I Chronicles 16:10 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 16:10 Commentary: On Glorifying God's Holy Name
Hebrew · 4 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
A study of 1 Chronicles 16:10: what it means to boast in God's holy name and how seeking Yahweh leads to rejoicing.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Boast in God's holy name; continuous seeking leads to joy.
- Key words: hit'halelu (boast), shem (name), qodesh (holiness), yismach (rejoice), lev (heart), mevakshei (seek), Yahweh.
- Main debate: Whether 'glory' means verbal praise or a deeper boasting of the heart; some see a variant reading 'Word of the Lord.'
- Theological theme: The holiness of God's name and the joy arising from covenant pursuit of Him.
- Best use: A call to worship and a promise to those who seek God earnestly.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.
KJV King James Version 1769
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Glory ye in his holy name; Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Boast yourselves in His holy name, Rejoice doth the heart of those seeking Jehovah.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Glory in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Praise ye his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice, that seek the Lord.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Gloriaos en su santo nombre; alégrese el corazón de los que buscan á Jehová.
Gloriai-vos em seu santo nome; alegre-se o coração dos que buscam ao SENHOR.
Glorifiez-vous de son saint nom!
Rühmet seinen heiligen Namen; es freue sich das Herz derer, die den HERRN suchen!
Roemt u in den Naam Zijner heiligheid; dat zich het hart dergenen, die den HEERE zoeken, verblijde.
Gloriatevi nel santo suo nome; si rallegri il cuore di quelli che cercano l’Eterno!
Chlubcie się w imieniu świętem jego, a niech się rozraduje serce szukających Pana.
хвалитесь именем Его святым; да веселится сердце ищущих Господа;
要以他的聖 名 誇耀；尋求 耶和華的人，心 中應當歡喜。
Have glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who are searching after the Lord be glad.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 16:10
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree this verse summons God's people to take their glory in Yahweh alone. Matthew Henry frames it as part of David's psalm of praise, a call to rejoice in God's holiness and to seek Him continuously. The Geneva Bible notes see an invitation to rejoice in God's holy name, linking it to the wider call to give thanks and declare His deeds. Adam Clarke draws attention to a variant reading, noting that some sources read 'the Word of the Lord' instead of 'the Lord,' a point that connects this verse to Christological interpretation. All agree that the heart's posture, boasting in God and seeking Him, is the path to joy.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: This verse calls God's people to boast in His holy name and promises that those who seek Him will have hearts that rejoice.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'glory' | It means to boast or take pride in God, not in self. | Some emphasize verbal praise ('praise ye'), others a more internal disposition of heart-confidence; the Hebrew verb allows both public acclamation and inner pride. |
| The relationship between seeking and rejoicing | Seeking God leads to joy; the heart rejoices when it seeks Him. | Whether joy is a guarantee that always follows seeking, or whether it can coexist with seasons of dryness; some see a conditional promise. |
| Object of our boasting | We boast in God's holy name, His character and revelation. | Does 'holy name' refer to God's ethical purity (apartness) or to His specific covenant name Yahweh? Both are intertwined, but different traditions emphasize one aspect. |
| Role of the heart | The heart is the center of motivation and desire. | Some traditions read 'heart' as the seat of emotion (joy), others as the will that chooses to seek; both are present in the Old Testament usage of <em>lev</em>. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse belongs to David's psalm of thanksgiving when the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16). It is part of a larger hymn compiled from Psalms 105, 96, and 106, sung by Asaph and his brothers as they ministered before the ark. The verb translated 'glory' is the Hebrew hit'halelu, a reflexive intensive form meaning 'boast yourselves.' In ancient Israel, such boasting was not private pride but a public, joyful declaration of God's character and deeds, often accompanied by hand-clapping and shouting, as Ellicott's commentary notes for similar passages. The phrase 'holy name' points to God's set-apartness and moral purity; His name encapsulates His reputation and self-revelation. The second half of the verse promises rejoicing to those who 'seek Yahweh', a continuous, active pursuit of God's presence and strength, not a single event. In the Chronicler's setting, the ark's arrival in Zion signified God's dwelling among His people, making the invitation to seek Him both urgent and hopeful. Cross-references reinforce this: 'If you seek him, he will be found by you' (1 Chronicles 28:9); 'Those who seek me diligently will find me' (Proverbs 8:17). Seeking God in the Old Testament includes prayer, obedience, and worship, all of which find their fulfillment in the covenant community.
Textual Notes
The Masoretic Text reads Yahweh at the end of the verse. Adam Clarke notes a variant in some manuscripts and versions that read 'the Word of the Lord' instead of 'the Lord,' which Christian interpreters have occasionally read as a reference to Christ. No major critical editions suggest a textual emendation; the reading 'Yahweh' is secure in the Hebrew tradition. The consonants YHWH are stable across witnesses.
Reception History
From the early Jewish recitation of this psalm at the dedication of the temple cult, to Christian liturgical use, this verse has been a call to authentic worship. Matthew Henry (1710) and the Geneva Bible (1599) both treat it as an invitation to rejoice in God alone. The variant reading 'Word of the Lord' influenced some patristic interpretations that saw Christ as the object of seeking. In hymnody, the verse has been set to music by composers of both the Reformed and Anglican traditions, echoing the joy of those who seek God's face.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Boast in God's holy name. The command to glory (boast) means we direct our pride and confidence toward who God is, His set-apart holiness and His faithful character.
- Seek Yahweh continually. Seeking is an ongoing pursuit, not a one-time decision; it requires turning to God in prayer, study, and obedience.
- Rejoice in the seeking. Joy is not a reward after the search but a gift that grows in the heart as we seek Him. The verse promises the heart will rejoice.
Five-point outline
- The command: glory in Him. Our boasting must be in the Lord, not in ourselves (compare Jeremiah 9:23-24).
- The object: His holy name. God's holiness sets Him apart; we take glory in His purity and majesty.
- The verb: seek. The Hebrew word implies dedication, to seek God's face, His strength, His presence.
- The heart's role: joy. Rejoicing is not an act of willpower but the natural fruit of a heart that seeks Him.
Illustration hooks
- Sports fandom. When we boast about our team, we feel a rush of pride and joy. This verse invites us to channel that same enthusiasm toward God's name, not as a distant figure, but as the source of all good.
- Job interview. We often seek success, approval, security. Seeking God is a different kind of search, not for what we can get, but for the Giver Himself, who promises joy in the process.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How do I boast in God's name without sounding arrogant or Pharisaical?
- What does it look like to seek God in daily life, during work, chores, relationships?
- If I feel no joy when I try to seek God, am I doing something wrong?
Leading a Discussion
This verse is a call to true worship. Before you study, ask each person to name something they boast about, a child, an achievement, a possession. Then read the verse aloud and consider what it means to turn that boasting toward God.
Discussion questions
- What do the words 'glory in his holy name' suggest about who God is and how we relate to Him?
- Why does the verse use the word 'glory' (or 'boast') instead of 'praise'? What difference does that make?
- The verse connects seeking the Lord with joy. Have you experienced this connection in your own life? Share an example if you're comfortable.
- Read the cross-references: 1 Chronicles 28:9, Proverbs 8:17, and Isaiah 55:6-7. What promises do they give to those who seek God?
- What are some practical ways we can 'seek God' in our daily routines, not just on Sunday?
- How does the context of the ark entering Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16) deepen our understanding of what it means to seek God's presence?
- If someone says 'I want to seek God but I don't feel joy,' what encouragement would you offer from this verse?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Chronicles 28:9 | You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. |
| Psalms 34:2 | My soul shall boast in Yahweh. The humble shall hear of it and be glad. |
| Proverbs 8:17 | I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. |
| Isaiah 45:19 | I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness. I didn’t say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, Yahweh, speak righteousness. I declare things that are right. |
| Isaiah 45:25 | All the offspring of Israel will be justified in Yahweh, and will rejoice! |
| Isaiah 55:6 | Seek Yahweh while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. |
| Isaiah 55:7 | Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him, to our God, for he will freely pardon. |
| Jeremiah 9:23 | Yahweh says, “Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom. Don’t let the mighty man glory in his might. Don’t let the rich man glory in his riches. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
4 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that some manuscripts read "seek the Word of the Lord" instead of "seek the Lord," equating the two. For him, the variation reinforces that seeking God is inseparably tied to seeking His revealed Word.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Reioyce in his holy Name: let the hearts of them that seeke the Lord reioyce.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues the psalm David gave to Asaph is an ideal composition, not a literal transcript. It combines passages from Psalms 96, 105, and 106 to create a probable song for the occasion. This, he contends, is no more a falsification than the songs of Mary, Zechariah, and Simeon in Luke.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that this psalm was composed for public worship, not private devotion, and that its core charge is to broadcast God's deeds among all nations, not just Israel. He highlights the progression from Israel's covenant memory to a universal call, urging every people to give God the glory due His name.