1 Chronicles 16:34
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Original Language Analysis
הוֹד֤וּ
O give thanks
H3034
הוֹד֤וּ
O give thanks
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
1 of 7
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
לַֽיהוָה֙
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ט֔וֹב
for he is good
H2896
ט֔וֹב
for he is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
4 of 7
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 106:1Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.2 Chronicles 7:3And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.Ezra 3:11And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.Psalms 107:1O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.2 Chronicles 5:13It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;Jeremiah 33:11The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.Psalms 118:1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Historical Context
This antiphonal response (one group singing 'for he is good,' another responding 'for his mercy endures forever') characterized temple worship. Its frequent repetition in Chronicles emphasizes the Chronicler's focus on proper worship as covenant community's heartbeat.
Questions for Reflection
- How does meditating on God's enduring mercy affect your response to personal failures and His discipline?
- What specific evidences of God's 'goodness' and 'mercy' in your life warrant fresh thanksgiving today?
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Analysis & Commentary
The refrain 'O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever' appears throughout Scripture (Psalms 106, 107, 118, 136). Thanksgiving (yadah - praise/confess) responds to God's character ('he is good') and His covenant love (chesed - steadfast love/mercy). The phrase 'endureth forever' (l'olam chasdo) emphasizes the permanence of God's covenant commitment. This isn't based on Israel's worthiness but God's nature. The repetition of this refrain in temple worship (1 Chronicles 16:41, 2 Chronicles 5:13, 7:3, 6, 20:21) made it central to Israel's liturgical life, pointing to the eternal nature of God's love demonstrated ultimately in Christ.