When humanity recognizes and honors God, a divine order is affirmed that brings stability to the world, both physically and morally. This reflects a deep trust in God's sustaining power and His providential care.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Fear" (Hebrew: yare' - ื™ึธืจึตื): While "fear" can imply terror, in this biblical context, especially when directed towards God, yare' primarily conveys a sense of profound reverence, awe, and respect. It signifies recognizing God's holiness, power, and sovereignty, leading to humble submission and worship rather than paralyzing dread.
  • "Stable" (Hebrew: kun - ื›ึผื•ึผืŸ): This word means to be established, firm, steadfast, or prepared. It suggests that the world is not chaotic or prone to collapse, but is divinely ordered and upheld. Its stability is a testament to God's deliberate and unwavering governance, ensuring its continued existence and purpose.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Chronicles 16:30 serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring sovereignty and the appropriate response of humanity. Our lives, communities, and the world itself find true stability not in human efforts or ideologies, but in acknowledging and submitting to God's divine order. It encourages us to:

  • Cultivate Reverence: Approach God with genuine awe and respect, recognizing His supreme authority in all areas of life and worshiping Him for who He is.
  • Trust in Divine Stability: In a world often characterized by instability and uncertainty, we can find peace and security in knowing that God is in control and His purposes for the world are steadfast. This trust allows us to live with confidence, knowing that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
  • Proclaim His Sovereignty: Like David, we are called to declare God's greatness to all the earth, inviting others to recognize Him as the source of all stability, order, and ultimate hope.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 33:9 (4 votes)

    For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.

  • Revelation 11:15 (3 votes)

    And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

  • Psalms 148:5 (3 votes)

    Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.

  • Psalms 148:6 (3 votes)

    He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

  • Psalms 93:1 (3 votes)

    ยถ The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, [wherewith] he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

  • Hebrews 1:3 (3 votes)

    Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

  • Jeremiah 10:12 (2 votes)

    He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.