Some Greek manuscripts of the Lord’s Prayer in the Gospel of Matthew end with the words “For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever” (see Matt 6.13); probably these words were added to the Lord’s Prayer by a scribe under the influence of this verse here in 1 Chronicles.

Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: Glory translates a Hebrew noun that may also be rendered “radiance” or “beauty.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “splendor.” The Hebrew noun rendered victory has two or three basic senses, and may be translated “glory,” “lastingness” or “success,” depending on the context. The Septuagint here translates this noun as “victory,” and the context certainly allows this. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh similarly has “triumph.” Here it is also possible to find the sense of “everlastingness,” that is, God’s majesty and glory have no end. Following this interpretation, New Jerusalem Bible says “length of days,” but such a translation cannot be recommended as an example of clarity. Since there is no verb here in the Hebrew text, Revised Standard Version supplies the verb is, which is clearly understood. But some languages may require that the abstract nouns greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty be rendered as adjectives by saying “LORD, you are great and powerful. You are glorious, victorious, and majestic” (similarly New Century Version).

For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine: The Hebrew word translated for may be understood here as an emphatic particle rather than as a logical connector, so it may be rendered “indeed” (Knoppers, Klein). An alternative model for this clause is “Indeed, everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you” (similarly New Century Version).

Thine is the kingdom may be rendered simply “you are king” (Good News Translation).

And thou art exalted as head above all: The Hebrew syntax for this clause is difficult, so it is hard to understand. But nearly all versions agree with the meaning expressed in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Thou art exalted translates a Hebrew participle meaning “the one raising oneself.” Most translations do not keep this reflexive form, but American Bible does with “and you have exalted yourself as head over all.” New Living Translation uses an active expression, saying “We adore you as the one who is over all things.” Another possible model is “you are the great ruler high above all things.”

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 .