1 Chronicles 16:28
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations,

David summons every people group to acknowledge the LORD as the true King over all the earth. Israel’s worship was never intended to confine God’s reign within its borders. God promised Abraham that all families of the earth would be blessed through his offspring (Genesis 12:3), and the psalms repeatedly call the nations to rejoice in His salvation (Psalm 96:7–8). The gathering of Gentiles into the people of God through Christ fulfills this worldwide purpose, for God shows no partiality but receives all who fear Him and trust in His Son (Acts 10:34–35).

Psa 22:27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD…
Psa 117:1 Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him…
Rev 15:4 Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?…

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

The nations are called to give God the honor that belongs to Him alone and to confess His unmatched power. His glory was displayed in creation, in His covenant faithfulness to Israel, and in His victories over the enemies of His people. No ruler, idol, or human power can claim what belongs to the LORD (Isaiah 42:8). God’s glory and strength are revealed supremely in Jesus Christ, in whom the fullness of deity dwells bodily (Colossians 2:9), and whose saving power was displayed through His death and resurrection.

Psa 29:1-2 A Psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,…
Psa 96:7-8 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations,…
Psa 93:1 The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty;…

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The king of Israel who organized the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and led the people in worship and thanksgiving to God.

2. Israel
The nation chosen by God, represented by the families of the tribes, who are called to worship and honor God.

3. The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, symbolizing God's presence with His people.

4. Jerusalem
The city where the Ark was brought, becoming the central place of worship for Israel.

5. The Nations
Refers to all peoples outside of Israel, indicating the universal call to worship God.
Teaching Points
Universal Call to Worship
The call to "ascribe to the LORD" is not limited to Israel but extends to all families of the nations. This highlights the inclusivity of God's invitation to worship.

Recognition of God's Attributes
The terms "glory" and "strength" in the original Hebrew ('kabod' and 'oz') emphasize God's majestic presence and power. Believers are encouraged to recognize and declare these attributes in their worship.

Corporate Worship
The communal aspect of worship is emphasized, as families and nations are called together to honor God. This underscores the importance of gathering as a community to worship.

Response to God's Presence
Just as the Ark symbolized God's presence, believers today are called to respond to God's presence in their lives with reverence and praise.

Mission and Evangelism
The inclusion of "families of the nations" points to the mission of the church to spread the message of God's glory to all peoples, encouraging believers to engage in evangelism.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the call to "ascribe to the LORD" in 1 Chronicles 16:28 challenge our personal and communal worship practices today?

2. In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, recognize and declare God's glory and strength in our daily lives?

3. How does the inclusion of "families of the nations" in this verse inform our understanding of God's plan for all people?

4. What are some practical ways we can engage in corporate worship that reflects the communal call to honor God?

5. How can the themes of this verse inspire us to participate in mission and evangelism in our local and global communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 96:7-8
This passage echoes the call to ascribe glory to the Lord, emphasizing the universal nature of worship.

Revelation 5:13
Illustrates the ultimate fulfillment of all creation ascribing glory and honor to God.

Isaiah 42:12
Calls for the proclamation of God's glory among the nations, reinforcing the theme of universal worship.
David's Thanksgiving PsalmF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 16:1-43
Regular Divine ServiceW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 16:4-7, 36-43
A PsalmJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 16:7-36
The Broader Aspect of Hebrew PietyW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 16:23-36
Abiding Strength and GladnessRichard S. Storrs, D. D.1 Chronicles 16:27-29
Religious WorshipJ. Wolfendale.1 Chronicles 16:27-29
The Beautiful PlaceJ. Wolfendale.1 Chronicles 16:27-29
Hearing and WorshippingJ. R. Vernon, M. A.1 Chronicles 16:28-29
The Beauty of HolinessLegh Richardson.1 Chronicles 16:28-29
The Claims of God to the Worship and Homage of His CreaturesJ. Robinson.1 Chronicles 16:28-29
The Claims of the Supreme Being to the Worship and Homage of His CreaturesJ. Robinson.1 Chronicles 16:28-29
The Glory Which is Due to JehovahE. Payson, D. D.1 Chronicles 16:28-29
People
Asaph, Benaiah, David, Eliab, Gibeon, Heman, Hosah, Isaac, Jacob, Jahaziel, Jeduthun, Jehiel, Jeiel, Levites, Mattithiah, Obededom, Shemiramoth, Uzziel, Zadok, Zechariah
Places
Canaan, Gibeon, Jerusalem
Topics
Ascribe, Families, Glory, Honour, Kindred, Kindreds, Nations, O, Peoples, Relatives, Strength
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 16:8-36

     8609   prayer, as praise and thanksgiving

1 Chronicles 16:23-29

     8440   glorifying God

1 Chronicles 16:24-28

     1194   glory, divine and human

1 Chronicles 16:28-29

     8315   orthodoxy, in OT
     8608   prayer, and worship
     8660   magnifying God

1 Chronicles 16:28-31

     5003   human race, and God

Library
Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
1 Chronicles 16:28 NIV
1 Chronicles 16:28 NLT
1 Chronicles 16:28 ESV
1 Chronicles 16:28 NASB
1 Chronicles 16:28 KJV

1 Chronicles 16:28 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Chronicles 16:27
Top of Page
Top of Page