Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.

1 CHRONICLES 16:32KJV
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1 Chronicles 16:32 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 16:32 mean?

1 Chronicles 16:32 describes all of creation—specifically the sea and the fields—responding with joy and celebration. The verse pictures nature itself as participating in praise, with the sea roaring and the fields rejoicing along with everything in them.

This verse is part of a song of thanks led by King David after the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. David is speaking to the gathered people of Israel, inviting not just humans but all creation to join in worshiping God. The language uses vivid imagery to show that God’s greatness is so vast that even the natural world is caught up in joyful response.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 16:32

  • sea (יָם, yam): This word refers to the great body of water, often understood as the sea or ocean. Here, it represents the vastness and power of creation joining in praise.
  • roar (רָנַן, ra‘an): This verb means to make a loud, joyful noise. The verse imagines the sea not just making noise, but actively celebrating.
  • fulness (מְלוֹא, melo’): This word means everything contained within something. The phrase “the fulness thereof” emphasizes that not just the sea itself, but all that is in it, is included in this act of praise.
  • fields (שָׂדֶה, sadeh): This refers to open land or countryside, representing the productive, life-filled parts of creation.
  • rejoice (עָלַץ, ‘alats): This verb means to exult or be exceedingly glad. The fields are pictured as full of joy, not just passively existing.

Why 1 Chronicles 16:32 matters

  • This verse helps correct the idea that worship is only for people; it shows that all creation is pictured as responding to God’s greatness.
  • The verse is part of a larger song that connects God’s actions in Israel’s history to His rule over all the earth, emphasizing the universal scope of God’s reign.
  • The vivid imagery of nature celebrating helps readers see worship as something joyful and expansive, not limited to formal or human-centered expressions.

Where else these words appear

“rejoice” Hebrew H5970 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
  • Psalms 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
  • Psalms 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

“roar” Hebrew H7481 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
  • Job 37:4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
  • Psalms 29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.

“fulness” Hebrew H4393 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
  • 1 Samuel 28:20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
  • Isaiah 31:4 For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.