1 Chronicles 29:20
And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.
Original Language Analysis
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וַיְבָרֲכ֣וּ
Now bless
H1288
וַיְבָרֲכ֣וּ
Now bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
5 of 19
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
נָ֖א
H4994
נָ֖א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
6 of 19
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 19
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
וַיְבָרֲכ֣וּ
Now bless
H1288
וַיְבָרֲכ֣וּ
Now bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
10 of 19
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
כָֽל
H3605
כָֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 19
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
אֲבֹֽתֵיהֶ֔ם
of their fathers
H1
אֲבֹֽתֵיהֶ֔ם
of their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
15 of 19
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וַיִּקְּד֧וּ
and bowed down their heads
H6915
וַיִּקְּד֧וּ
and bowed down their heads
Strong's:
H6915
Word #:
16 of 19
to shrivel up, i.e., contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֛וּ
and worshipped
H7812
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֛וּ
and worshipped
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
17 of 19
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
Historical Context
This corporate worship (c. 971 BCE) climaxed the assembly dedicating temple resources. The unified response - all congregation participating - demonstrated covenant community's heart alignment. True revival produces corporate worship, not merely individual piety.
Questions for Reflection
- How actively do you participate in corporate worship - are you a spectator or engaged worshiper?
- What does it look like to properly honor both God and God-appointed human authorities without confusing the two?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The assembly's response to David's prayer: 'And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.' This describes corporate worship - blessing God (barakh - to kneel/bless), bowing, and worshiping. The sequence shows proper worship: responding to God's character (blessing), humbling (bowing), and adoring (worshiping). Worshiping both LORD and king demonstrates the relationship between divine and human authority - honoring God-appointed leaders flows from honoring God. This anticipates the church's worship of Christ the King while respecting earthly authorities.