Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. – 1 Chronicles 16:29

According to Jewish tradition, the Books of Chronicles were originally part of a larger work that included the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Some scholars believe these final books of the Hebrew Bible were written by Ezra around 430 BC, but others say that this once unitary history of Israel from Adam to the 4th century is the work of a single, anonymous chronicler. Nevertheless, the Chronicles list genealogies from Adam to King Saul, and cover the reigns of David and Solomon through to the end of the Babylonian Exile.

First Chronicles 16:7-36 contains David’s Song of Praise, with many parallels to the Psalms. In fact, verse 29 parallels Psalm 29:2. It tells us how we are to worship God, not only as a congregation but in our daily lives. When we worship God, we are responding to what He has done, all He is doing, and Who He is.

This verse can be divided into three instructions. First, give credit to God as the Creator of the earth, the universe, and all that is. He is holy and our worship should reflect His holiness. Second, it is important to bring our offerings and tithes, but what is even more important and more pleasing to God is to bring ourselves—our lives—as an offering. Serving God is our gift to Him. Third, we worship, bow down, even tremble. Our worship should mirror heavenly worship as described in Revelation 4:4-11 and 5:12-14 where it says that the 24 elders fell down before him, cast their crowns before the throne and worshiped, singing a new song.

We can never fully understand the splendor of His holiness, but we can realize that we are poor sinners, unworthy yet invited, to the high privilege of worshiping our Savior and Lord. Think about how we ascribe Him the glory due His name.

  • Do I limit my worship of God to one hour on Sunday morning or do I worship Him in my daily life, making Him an integral part of it?
  • When I come to church angry do I leave angry, or do I give it up to the Lord and leave with joy in my heart?
  • Do I come to church for entertainment and social connections, or to worship and listen to God?
  • Am I uplifted after worship from being in His presence?

God’s true throne is in our hearts. When we acknowledge Him as our Savior, and Lord over our lives, true worship happens.

by Elder Lynn Heinold