Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

1 CHRONICLES 16:23KJV
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1 Chronicles 16:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 16:23 mean?

1 Chronicles 16:23 calls on everyone in the world to sing to the LORD and to announce his salvation every day. The verse encourages a continual, public celebration of what God has done, not just for a single group but for all the earth.

This verse is part of a song led by King David after the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. David is speaking to the gathered people of Israel, inviting them—and by extension, all nations—to join in praising God. The focus is on making God’s saving acts known daily, highlighting both joy and a sense of mission.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 16:23

  • "Sing" (שִׁירוּ, shiru) means to sing or make music. Here, it is a command directed to everyone, not just a select group, showing the universal call to worship.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH) is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing a relationship with the God of Israel.
  • "Earth" (אֶרֶץ, erets) refers to the whole world, not just the land of Israel, underlining the global scope of the invitation.
  • "Forth" (בַּשֵּׂרוּ, baseru) is from a word that means to bring good news or proclaim. It carries the idea of announcing something joyful, like a herald.
  • "Day" (יוֹם, yom) is repeated twice, stressing the ongoing, daily nature of this proclamation.
  • "Salvation" (יְשׁוּעָתוֹ, yeshuato) means deliverance or rescue, referring to God’s acts of saving his people.

Why 1 Chronicles 16:23 matters

  • This verse makes it clear that worship and sharing about God’s salvation are not limited to one nation or one time, but are meant for all people and for every day.
  • The emphasis on "singing" and "proclaiming" highlights both the joy of worship and the importance of telling others about what God has done.
  • In its context, this verse is part of a larger psalm that celebrates God’s faithfulness and invites the whole world to recognize his greatness, connecting Israel’s story to a broader, global purpose.

Where else these words appear

“forth” Hebrew H1319 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Samuel 4:17 And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
  • 2 Samuel 18:26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
  • Isaiah 40:9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

“salvation” Hebrew H3444 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 49:18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.
  • Psalms 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
  • Psalms 119:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

“Sing” Hebrew H7891 · used in 79 verses

  • Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
  • Ezra 10:24 Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
  • Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.