1 Chronicles 16:34 Meaning and Explanation
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The oldest worship line in Israel: God is good, and His love never runs out.
The Context of 1 Chronicles 16:34
This line comes from the psalm David first gave to be sung on the day the ark of God was carried into Jerusalem and set inside the tent he had pitched for it (1 Chronicles 16:1, 7). It is a moment of overflowing joy, and David hands the people words for it. The same refrain would echo through Israel's worship for centuries afterward.
What Does 1 Chronicles 16:34 Mean?
The call is simple enough for a child to repeat: give thanks to the LORD. Two reasons follow, and they are the bedrock under everything else. He is good, good in Himself and good in what He gives. And His mercy, His steadfast covenant love, endures for ever. It does not wear thin or run dry. On a day of great gladness, David wanted the people to anchor their joy not in the feeling but in the unchanging character of the One they were thanking.
That love which endures for ever found its fullest shape in Jesus. Centuries after David sang it, the temple choirs lifted this same refrain when the glory of God filled the house (2 Chronicles 5:13). Israel kept singing it because it kept proving true, all the way to a cross where God's goodness and His mercy met and held nothing back. The love that does not run out reaches us still, and it invites our thanks before we have anything figured out.
1 Chronicles 16:34 in the Original Language
chesed (חֶסֶד), 'mercy' -- God's steadfast, covenant-keeping love that stays loyal and does not run out.
How to Apply 1 Chronicles 16:34 Today
This is a line worth keeping near. On our best days it gives our joy something solid to rest on, and on our hardest days it tells us the truest thing about God when little else feels sure: He is good, and His love toward us does not run out.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Chronicles 16:34
What does 1 Chronicles 16:34 mean?
The oldest worship line in Israel: God is good, and His love never runs out.
What is the context of 1 Chronicles 16:34?
This line comes from the psalm David first gave to be sung on the day the ark of God was carried into Jerusalem and set inside the tent he had pitched for it (1 Chronicles 16:1, 7). It is a moment of overflowing joy, and David hands the people words for it. The same refrain would echo through Israel's worship for centuries afterward.
How can I apply 1 Chronicles 16:34 today?
This is a line worth keeping near. On our best days it gives our joy something solid to rest on, and on our hardest days it tells us the truest thing about God when little else feels sure: He is good, and His love toward us does not run out.