I Chronicles 16:13-18 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 16:13-18 Commentary: Remember His Covenant
Hebrew · 4 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine the psalmist's call to remember God's covenant with the patriarchs and its significance for Israel as God's chosen people.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A call to remember God's covenant with the patriarchs, emphasizing Israel's identity as servant and chosen, and the promise of the land.
- Key words: covenant (berith), remember (zakhar), chosen (bachir), statute (choq), inheritance (nachalah).
- Main debate: The relationship between the imperative 'remember' here and the perfect tense in Psalm 105:8; some see it as a call to action, others as an assurance of God's own remembering.
- Theological theme: God's covenant faithfulness and election; the continuity of His promises across generations.
- Best use: Teaching on God's faithfulness, Christian identity rooted in God's promises, and the continuity of salvation history.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
13O offspring of His servant Israel, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones.
14He is the LORD our God; His judgments carry throughout the earth.
15Remember His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations—
16the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac.
17He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
18‘I will give you the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.’
WEB World English Bible 2000
13you offspring of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14He is Yahweh our God. His judgments are in all the earth.
15Remember his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,
16the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac.
17He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18saying, “I will give you the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance,”
KJV King James Version 1769
13O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
15Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
16Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;
17And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
ASV American Standard Version 1901
13O ye seed of Israel his servant, Ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14He is Jehovah our God; His judgments are in all the earth.
15Remember his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations,
16The covenantwhich he made with Abraham, And his oath unto Isaac,
17And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance;
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
13O seed of Israel, His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
14He is Jehovah our God, In all the earth are His judgments.
15Remember ye to the age His covenant, The word He commanded--To a thousand generations,
16Which He hath made with Abraham, And His oath--to Isaac,
17And He establisheth it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel--a covenant age-during.
18Saying: To thee I give the land of Canaan, The portion of your inheritance,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
13Ye seed of Israel his servant, Ye sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14He, Jehovah, is our God; His judgments are in all the earth.
15Be ye ever mindful of his covenant, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations, —
16Which he made with Abraham, And of his oath unto Isaac;
17And he confirmed it unto Jacob for a statute, Unto Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance;
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
13O ye seed of Israel his servants, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
14He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
15Remember for ever his covenant: the word, which he commanded to a thousand generations.
16The covenant which he made with Abraham: and his oath to Isaac.
17And he appointed the same to Jacob for a precept: and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
18Saying: To thee will I give the land of Chanaan: the lot of your inheritance.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 16:13
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 that 1 Chronicles 16:13-18 functions as a liturgical call to remember the covenant, drawing on Psalm 105:8-11 (Cambridge Bible). The address to Israel as 'offspring of his servant' and 'his chosen ones' captures two dimensions of their relationship to God: they are both called to humble service and set apart by divine election (Geneva Notes). Matthew Henry situates this within David's psalm of praise at the installation of the ark, a moment of national thanksgiving. Lange's Commentary includes it in a larger hymn celebrating God's sovereignty and faithfulness. The core of the passage is the rehearsal of the covenant made with Abraham, sworn to Isaac, and confirmed to Jacob as an everlasting statute (vv.16-17), culminating in the promise of the land of Canaan as a measured inheritance (v.18). The Hebrew word for 'lot' (חֶבֶל, chevel) indicates a portion determined by line, not by chance (Cambridge Bible). The imperative 'remember' (zakhar) calls the congregation to actively hold God's word in mind, not as mere recollection but as a faithful response that shapes identity and hope.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The psalmist calls Israel to remember God's covenant with the patriarchs, which is characterized by God's faithfulness and the promise of the land as an inheritance.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Address as 'offspring of his servant' and 'his chosen ones' | Both terms affirm Israel's unique relationship with God, they are called to serve and are divinely chosen. | Some emphasize 'servant' as a title of humility and submission; others see it as a position of honor and privilege. |
| Nature of the covenant as a 'statute' | The covenant is a binding divine decree, established by God's authority. | Some interpret 'statute' as implying conditional obligations for Israel; others stress the unconditional, promissory character of the covenant. |
| Promise of the land of Canaan | The land is a central element of the covenant, given as an inheritance to Israel. | Some read it as a literal earthly territory; others see it as a typological pointer to a heavenly inheritance, especially in Christian interpretation. |
| Application for Christians | The passage demonstrates God's faithfulness in keeping promises across generations. | Some see the covenant as fully continued in the Church; others emphasize discontinuity and the new covenant in Christ, reading the land promise as fulfilled in Christ's global reign. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage belongs to David's psalm of thanksgiving when the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:7). The ark had been in Kiriath-jearim for decades; David's successful transfer to the city of David marked a new era of centralized worship and national unity. The surrounding verses (9-12) call for singing, seeking God, and remembering His wonders. The psalm, adapted from Psalm 105:8-11, became part of Israel's liturgical repertoire, sung before the ark at the tent in Jerusalem (v.37).
The covenant references trace the patriarchal history: God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 17:7), His oath to Isaac (Genesis 26:3), and the confirmation to Jacob (Genesis 35:12). The term 'statute' (חֹק, choq) presents the covenant as a binding decree, akin to a royal edict. 'Everlasting covenant' (בְּרִית עוֹלָם) underscores its perpetual nature. The promise of 'the land of Canaan' is the tangible legacy for a people who were once 'few in number, even few, and strangers' there (v.19). Israel's identity as 'his chosen ones' (בְּחִירָיו) echoes Deuteronomy 7:6, where they are a holy people set apart for God's possession. This setting, a newly established worship center, the ark at rest, and the congregation called to praise, makes the covenant remembrance a foundational act of faith. The land is not just territory; it is the 'lot of your inheritance' (חֶבֶל נַחֲלַתְכֶם), a portion divinely measured and given.
Textual Notes
The text of 1 Chronicles 16:13-18 closely parallels Psalm 105:8-11, with the most notable difference being the verb 'remember' (זִכְרוּ, imperative) in Chronicles, while Psalm 105:8 reads 'he has remembered' (perfect). This variation likely reflects the liturgical adaptation of the psalm for a congregational call to remembrance. The consulted sources note no other significant variants; the passage is textually stable across manuscripts.
Reception History
This passage has been received as a foundational confession of God's covenant faithfulness. In Jewish tradition, the mention of the patriarchs and the promise of land echoes in the liturgy of the festivals, especially Pentecost (Shavuot), which celebrates the covenant at Sinai. In Christian tradition, interpreters have read the land promise as a type of the eternal inheritance of believers. The call to 'remember' has been used in catechetical contexts to teach the history of salvation. The passage also influenced Reformation-era emphases on covenant theology, where God's promise to Abraham is seen as the basis for both old and new covenant peoples. Throughout church history, this text reminds readers that God binds Himself to generations, and His promises endure.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Our Identity: Servants and Chosen Ones (vv.13-14). The psalmist calls Israel 'offspring of his servant' and 'his chosen ones.' This double title grounds our identity in both humble service and sovereign election. We are chosen to serve, and our service flows from being chosen.
- Our Duty: Remember the Covenant (vv.15-17). The imperative 'remember' calls for active, deliberate recollection of God's covenant. This is not passive nostalgia but a commitment that shapes how we live. The covenant was made with Abraham, sworn to Isaac, and confirmed to Jacob as a lasting statute.
- Our Hope: The Inheritance Promised (v.18). The covenant culminates in the promise of Canaan, a measured portion of land. This material gift points to God's faithful provision. For later readers, it also foreshadows a greater inheritance in the renewed creation.
Five-point outline
- The Address (v.13). 'You offspring of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones', the congregation is named in terms of both responsibility and privilege.
- The Confession (v.14). 'He is Yahweh our God. His judgments are in all the earth.' Acknowledging God's sovereignty over every nation sets the stage for covenant faithfulness.
- The Command (vv.15-16). 'Remember his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.' The call to remember extends to the future and is rooted in God's command.
- The History (vv.16-17). Tracing the covenant from Abraham through Isaac to Jacob anchors the present community in God's past acts of promise and fidelity.
- The Promise (v.18). 'I will give you the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance.' The land is the concrete sign of God's covenantal faithfulness, a gift that sustains the people.
Illustration hooks
- A family Bible with a handwritten covenant promise page, passed down from grandparents, continually read at gatherings to remind everyone of their heritage and calling.
- A boundary marker on a property that has been in the same family for generations, representing the enduring claim and provision of the original grant.
- A wedding anniversary when a couple returns to the words of their vows, reaffirming their commitment despite the years that have passed.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How do we keep God's promises at the front of our minds when daily life presses in?
- What does it mean for us, as Christians, to be 'chosen' by God? Does it exclude others?
- How does the Old Testament promise of land relate to our hope in Christ and the new earth?
Leading a Discussion
This passage calls the community to remember the covenant that defines them. It moves from identity to memory to promise. As you discuss, consider how your own story fits into God's larger story of faithfulness.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What names and titles does the psalmist use for God and for Israel? What do these reveal about their relationship?
- Observation: What specific actions is the congregation commanded to take? How does the language of 'remember' function here?
- Interpretation: Why does the psalmist trace the covenant through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? What does this emphasize about God's character?
- Interpretation: The covenant is called both a 'statute' and an 'everlasting covenant.' How do these terms differ, and what do they together teach about God's promises?
- Interpretation: What is the significance of the land of Canaan as 'the lot of your inheritance'? How does the word 'lot' (chevel) shape our understanding?
- Application: How can we actively 'remember' God's covenant in our personal and corporate worship?
- Application: In what ways does this passage encourage you to trust God's faithfulness even when circumstances change?
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)
| Genesis 17:7 | I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your offspring after you. |
| Genesis 28:13 | Behold, Yahweh stood above it, and said, “I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. I will give the land you lie on to you and to your offspring. |
| Genesis 28:14 | Your offspring will be as the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. In you and in your offspring, all the families of the earth will be blessed. |
| Genesis 35:10 | God said to him, “Your name is Jacob. Your name shall not be Jacob any more, but your name will be Israel.” He named him Israel. |
| Genesis 35:12 | The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, and to your offspring after you I will give the land.” |
| Exodus 19:5 | Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; |
| Exodus 19:6 | and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” |
| Deuteronomy 7:6 | For you are a holy people to Yahweh your God. Yahweh your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth. |
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
3 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Cambridge Bible Schools corrects the reading of this verse based on the parallel in Psalm 105:8, replacing Be ye mindful with He hath remembered. It also notes that the Hebrew word for lot means a measured portion, not one assigned by chance. This inheritance spans all of Canaan, reflecting God's grant to Israel.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva notes stress that God's covenant promise is absolutely certain, binding Himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants as a lasting law. This oath secures the land of Canaan as a permanent inheritance, a guarantee that cannot be broken across all generations.
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.