What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 16:35? Then cry out - The verse opens with an invitation to immediate, vocal dependence on the Lord. David includes this line in the thanksgiving song sung when the ark was brought to Jerusalem (1 Chron 16:7–36). - Calling out is consistently encouraged: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you” (Psalm 50:15); “Call to Me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3). - By telling the congregation to “cry out,” David underscores that help is sought first and foremost from God, not human strength or alliances. Save us, O God of our salvation - The nation addresses God by His proven character: “the God of our salvation.” He has already rescued them from Egypt (Exodus 14:13) and countless enemies (Psalm 27:1), so their plea rests on history, not wishful thinking. - Salvation here is both immediate (safety from military threats) and ultimately prophetic, pointing to the Messiah through whom “Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). - Personal application: every believer can echo this line whenever sin, fear, or danger threatens, confident that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Gather and deliver us from the nations - Though spoken during David’s reign, the words anticipate future scattering. Moses foresaw such dispersion and promised, “the LORD your God will… gather you again from all the peoples” (Deuteronomy 30:3). - The phrase mirrors Psalm 106:47 almost word for word, confirming a theme of God’s shepherd-like commitment to retrieve His people. - For the church, gathering has a present dimension (“He Himself is our peace… breaking down the dividing wall” – Ephesians 2:14) and a future one when Christ “will send His angels… and gather His elect” (Matthew 24:31). That we may give thanks to Your holy name - Deliverance always has a purpose: worship. “Sing to the LORD, O you His saints, and praise His holy name” (Psalm 30:4). - God’s “name” represents His revealed character—holy, set apart, utterly trustworthy. - Bullet points of genuine thanksgiving: • Remember what He has done. • Recount it aloud to others (Psalm 105:1). • Respond with obedient lives (Colossians 3:17). That we may glory in Your praise - The final clause shifts from gratitude to exuberant boasting—in the Lord, not ourselves (Psalm 34:2). - “Glory” here means to delight, exult, or make much of God. It’s the positive counterpart to human pride: we abandon self-glory so His fame shines. - New-covenant fulfillment: believers are “a chosen people… that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you” (1 Peter 2:9). summary 1 Chronicles 16:35 is a model prayer woven into corporate worship. It teaches God’s people to: • Cry out first to Him. • Trust His proven power to save. • Long for complete restoration—both now and in the promised kingdom. • Respond with thankful, God-centered praise that magnifies His holy name. |
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