1 Chronicles 16:25
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse doesn't just say God is great; it emphasizes that His greatness calls for great praise from us in return. And that radical praise is directly linked to the fact that He's to be feared far beyond any created thing, a truth that sets the stage for all true worship.
David has just brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem with a grand celebration and appointed musicians to lead worship. This verse is part of a psalm David composed for the occasion, emphasizing God's supreme power and worthiness of worship as the Ark, a symbol of His presence, is finally home. The surrounding verses continue this theme, calling all nations to worship the LORD as the true sovereign.
We often talk about great people, great moments, and great things. But what does it truly mean for God to be great?
This verse opens with a powerful declaration: "For great is the LORD." This isn't just a statement of size or power; it speaks to God's inherent worth, His supreme excellence, and His absolute uniqueness. His greatness is not comparable to anything else. It's the foundation upon which all His other attributes rest.
When we acknowledge God's greatness, it means recognizing Him as the ultimate source of all that is good, true, and beautiful. It means understanding that He stands alone, incomparable and supreme, in His being and His actions.
The text doesn't just say God is great; it tells us how we should respond to that greatness. What does it mean to praise Him 'greatly'?
The second part of the verse, "and greatly to be praised," is a direct response to His greatness. It's not enough to acknowledge that God is great; our worship and praise should reflect the magnitude of His worth. Praising Him 'greatly' means offering Him our most fervent, devoted, and abundant adoration.
This isn't about a performative or casual worship. It's about pouring out our whole hearts in recognition of His supreme value. It’s about aligning our affections and our expressions with His true and majestic nature.
The word 'fear' in the Bible can sound scary, but here it's linked to God's supreme worth. What does it mean to fear God 'above all gods'?
The verse concludes with a crucial command: "and he is to be feared above all gods." This 'fear' isn't terror or dread. It's a deep sense of awe, reverence, and respect for God's absolute sovereignty and holiness. It's recognizing His ultimate authority and power, which rightly commands our deepest devotion.
When we fear the Lord 'above all gods' – including any idols we might have (like money, status, or even our own opinions) – we place Him in His rightful supreme position in our lives. This fear protects us from misplaced trust and leads us to obedience out of profound respect for who He is.
Understand the original words
yare · Hebrew Verb
The Hebrew word 'yare' conveys a sense of reverent awe, profound respect, and trembling adoration. It is the appropriate response of a creature to the holiness, majesty, and power of the Creator.
This passage is virtually identical, showing the ancient understanding of God's unique greatness and worthiness of praise above all other 'gods' or powers.
Psalm 145:3It echoes the sentiment that the Lord is indeed great and deserves abundant praise, highlighting His incomparable majesty.
Isaiah 43:10This verse emphasizes that before God, no other god was formed, nor will any be after Him, reinforcing the singular nature of His greatness and authority.
Philippians 2:9-11This New Testament passage speaks of Christ being exalted above all names, and that every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus is Lord, reflecting the same idea of supreme sovereignty and worship due to God.
This verse doesn't just say God is great; it emphasizes that His greatness calls for great praise from us in return. And that radical praise is directly linked to the fact that He's to be feared far beyond any created thing, a truth that sets the stage for all true worship.
David has just brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem with a grand celebration and appointed musicians to lead worship. This verse is part of a psalm David composed for the occasion, emphasizing God's supreme power and worthiness of worship as the Ark, a symbol of His presence, is finally home. The surrounding verses continue this theme, calling all nations to worship the LORD as the true sovereign.
David has just brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem with a grand celebration and appointed musicians to lead worship. This verse is part of a psalm David composed for the occasion, emphasizing God's supreme power and worthiness of worship as the Ark, a symbol of His presence, is finally home. The surrounding verses continue this theme, calling all nations to worship the LORD as the true sovereign.
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"For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods." — This verse doesn't just say God is great; it emphasizes that His greatness calls for great praise from us in return. And that radical praise is directly linked to the fact that He's to be feared fa…
