1 Chronicles 16:24
Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
Original Language Analysis
סַפְּר֤וּ
Declare
H5608
סַפְּר֤וּ
Declare
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
בַגּוֹיִם֙
among the heathen
H1471
בַגּוֹיִם֙
among the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
2 of 7
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כְּבוֹד֔וֹ
his glory
H3519
כְּבוֹד֔וֹ
his glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Psalms 22:27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.2 Kings 19:19Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.
Historical Context
This verse (also Psalm 96:3) reveals Israel's missionary mandate. Though Israel often failed to embrace it, the vision persisted: Jerusalem as light to nations (Isaiah 49:6). Jesus' missionary commission realizes this Old Testament vision.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your worship naturally overflow into witness about God's glory?
- What 'marvellous works' of God should you be declaring among your neighbors and nations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations—The Hebrew sapperu ('declare/recount') carries missionary force: proclaim, narrate, tell forth. David's psalm commands testifying to God's kabod ('glory'—His weighty, manifest presence) among the goyim ('nations/gentiles'). This is Great Commission language 1,000 years before Christ.
The 'marvellous works' (niphle'otav) refer to God's supernatural interventions—creation, exodus, conquest. Israel's worship should overflow into witness. Paul quotes this psalm in Romans 15:11 to justify gentile mission: God always intended Israel's worship to inspire universal praise. Missions isn't New Testament innovation but Abrahamic covenant fulfillment (Gen 12:3).