Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.

1 CHRONICLES 16:33KJV
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1 Chronicles 16:33 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 16:33 mean?

1 Chronicles 16:33 describes all the trees in the forest celebrating when the LORD appears, because He is coming to judge the earth. The verse uses the image of nature itself rejoicing at God’s arrival as a righteous judge over the world.

This verse is part of a song of praise led by King David after the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. The people are being called to worship, and the song pictures the whole creation joining in. The idea is that God’s rule brings justice, and even the natural world responds with joy when He comes to set things right.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 16:33

  • "trees" (עֵץ, `ets): This word means trees in general, emphasizing the idea of the whole forest, not just one tree, joining in praise.
  • "sing out" (רָנַן, ranan): This word often means to shout for joy or sing loudly, showing that the celebration is vibrant and not quiet or subdued.
  • "presence" (פָּנִים, panim): This word literally means "face," and here it refers to God’s personal presence, highlighting that God Himself is arriving, not just sending a message.
  • "judge" (שָׁפַט, shaphat): This word means to govern or rule as a judge, suggesting not just punishment but the act of setting things right and bringing justice.

Why 1 Chronicles 16:33 matters

  • The verse shows that God’s judgment is something to celebrate, not fear, because it means justice and goodness will prevail.
  • By picturing the trees singing, the verse connects human worship with the wider creation, showing that all of nature is involved in God’s story.
  • This verse is part of a larger passage where David leads the people in worship, emphasizing that God’s presence and rule are reasons for joy and hope for everyone, not just Israel.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H7442 · used in 52 verses

  • Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
  • Psalms 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
  • Isaiah 24:14 They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.

“wood” Hebrew H3293 · used in 58 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
  • Psalms 96:12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
  • Isaiah 56:9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.