He appointed some of the Levites to minister before Yahweh’s ark, and to commemorate, to thank, and to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud; with Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.
Show the surrounding paragraph
1 Chronicles 16:4-6 sits inside this longer paragraph.
They brought in God’s ark, and set it in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in Yahweh’s name. He gave to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. He appointed some of the Levites to minister before Yahweh’s ark, and to commemorate, to thank, and to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud; with Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.
Parallel Translations
-
He appointed some of the Levites to minister before Yahweh’s ark, and to commemorate, to thank, and to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel:
Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;
with Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.
-
And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:
Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.
Show all 3 translations
-
And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to celebrate and to thank and praise the LORD, the God of Israel:
Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, with psalteries and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;
and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.
Cross-references (26)
- 1 Chronicles 6:39 (v5) His brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
- 1 Chronicles 24:3 (v4) David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their ordering in their service.
- 2 Chronicles 29:26-28 (v6) The Levites stood with David’s instruments, and the priests with the trumpets. Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the…
- Psalms 72:18 (v4) Praise be to Yahweh God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
- Psalms 103:2 (v4) Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits,
Show all 26 cross-references
- Psalms 105:5 (v4) Remember his marvelous works that he has done: his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
- Psalms 106:48 (v4) Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise Yah!
- Genesis 17:7 (v4) I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to…
- Genesis 32:28 (v4) He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
- Genesis 33:20 (v4) He erected an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel.
- Numbers 10:8 (v6) “The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. This shall be to you for a statute forever throughout your generations.
- Numbers 18:1-6 (v4) Yahweh said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your fathers’ house with you shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary; and you and your sons…
- 1 Kings 8:15 (v4) He said, “Blessed is Yahweh, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David your father, and has with his hand fulfilled it, saying,
- 1 Chronicles 15:16 (v4) David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers with instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and…
- 1 Chronicles 15:16-24 (v5) David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers with instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and…
- 1 Chronicles 16:8 (v4) Oh give thanks to Yahweh. Call on his name. Make what he has done known among the peoples.
- 1 Chronicles 16:37-42 (v4) So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work…
- 1 Chronicles 23:2-6 (v4) He gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. The Levites were counted from thirty years old and…
- 1 Chronicles 23:27-32 (v4) For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were counted, from twenty years old and upward. For their office was to wait on the sons of…
- 1 Chronicles 25:1-6 (v5) Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who…
- 2 Chronicles 5:12-13 (v6) also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arrayed in fine linen,…
- 2 Chronicles 13:12 (v6) Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound an alarm against you. Children of Israel, don’t…
- 2 Chronicles 29:25 (v5) He set the Levites in Yahweh’s house with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad…
- Psalms 37:1 (v4) Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
- Psalms 70:1 (v4) Hurry, God, to deliver me. Come quickly to help me, Yahweh.
- Isaiah 62:6-7 (v4) I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. They will never be silent day nor night. You who call on Yahweh, take no rest, and give him…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v4 To wit, God’s benefits toward his people.
To wit, God’s benefits toward his people.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv4–6 1Ch 16:4 And he appointed [certain] of the Levites…
1Ch 16:4 And he appointed [certain] of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:
Ver. 4. And to record.] Or, To declare and publish.
Read full note →
And to thank and praise.] God is good, and so is the object of praise. He also doeth good, and so is the object of thanks.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv4–6 Asaph the chief,.... Of those that were now appointed:…
Asaph the chief,.... Of those that were now appointed: otherwise, of the three principal singers, Heman was the chief, and Asaph next, Ch1 6:33.
and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, with psalteries, and with harps; to play upon them before the ark at the same time the psalms and songs were vocally sung; the above persons are such as are named before, Ch1 15:18,
Read full note →
but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; he struck and played upon them, see Ch1 15:19.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v4 To thank, and praise - All our rejoicings should…
To thank, and praise - All our rejoicings should express themselves in thanksgivings to him, from whom all our comforts are received.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v5 Verse 5. Asaph] See the preceding chapter, 1Ch 15:17,…
Verse 5. Asaph] See the preceding chapter, 1Ch 15:17, &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v4 1Ch 16:4. To record, and to thank and praise…
1Ch 16:4. To record, and to thank and praise the Lord, &c. — To rehearse and declare unto the people the wonderful works God had done for Israel, and to give him thanks for them, and to extol his almighty goodness and his glorious perfections. All our rejoicings should express themselves in thanksgivings to him from whom all our comforts are received.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v4 This passage is interposed by the writer of Chronicles…
This passage is interposed by the writer of Chronicles between two sentences of the parallel passage in Samuel. It contains a detailed account of the service which David instituted at this time, a service out of which grew the more elaborate service of the temple. The language of much of the passage is remarkably archaic, and there can be no reasonable doubt that it is in the main an extract from a record of the time of David.
1Ch 16:5
Read full note →
The occurrence of the name “Jeiel” twice in this list is considered suspicious. Hence, the first “Jeiel” is thought to be a corrupt reading for “Aziel” 1Ch 15:20, or “Jaaziel” 1Ch 15:18.
1Ch 16:8
The Psalm here put before us by the Chronicler, as sung liturgically by Asaph and his brethren on the day of the ark’s entrance into Jerusalem, accords closely with the passages in the present Book of Psalms noted in the marg reff.
It is, apparently, a thanksgiving service composed for the occasion out of Psalms previously existing.
1Ch 16:39
This is the first mention that we have of Gibeon as the place at which the tabernacle of the congregation now rested. Previously it had been at Nob 1Sa 21:1-6, from where it was removed probably at the time of the slaughter of the priests by Doeg 1Sa 22:18-19. It is uncertain whether Gibeon was regarded as a “high place” before the transfer to it of the tabernacle: hut thenceforth, until the completion of Solomon’s Temple, it was the “great high place” 1Ki 3:4 - a second center of the national worship which for above 50 years was divided between Gibeon and Jerusalem.
1Ch 16:40
Upon the altar of the burnt offering - The original altar of burnt-offering Exo 27:1-8 continued at Gibeon with the tabernacle 2Ch 1:3, 2Ch 1:5. David must have erected a new altar for sacrifice at Jerusalem 1Ch 16:1. The sacrifices commanded by the Law were, it appears, offered at the former place; at the latter were offered voluntary additional sacrifices.
1Ch 16:41
The rest ... - Rather, “the rest of the chosen ones, who were mentioned by name.” The “chosen ones” were “mentioned by name” in 1Ch 15:17-24. A portion of them, namely, those named in 1Ch 16:5-6, conducted the service in Jerusalem; the remainder were employed in the worship at Gibeon.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv4–6 Appointed, as a prophet, (Haydock) or by dispensation. The…
Appointed, as a prophet, (Haydock) or by dispensation. The high priest has supreme spiritual power, Deuteronomy xvii. 18., &c. (Worthington)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv4–6 he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before…
he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord--No sooner was the ark deposited in its tent than the Levites, who were to officiate in the choirs before it, entered upon their duties. A select number of the musicians were chosen for the service from the list (Ch1 15:19-21) of those who had taken a prominent part in the recent procession. The same arrangement was to be observed in their duties, now that the ark again was stationary; Asaph, with his associates, composing the first or principal company, played with cymbals; Zechariah and his colleagues, with whom were conjoined Jeiel and Obed-edom, forming the second company, used harps and similar instruments.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v4 4. To record, and to thank and praise —…
4. To record, and to thank and praise — The verb rendered to record is the same as that in the titles of Psalms 38, 70, where it is rendered to bring to remembrance. The contents of those psalms are a memorial to God of the penitence, sufferings, and dangers of a tempted soul. So, along with thanksgiving and praise, the Levites were also to memorialize Jehovah of Israel’s needs and sorrows by the use of such penitential psalms.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv4–6 4–6 (cp. 1Ch_16:37-38). David’s Arrangements for Ministration before the…
4–6 (cp. 1Ch_16:37-38). David’s Arrangements for Ministration before the Ark
4. to record] R.V. to celebrate. The literal meaning is to call to mind; cp. 1Ch_16:12 (remember). Cp. Psalms 38, 70 (titles).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv4–6 (4) And he appointed certain of the Levites.—Literally, put,…
(4) And he appointed certain of the Levites.—Literally, put, placed (Gen_3:12).
To minister.—Literally, ministering—i.e., as ministers. The object of the appointment is defined by the words which follow: “both to remind, and to thank, and to praise Jehovah, the God of Israel.” Each verb expresses a distinct kind of duty in the service of song.
Read full note →
To record is the technical term for chanting the psalms which accompanied the sacrificial burning of the Azkârâh, that is, the part of the meat offering that was presented on the altar (Lev_2:2). (Comp. the use of the cognate verb in the titles of Psalms 38, 70)
To thank was to perform psalms of invocation, and confession of benefits received.
To praise was to sing and play hymns of hallelujah such as Psalms 146-150.
These Levites were to minister thus before the Ark in the sacred tent of Mount Zion.
(4-42) THE INSTITUTION OF A MINISTRY FOR THE ARK. THE ODE SUNG ON THE DAY OF INSTITUTION.
This entire section is peculiar to the Chronicle. 1Ch_16:43 is almost identical with 2Sa_6:19-20. Compared, then, with the older text, this relation of the chronicler’s looks like a parenthesis interpolated from another source into the history, as narrated in 2Sa_6:12-20.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv4–6 Vers. 4-7. These verses contain a statement of the…
Vers. 4-7. These verses contain a statement of the arrangement David made of a more permanent nature, but to date from this commencement, for the service of thanksgiving by the Levites.
To minister; i.e. to officiate, as we should say, in the service before the ark. The verse seems to describe what should be the essence of that service. It was threefoldto record, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel. The word here used for "record" is the Hiph. of rkz (to remember), and is remarked upon by Gesenius as a title strictly appropriate to the character of the two psalms 38. and 70., on the head of which it stands, as meaning, "to make others remember". (see also such passages as Exo_20:24; 2Sa_8:16 2Sa_18:18 2Sa_20:24; Isa_43:26; Isa_63:7) The minds of the people were to be refreshed in this service and in their very psalm of praise (so note in this sense vers. 8, 9, 12, 21, etc.), by being reminded or told, so far as the youngest of them might be concerned, of God"s marvellous and merciful deeds for their forefathers of many, many a generation. Then they were to give intelligent and hearty thanks. And, lastly, they were to offer to approach that purest form of worship which consists in adoring praise. One might imagine with what zest they would have accepted, with what fervour they would have added lip and instrument of music to it that one verse which needed the revolution yet of nearly another three thousand years, that it might flow from the devotion or" Addison.
Read full note →
When all thy mercies, O my God, My rising soul surveys, Transported with the view I"m lost In wonder, love, and praise.
Ministerial service.
Although the Levites were set apart for the service of the Lord"s house, even from the days of Moses, it is certain that the Levitical services were more fully organized by David, and that from his time there was more of system and more of efficiency in their ministrations. There is so marked a difference between the Jewish Church and the Christian Church, that we can only apply the general principles of the former to the latter. Yet the text may well suggest to us that
I PUBLIC WORSHIP HAS SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY. Worship, to be acceptable, must be from the heart. But out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak. It is natural and appropriate that the sentiments and desires of the soul should find a vocal utterance; and it is also natural and appropriate that those who have the same tribute to offer should join together and offer it in common. The Book of the Acts in the New Testament sanctions such worship equally with these Books of Chronicles in the Old.
II PUBLIC WORSHIP SHOULD CONSIST LARGELY OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE. According to the text, the Levites recorded and celebrated the glorious deeds of the Most High, adored his attributes, gave thanks for his forgiving mercy, his bounty, and loving-kindness. We do not want less prayer in our congregations, but we do want more praise. "His mercy endureth for ever;" and while his mercy endures his praises should not cease.
III PUBLIC WORSHIP SHOULD BE LED BY APPOINTED MINISTERS. Common sense may teach us so much. If praise is to be sung, some musical leaders must conduct it. If the Scriptures are to be read, some human voice must read them. If prayer is to be offered, some one must pour forth the language of petition, in which others may join, whether silently or audibly. If the gospel is to be heard by men, "how shall they hear without a preacher?" Scripture precedents abound for ministerial service.
IV While public worship must be properly conducted, IT MUST NOT BE DELEGATED ANY FUNCTIONARIES OR OFFICIALS, WHOSE SERVICES MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THAT OF THE PEOPLE. Levites under the old dispensation, pastors and teachers under the new, may aid the devotions of the people, but their offering cannot be accepted in the place of what God requires a song, a prayer, from every heart. "Praise the Lord, all ye people!" The Christian Church admits of no exclusive priesthood; all Christians are priests unto God the Father, inasmuch as all offer to him sacrifices of willing obedience and grateful praise.
CONCLUSION.
1. A rebuke to the ungrateful and undevout, who, whilst they daily receive God"s mercies, acknowledge not the Giver.
2. A rebuke to the formal and ceremonial, who excuse themselves fromoffering sacrifices of praise on the ground that this "religious duty" is fulfilled by appointed officials.
3. A reminder and summons, to which all sincere Christians will do well totake heed. Some spiritual ministry and service may be fulfilled by every Christian; and it is a high honour to be permitted to lead the praises and the supplications of the people of the Lord. T.
Vers. 4-7, 36-43.
Regular Divine service.
These verses may suggest to us wholesome truths respecting the constant worship of God as distinguished from acts of exceptional devotion.
I THAT DEVOTION MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO EVAPORATE IN TEMPORARY EXCITEMENT, David was wise in not sending the people home (ver. 43) until he had designed a plan or arrangement in virtue of which the thankful spirit of the people should express itself in ordinary and regular exercises (vers. 4-37). The time of revival, of exceptional religious excitement, of spiritual ecstasy, may be very pleasant and promising, but it will end in nothing or in positive evil, if those who prompt and lead it do not devise measures by which it shall find due utterance in permanent institutions.
II THAT SACRED THINGS MUST BE ENTRUSTED TO THE CHARGE OF CAPABLE AND RESPONSIBLE PERSONS. However admirable the institution, it will not take care of itself. Good things will soon wane and die if they be not taken charge of by living earnest souls. David sought and found the best men to be engaged in the service of praise (vers. 5, 6). In every part of Divine service, success can only be attained and maintained by competent and responsible men taking the matter in hand. If we trust to the intrinsic excellency of the exercise, and allow negligence or favouritism to enter, we may expect speedy, or, at any rate, certain decline and ultimate extinction. In God"s service let each post be assigned to that man whom he has made fittest for it, and who will feel that he is personally accountable for the way in which it is kept.
III THAT INFERIOR POSTS ARE NOT WITHOUT A REAL IMPORTANCE IN THE SERVICE OF GOD. Much mention is made here (as elsewhere) of doorkeepers. (vers. 38-43; see Psa_84:10) The doorkeepers of our sanctuaries are men of humble position; nevertheless, they may contribute much by conscientious carefulness and Christian courtesy to the comfort, peace of mind, and devoutness of spirit of the worshippers; and thus to the cause of God. Any position in the service of the Supreme, of a gracious and almighty Redeemer, is one which we do well to "magnify" in our esteem, that we may do our duty therein faithfully, as unto the Lord as well as unto men.
IV THAT PRAYER AS WELL AS PRAISE MUST BE INCLUDED IN DIVINE SERVICE. Though there was to be daily service at Jerusalem for the future, there must also be daily sacrifice at Gibeon (vers. 39, 40). The choir-master could not do the work of the priest; there must be sacrifice as well as praise. We should multiply our service of song and can hardly go too far in sacred psalmody; yet we must never make light of the prayer of confession, of the entreaty for Divine mercy, of our need to seek again the pardoning love of God.
V THAT ONE MAN MAY LEAD, BUT ALL MUST PARTICIPATE IN, THE SERVICE OF GOD. David alone prepared and delivered the psalm. Asaph alone received it at the king"s hand, and made the musical arrangements (vers 5-7); but "all the people said Amen and praised the Lord (ver. 36). It is well sometimes that one man should speak for others, they following and participating in thought, and saying "Amen" at the end, in token and utterance of their hearty assent. It is also well perhaps better that" all the people" should utter together the words of prayer and praise. Most men can best follow the sense when they utter the sound of sacred words. This is a question fur individual and congregational aptitudes and preferences; the matter of importance is that, whatever method be adopted, the service of God shall be one in which all hearts unite in supplication, in adoration, in thanksgiving, in consecration. C.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v4 And to record.
1Ch_16:4-7
And to record.
Read full note →
The recorders
These recorders were to take notes of what God had done; they were to be the chroniclers of the nation, and out of their chronicles they were to compose the psalms and songs. The original of the word record bears another meaning--to bring to remembrance. We gather--
I. That if recorders were appointed, there is some fault in our memory towards the Lord.
1. Memory has been prejudiced by the fall.
2. Memory towards Gods mercy has been very much impaired by neglect.
3. Memory touching Gods mercy is often overloaded with other things. I think Aristotle used to call memory the stomach of the soul, in which it retains and digests what it gathers; but men cram it full of everything that it does not want--upon which the soul cannot feed, and thus they ruin it for remembering the best things.
4. Memory has also suffered from its connection with the other faculties.
(1) Darkened understandings.
(2) Perverted affections.
5. Our memory of Gods goodness is often crushed down by a sense of present pain.
II. That we ought to do all we can to assist our memories towards God.
1. It is a good thing to make an actual record of Gods mercy.
2. Be sure to praise God thoroughly at the time you receive His goodness.
3. Set apart a little time for meditation.
4. Often rehearse His mercy in the ears of others.
5. Use everything about you as a memento.
III. We have all had mercies to remember.
1. Common mercies.
2. Special providence.
3. The long-suffering of God.
IV. That all our memories should tend to make us praise and bless God. Rowland Hill used to say that worldlings were like the hogs under the oak, which eat the acorns, but never think of the oak from which they fall, nor lift up their heads to grunt out a thanksgiving. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
And Jeiel with psalteries and with harps.--
The meaning of song
The meaning of song goes deep. Who is there that in logical words can express the effect that music has on us? A kind of inarticulate, unfathomable speech, which leads us to the edge of the infinite, and lets us for moments gaze into that. (T. Carlyle.)
Musical talent dedicated to God
Jenny Lind believed that her art was the gift of God, and to be dedicated to His service. I have always put Him first, said she, in her last illness. (Church Worker.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v4 See titles of Psalms 38, 70.
record
See titles of Psalms 38, 70.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Arno C. Gaebelein 1922 · Public Domain On v4 6. The Great Thanksgiving Psalm
6. The Great Thanksgiving Psalm
CHAPTER 16:4-43
Read full note →
1. David’s appointment (1Ch 16:4-6)
2. The Psalm of praise and thanksgiving (1Ch 16:7-36)
3. The Levites and the public worship (1Ch 16:37-43)
A great thanksgiving Psalm was then delivered by David into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. The view of modern critics, that this Psalm is post-exilic, does not call for any refutation, for the text declares that David himself delivered the hymn to Asaph. The Psalm is made up of portions of different Psalms. See Psalm 105:1-15; 96:1-13; 106:47-48; 107:1; 136. A careful study will show the far reaching meaning of this composite Psalm. It is a great prophecy. It begins with the celebration and praise of what Jehovah has done. Israel is called to remember His covenant. It is not the covenant at Sinai, with its conditional promises, but the unconditional, the grace-covenant, made with Abraham, an everlasting covenant that his seed is to have the land. But prophetically the Psalm points to the time when “His judgments are in all the earth”; it is at that time when the covenant made with Abraham will be remembered. Such a time will come according to the prophetic Word. Verse 22, “Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm,” speaks of Israel’s preservation; for Israel is His anointed, a kingdom of kings and priests. The day must come when the covenant made with Abraham will be realized and when Israel shall possess the land, after their wanderings from nation to nation (verse 20). Then there will be a throne in Zion and a King shall reign in righteousness, even Christ (Psalm 2).
Then Psalm 96 is quoted. It is a Psalm which looks forward to the kingdom on earth, when the nations acknowledge Jehovah and bow in His presence. The blessed age of glory, of which the prophets have so much to say, the unreached goal of the glorious future of the earth, the millennium, is pictured in this Psalm.
Fear before Him, all the earth
The World is established, it cannot be moved,
Let the heavens be glad,
And let the earth rejoice.
And let them say among the nations,
The LORD reigneth.
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof,
Let the fields rejoice and all there is therein;
Then shall the trees of the wood sing out,
At the Presence of the LORD,
Because He cometh to judge the earth.
The praise of Israel concludes the thanksgiving Psalm. We repeat, it is prophetic. It looks onward to the time when the Lord will deliver His people, when the promises made to the fathers will all be fulfilled, when the nations of the earth will know the Lord and when He will reign over all. Such is Israel’s future. When He has been merciful to His land and to His people, the nations will rejoice (Deu 32:43).
At the close of this chapter we notice how King David regulates everything that was to be done before the ark.
“The placing of the ark in the capital of Israel, thus making it ‘the city of God,’ was an event not only of deep national, but of such typical importance, that it is frequently referred to in the sacred songs of the sanctuary. No one will have any difficulty in recognizing Psalm 24 as the hymn composed for this occasion. But other Psalms also refer to it, amongst which, without entering on details that may be profitably studied by each reader, we may mention Psalms 15, 68, 78, and especially Psalm 101, as indicating, so to speak, the moral bearing of the nearness of God’s ark upon the king and his kingdom.”
“Faith, apprehending the counsels and the work of God, could see in the establishment of the ark in Zion, the progress of God’s power and intervention towards the peaceful and glorious reign of the Son of David. The sure mercies of David were as bright to the eye of faith as the dawn of day, in that the ark of the covenant had been set up by David in the mountain which God had chosen for His everlasting rest” (Synopsis of the Bible).
Arno C. Gaebelein, The Annotated Bible (1913–1922) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v4 Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom,…
Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom, and Jeiel ... Benaiah and Jahaziel
These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)
Read full note →
second to him
This means next to him in authority and position. (See: Ordinal Numbers)
cymbals
These are two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound. See how you translated this in 1 Chronicles 13:8. (See: Translate Unknowns)
translationWords
appoint
Levi
servant
praise
Asaph
harp
priest
horn
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.