1 Chronicles 16:11
Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
Original Language Analysis
דִּרְשׁ֤וּ
Seek
H1875
דִּרְשׁ֤וּ
Seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְעֻזּ֔וֹ
and his strength
H5797
וְעֻזּ֔וֹ
and his strength
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
3 of 6
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
בַּקְּשׁ֥וּ
seek
H1245
בַּקְּשׁ֥וּ
seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
4 of 6
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
Cross References
Psalms 68:35O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.Psalms 24:6This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.Psalms 67:1God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.Psalms 4:6There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.Amos 5:6Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Beth-el.2 Chronicles 6:41Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.Psalms 78:61And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.
Historical Context
Set in the context of bringing the ark to Jerusalem (c. 1000 BCE), this call to continual seeking established worship patterns for Israel's golden age. The Levitical musicians would repeat this daily, shaping communal spirituality around God-centeredness.
Questions for Reflection
- How 'continual' is your seeking of God's face - is it occasional crisis-driven prayer or daily practice?
- What would change if you pursued God's presence with the same persistence you pursue other goals?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
David's psalm commands 'Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.' The dual object - 'LORD' (person) and 'his strength' (attribute/provision) - shows worship pursues both relationship and resource. 'Seek his face' (baqash panav) uses intimate language of desiring God's presence and favor. The adverb 'continually' (tamid) indicates perpetual, not occasional, seeking. This pattern of continuous God-seeking characterizes covenant faithfulness throughout Chronicles. It anticipates Jesus's teaching to pray always (Luke 18:1) and Paul's command to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Seeking God's face is the believer's lifelong pursuit.