1 Chronicles 16:31

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let [men] say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

Let the heavens {H8064} be glad {H8055}, and let the earth {H776} rejoice {H1523}: and let men say {H559} among the nations {H1471}, The LORD {H3068} reigneth {H4427}.

Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "ADONAI is king!"

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice. Let them say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; And let them say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:31 is a vibrant declaration of God's universal sovereignty, taken from a psalm of thanksgiving sung by David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. This verse calls all of creation to acknowledge and celebrate the reign of the LORD.

Context

This verse is part of a grand psalm of praise and thanksgiving composed by King David and given to Asaph and his brethren to sing before the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem. The occasion was momentous: the Ark, symbolizing God's presence, had finally been brought to its permanent resting place after years of being in various locations (see 1 Chronicles 15:25-29). This event marked a significant spiritual and political milestone for Israel, establishing Jerusalem as both the capital and the center of worship. The psalm, which shares significant portions with Psalm 96, reflects a national outpouring of joy and recognition of God's rightful place as king.

Key Themes

  • Universal Rejoicing: The command "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice" signifies that God's reign is not limited to humanity or Israel, but extends to all of creation. The entire cosmos is invited to participate in the celebration of His kingship.
  • God's Sovereignty: The core message is encapsulated in the declaration, "The LORD reigneth." This asserts God's absolute authority, power, and rightful rule over all things. It is a foundational truth of biblical faith, providing comfort and confidence that God is ultimately in control.
  • Proclamation to the Nations: The phrase "let [men] say among the nations" highlights a missional aspect. The joy and truth of God's reign are not meant to be confined to Israel but are to be proclaimed globally. It anticipates a day when all peoples will recognize and declare His sovereignty, a theme echoed in other prophetic passages (e.g., Psalm 67:2).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The LORD reigneth" translates the Hebrew Yahweh malakh (יְהוָה מָלָךְ). Yahweh is God's personal, covenantal name, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging character. Malakh means "to be king," "to reign," or "to rule." The perfect tense used here can imply either a timeless truth ("the LORD is King") or a declaration of His immediate enthronement ("the LORD has begun to reign!"). In this context, it carries both the excitement of His active rule being acknowledged and the eternal truth of His kingship. The imperative "Let the heavens be glad" (יִשְׂמְחוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם - yismechu hashshamayim) is a poetic call for creation to respond joyfully to its Creator's dominion.

Practical Application

1 Chronicles 16:31 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. In a world often marked by chaos and uncertainty, this verse calls us to:

  • Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: We are to find peace and hope in the truth that "the LORD reigneth," regardless of earthly circumstances. Our ultimate trust rests in His divine control and perfect plan.
  • Live with Joy: Just as the heavens and earth are called to rejoice, we are invited to live with a spirit of gladness, knowing that our God is on the throne. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but on His unchanging character.
  • Proclaim His Rule: We are called to be witnesses among the nations, sharing the good news of God's reign. This means living lives that reflect His kingdom values and verbally sharing the message of His love and salvation, anticipating the day when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord.

This verse encourages a posture of worship, trust, and active participation in God's ongoing work in the world.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 96:10 (5 votes)

    ¶ Say among the heathen [that] the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

  • Psalms 97:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad [thereof].

  • Revelation 19:6 (4 votes)

    And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

  • Psalms 99:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth [between] the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

  • Isaiah 49:13 (3 votes)

    ¶ Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

  • Psalms 98:4 (3 votes)

    ¶ Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

  • Psalms 93:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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.