1 Chronicles 16:28, "Ascribe to Yahweh, you relatives of the peoples, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength!" is part of a psalm that David composed and entrusted to Asaph and his colleagues to sing before the Ark of the Covenant after it was brought to Jerusalem. To understand the verse, we need to break it down and consider its context.
"Ascribe to Yahweh": The verb "ascribe" means to attribute or give credit to something. In this context, it means to acknowledge and give honor to Yahweh.
"Yahweh": This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "LORD" in English Bibles. Using the personal name is significant, indicating a direct and intimate relationship with God.
"You relatives of the peoples": This is the key phrase to understand the scope of the call to worship. "Relatives of the peoples" (or sometimes translated as "families of the nations," "kindreds of the peoples," or "clans of the nations") refers to all the Gentile nations, i.e., those who are not Israelites. In the context of the Old Testament, God's relationship was primarily with the nation of Israel. However, this verse points to a broader recognition of God's sovereignty and a call to all nations to acknowledge Him.
"Glory and strength": These are attributes of God. "Glory" refers to God's radiant holiness, majesty, and splendor. "Strength" refers to God's power, might, and ability to accomplish His will.
In essence, the verse is a call to all nations (not just Israel) to recognize and acknowledge Yahweh, the God of Israel, and to give Him the honor (glory) and respect (strength) due to Him.
Significance and Implications:
Universality of God's Sovereignty: The verse suggests that God's reign and power extend beyond the borders of Israel. He is not just the God of Israel, but the God of all the nations.
Invitation to Gentiles: This verse can be interpreted as an invitation to the Gentile nations to participate in the worship of Yahweh. It foreshadows the later inclusion of Gentiles into God's people, as seen in the New Testament.
Recognition of God's Attributes: By ascribing glory and strength to God, the nations are acknowledging His inherent qualities and acknowledging their dependence on Him.
Missionary Theme: This verse hints at the missionary mandate for Israel to be a light to the nations, drawing them to the worship of the true God.
In conclusion, 1 Chronicles 16:28 is a powerful declaration of God's universal sovereignty and a call for all nations to acknowledge His glory and strength. It reflects a broader perspective on God's relationship with humanity beyond the nation of Israel and anticipates the future inclusion of Gentiles into God's people.
1 Chronicles 16:28, "Ascribe to Yahweh, you relatives of the peoples, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength!" is part of a psalm that David composed and entrusted to Asaph and his colleagues to sing before the Ark of the Covenant after it was brought to Jerusalem. To understand the verse, we need to break it down and consider its context.
"Ascribe to Yahweh": The verb "ascribe" means to attribute or give credit to something. In this context, it means to acknowledge and give honor to Yahweh.
"Yahweh": This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "LORD" in English Bibles. Using the personal name is significant, indicating a direct and intimate relationship with God.
"You relatives of the peoples": This is the key phrase to understand the scope of the call to worship. "Relatives of the peoples" (or sometimes translated as "families of the nations," "kindreds of the peoples," or "clans of the nations") refers to all the Gentile nations, i.e., those who are not Israelites. In the context of the Old Testament, God's relationship was primarily with the nation of Israel. However, this verse points to a broader recognition of God's sovereignty and a call to all nations to acknowledge Him.
"Glory and strength": These are attributes of God. "Glory" refers to God's radiant holiness, majesty, and splendor. "Strength" refers to God's power, might, and ability to accomplish His will.
In essence, the verse is a call to all nations (not just Israel) to recognize and acknowledge Yahweh, the God of Israel, and to give Him the honor (glory) and respect (strength) due to Him.
Significance and Implications:
Universality of God's Sovereignty: The verse suggests that God's reign and power extend beyond the borders of Israel. He is not just the God of Israel, but the God of all the nations.
Invitation to Gentiles: This verse can be interpreted as an invitation to the Gentile nations to participate in the worship of Yahweh. It foreshadows the later inclusion of Gentiles into God's people, as seen in the New Testament.
Recognition of God's Attributes: By ascribing glory and strength to God, the nations are acknowledging His inherent qualities and acknowledging their dependence on Him.
Missionary Theme: This verse hints at the missionary mandate for Israel to be a light to the nations, drawing them to the worship of the true God.
In conclusion, 1 Chronicles 16:28 is a powerful declaration of God's universal sovereignty and a call for all nations to acknowledge His glory and strength. It reflects a broader perspective on God's relationship with humanity beyond the nation of Israel and anticipates the future inclusion of Gentiles into God's people.