Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 16:34

Verses 34-36 are parallel to Psa 106.1, 47-48. It is better to have a stanza break here (so Good News Translation) rather than at the next verse (so Revised Standard Version).

O give thanks to the LORD: As previously in this chapter, the vocative O has no equivalent in the Hebrew and may be omitted in translation.

For he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever!: These words of praise appear frequently in the Old Testament (2 Chr 5.13; 7.3; Ezra 3.11; Psa 100.5; 106.1; 107.1; 118.1; 136.1; Jer 33.11). Steadfast love translates the Hebrew noun chesed. This word includes the ideas of love and “devotion” (American Bible), and faithfulness to a promise or a covenant. When it is used to describe God, its emphasis is on God’s faithfulness to his covenant with his people, his promise to be their God always and to protect them and take care of them. So Berkeley translates this noun as “covenant love.” Some other possible translations are “kindness” (New American Bible), “loyalty” (Klein), “benevolence” (Nouvelle version Segond révisée) and “faithful love” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

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