1 Chronicles 16

Sacrifice as a similitude of Christ

So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. 1 Chronicles 16:1–2

When the ark arrives, the people offer burnt and peace offerings, and David blesses them in the LORD's name. From Adam onward, sacrifice was 'a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten', pointing to Christ's Atonement, the source of true peace with God.

• interpreted by Moses 5:6-7 — An angel tells Adam that sacrifice is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.
• a parallel account in 2 Samuel 6:17-18 — The same offerings and blessing.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name of the God of Israel, the premortal Jesus Christ

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 1 Chronicles 16:8–12

The psalm tells Israel to call on the LORD's holy name and tell His wondrous works. The name they praise is Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ, the only name under heaven by which people are saved.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• a parallel account in Psalm 105:1-5 — The same opening of praise in the Psalter.

Jehovah

He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 1 Chronicles 16:14–18

The LORD is the God who made the covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Latter-day Saints know from Abraham's own record that this covenant-making God is Jehovah, the premortal Christ.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• a parallel account in Psalm 105:7-11 — The same covenant verses in the Psalter.
• alludes to Abraham 2:8 — 'My name is Jehovah' — the God who covenants with Abraham names Himself.

Savior

Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. 1 Chronicles 16:23

All the earth is invited to announce the LORD's salvation every day. The name Jesus (Yeshua) means 'Jehovah saves', so His salvation is the heart of the gospel message.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• a parallel account in Psalm 96:1-2 — The same call to sing and show forth His salvation.

Creation by Christ

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. 1 Chronicles 16:25–26

Idols are nothing, but the LORD made the heavens. Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ, as Jehovah, created the heavens and the earth under the Father's direction.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• a parallel account in Psalm 96:4-5 — The same contrast of idols and the Creator.

Second Coming

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. 1 Chronicles 16:31–33

The psalm looks ahead to a day when the LORD reigns over the nations and 'cometh to judge the earth,' and all creation rejoices at His presence. Latter-day Saints read this as Christ's Second Coming and millennial reign, since all judgment has been given to the Son.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Psalm 96:10-13 — The same prophecy of the LORD coming to judge the earth.
• interpreted by John 5:22 — The Father has committed all judgment unto the Son, so the coming Judge is Christ.

Savior

And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. 1 Chronicles 16:35–36

Israel cries to the 'God of our salvation' to save and gather them. The God of Israel who saves and gathers is Jehovah, who came as Jesus Christ the Savior and gathers scattered Israel.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• a parallel account in Psalm 106:47-48 — The same closing plea and blessing in the Psalter.

Sacrifice as a similitude of Christ

To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel; 1 Chronicles 16:40

Zadok's priests offer the daily morning and evening lambs as the law requires. The unceasing offering pointed Israel every day toward the Lamb of God, whose one sacrifice the law of Moses foreshadowed.

• alludes to Exodus 29:38-42 — The law of the continual burnt offering of two lambs, morning and evening.
• interpreted by Alma 34:14 — The whole meaning of the law points to the great and last sacrifice, the Son of God.