1 Chronicles 16:15
in 1 Chronicles 16Remember His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations—
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Remember his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations,
KJV
Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
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This verse in 1 Chronicles 16
Commentary
4 notes on this verseAs it has been supposed by some that the book of Psalms merely consists of hymns to God and sacred songs and that we shall look in vain in it for predictions and prophecies of the future, let us realize distinctly that it contains many prophecies, far too many to be quoted now, and it must suffice for proof of what Isaiah to make use of two psalms ascribed to Asaph, written in the time of David.
This site's exposition
Remember the wonders He has done
on 1 Chronicles 16:12-15
Verses 12 through 15 parallel Ps 105:5-8. Israel is to remember “the wonders He has done” and “the judgments He has pronounced”, and the singers address the “offspring of His servant Israel”. The covenant “for a thousand generations” leads into three verses that name Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in turn.
This site's exposition
Remember His covenant forever
The call to remember turns from the LORD's wonders in verse 12 to His covenant. A thousand generations means a reach without end. Eusebius of Caesarea cites the psalms ascribed to Asaph, written in David's time, to show that the Psalter holds prophecy along with its hymns.
The record, by era
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
The covenant is said to be commanded, because God has obliged us to obey the conditions of it, and because he has both authority to make the promise and ability to make it good. This covenant was ancient, yet never to be forgotten. It was made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were long since dead (
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
How the passage was read
What the Jewish commentators add
On the verses either side of this one
He is the Lord our God. Even though His judgments are throughout the earth, He is our God and we are His nation.
This section is reception history: how the passage was read and kept in the Jewish tradition. Where a reading parts from an essential of the Christian faith, the section says so at that point.
Texts and citation data: Sefaria; each excerpt follows its version’s licence. 5 further sources are cited on this chapter that carry no English text this site may quote or only restate the verse.
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| זִכְר֤וּ | zikhru | remember | H2142 → | 230 times |
| לְעוֹלָם֙ | leolam | for ever | H5769 → | 438 times |
| בְּרִית֔וֹ | berito | covenant his | H1285 → | 284 times |
| דָּבָ֥ר | davar | [the] word | H1697 → | 1440 times |
| צִוָּ֖ה | tzivah | [which] he commanded | H6680 → | 494 times |
| לְאֶ֥לֶף | leelef | for a thousand | H505 → | 505 times |
| דּֽוֹר׃ | dor | generation[s] | H1755 → |
זִכְר֤וּremember
zikhruH2142 →230 times
לְעוֹלָם֙for ever
leolamH5769 →438 times
בְּרִית֔וֹcovenant his
beritoH1285 →284 times
דָּבָ֥ר[the] word
davarH1697 →1440 times
צִוָּ֖ה[which] he commanded
tzivahH6680 →494 times
לְאֶ֥לֶףfor a thousand
leelefH505 →505 times
דּֽוֹר׃generation[s]
dorH1755 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Deuteronomy 7:9Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.
it leads to
- Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
- 2 Timothy 2:13
if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
- Daniel 9:4
And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments,
- 1 Corinthians 1:9
God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
- Hebrews 10:23
Through
Psalms 25:10All the LORD’s ways are loving and faithful to those who keep His covenant and His decrees.
it leads to
- James 5:11
See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
- Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- Psalms 40:11
O LORD, do not withhold Your mercy from me; Your loving devotion and faithfulness will always guard me.
- James 5:11
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies2
About 1 Chronicles
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Eusebius of Caesarea, PROOF OF THE GOSPEL 10.1; Keil, The Books of the Chronicles and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.