1 Chronicles 16:31
Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice. Let them say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns!'
Let the heavens be glad,

God’s reign brings joy to the heavenly realm, where His authority is fully known and His glory is continually honored. All creation stands under His rule and bears witness to His power.

Psa 96:11 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;…
Isa 49:13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth;…
Isa 44:23 Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this;…

and the earth rejoice.

The world God made is included in this celebration. His righteous kingship gives hope for the restoration of creation from the effects of sin and disorder.

Psa 97:1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;…
Psa 98:4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;…
Isa 35:1 The wilderness and the dry land will be glad;…

Let them say among the nations,

Israel was to proclaim God’s sovereignty beyond its own borders. Surrounded by peoples who served false gods, the nation was called to declare the truth of the one living God to every people.

Psa 96:3 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders…
Psa 105:1 Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;…
Isa 12:4 “Give praise to the LORD; proclaim His name!…

‘The LORD reigns!’

The LORD alone is King over the earth, directing history according to His purposes and judging with righteousness. His reign would ultimately be revealed in fullness through Christ, the rightful King over all nations.

Psa 93:1 The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty;…
Psa 99:1 The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble!…
Zec 14:9 On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth—…

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The king of Israel who organized the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, which is the context of this chapter.

2. Jerusalem
The city where the Ark was brought, symbolizing God's presence among His people.

3. The Ark of the Covenant
Represents God's covenant and presence with Israel, central to the worship and celebration in this chapter.

4. The Nations
Refers to all peoples outside of Israel, highlighting the universal call to recognize God's sovereignty.

5. The Heavens and the Earth
Symbolic of all creation, called to rejoice in God's reign.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
Recognize and celebrate God's ultimate authority over all creation. This acknowledgment should lead to worship and trust in His perfect plan.

Universal Call to Worship
Understand that God's reign is not limited to Israel but extends to all nations. This calls for a global perspective in our worship and mission.

Joy in Creation
Reflect on how creation itself rejoices in God's rule, and consider how we can join in this celebration through our lives and actions.

Proclamation of God's Reign
As believers, we are called to declare God's sovereignty in our communities and beyond, living as witnesses to His kingdom.

Hope in God's Reign
In times of uncertainty, find hope and assurance in the truth that God reigns supreme, and His purposes will prevail.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the context of 1 Chronicles 16, with the Ark being brought to Jerusalem, enhance our understanding of the call to rejoice in God's reign?

2. In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, proclaim "The LORD reigns" in our daily lives and communities?

3. How does the theme of God's sovereignty in 1 Chronicles 16:31 connect with the message of hope found in Revelation 19:6?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our worship reflects the joy and celebration described in this verse?

5. How can the acknowledgment of God's reign influence our perspective on current global events and personal challenges?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 96:10
This verse echoes the proclamation that "The LORD reigns," emphasizing God's sovereignty over all the earth.

Revelation 19:6
Describes the multitude in heaven proclaiming the reign of the Lord, connecting the theme of divine kingship across both Testaments.

Philippians 2:10-11
Speaks of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing Jesus as Lord, aligning with the call for all nations to acknowledge God's rule.
God's Present ReignR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 16:31
God's Rule the Saint's ComfortR. Newton.1 Chronicles 16:31
PessimismDean Farrar.1 Chronicles 16:31
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
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
Established, Glad, Heavens, Joy, Moved, Nations, Reigned, Reigneth, Reigns, Rejoice
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 16:31

     1130   God, sovereignty
     2376   kingdom of God, coming
     5369   kingship, divine

1 Chronicles 16:8-36

     8609   prayer, as praise and thanksgiving

1 Chronicles 16:28-31

     5003   human race, and God

1 Chronicles 16:30-31

     4114   angels, and praise

1 Chronicles 16:30-33

     1075   God, justice of

1 Chronicles 16:31-33

     8287   joy, experience

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

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