1 Chronicles 29:18
O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֗ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱ֠לֹהֵי
God
H430
אֱ֠לֹהֵי
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙
and of Israel
H3478
וְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙
and of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ
our fathers
H1
אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ
our fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
שֳׁמְרָה
keep
H8104
שֳׁמְרָה
keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
לְעוֹלָ֔ם
this for ever
H5769
לְעוֹלָ֔ם
this for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
לְיֵ֥צֶר
in the imagination
H3336
לְיֵ֥צֶר
in the imagination
Strong's:
H3336
Word #:
10 of 16
a form; figuratively, conception (i.e., purpose)
מַחְשְׁב֖וֹת
of the thoughts
H4284
מַחְשְׁב֖וֹת
of the thoughts
Strong's:
H4284
Word #:
11 of 16
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
עַמֶּ֑ךָ
of thy people
H5971
עַמֶּ֑ךָ
of thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
13 of 16
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְהָכֵ֥ן
and prepare
H3559
וְהָכֵ֥ן
and prepare
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
Cross References
Jeremiah 32:39And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:Jeremiah 10:23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.Hebrews 13:21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Psalms 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.Psalms 119:113I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.Psalms 10:17LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:1 Chronicles 28:9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.1 Thessalonians 3:11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
Historical Context
Praying immediately after the people's generous response (29:9), David wisely recognized that present enthusiasm needed divine preservation. Human hearts naturally drift from God, requiring continual divine work to maintain devotion.
Questions for Reflection
- What in your thought-life and heart inclinations needs God's preserving and preparing work?
- How can you cooperate with God's work to 'prepare your heart' for worship and service?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
David's prayer: 'O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee.' The invocation of patriarchal names grounds the prayer in covenant history. The request to 'keep... in the imagination of thoughts' (yetzer machshevot levav) asks God to preserve right inclinations in people's hearts. David recognizes that external preparations (temple materials) mean nothing without internal preparation ('prepare their heart unto thee'). This teaches that only God can prepare hearts for true worship, anticipating the new covenant promise of transformed hearts (Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:26).