1 Chronicles 16

1 The ark of God was brought into Jerusalem. It was put in the tent David had set up for it. The priests brought burnt offerings and friendship offerings to God.

2 After David finished sacrificing those offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

3 He gave to each Israelite man and woman a loaf of bread. He also gave each one a date cake and a raisin cake.

4 He appointed some of the Levites to serve in front of the ark of the Lord. David wanted them to pray, give thanks and praise the Lord. He is the God of Israel.

5 Asaph was the leader of those Levites. Zechariah was next. Then came Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They played the lyres and harps. Asaph played the cymbals.

6 The priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets. They blew them at regular times in front of the ark of the covenant of God.

David's Psalm of Thanks to the LORD

7 That day was the first time David gave Asaph and his helpers this psalm of thanks to the Lord.

8 Give thanks to the Lord. Worship him. Tell the nations what he has done.

9 Sing to him. Sing praise to him. Tell about all of the wonderful things he has done.

10 Praise him, because his name is holy. Let the hearts of those who trust in the LORD be glad.

11 Look to the LORD and to his strength. Always look to him.

12 Remember the wonderful things he has done. Remember his miracles and how he judged our enemies.

13 Remember what he has done, you children of his servant Israel. Remember it, you people of Jacob. You are God's chosen ones.

14 He is the LORD our God. He judges the whole earth.

15 He will keep his covenant forever. He will keep his promise for all time to come.

16 He will keep the covenant he made with Abraham. He will keep the oath he took when he made his promise to Isaac.

17 He made it stand as a law for Jacob. He made it stand as a covenant for Israel. It will last forever.

18 He said, "I will give you the land of Canaan. It will belong to you."

19 At first there weren't very many of God's people. There were only a few. And they were strangers in the land.

20 They wandered from nation to nation. They wandered from one kingdom to another.

21 But God didn't allow anyone to beat them down. To keep them safe, he gave a command to kings.

22 He said to them, "Do not touch my anointed ones. Do not harm my prophets."

23 All you people of the earth, sing to the Lord. Day after day tell about how he saves us.

24 Tell the nations about his glory. Tell all people about the wonderful things he has done.

25 The LORD is great. He is really worthy of praise. People should have respect for him as the greatest God of all.

26 All of the gods of the nations are like their statues. They can't do anything. But the LORD made the heavens.

27 Glory and majesty are all around him. Strength and joy can be seen in the place where he lives.

28 Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise the LORD for his glory and strength.

29 Praise the LORD for the glory that belongs to him. Bring an offering and come to him. Worship the LORD because of his beauty and holiness.

30 All you people of the earth, tremble when you are with him. The world is firmly set in place. It can't be moved.

31 Let the heavens be filled with joy. Let the earth be glad. Let them say among the nations, "The LORD rules!"

32 Let the ocean and everything in it roar. Let the fields and everything in them be glad.

33 Then the trees in the forest will sing with joy. They will sing to the Lord. He will judge the people of the world.

34 Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good. His faithful love continues forever.

35 Cry out, "Save us, God our Savior. Save us. Bring us back from among the nations. Then we will give thanks to you, because your name is holy. We will celebrate by praising you."

36 Give praise to the Lord, the God of Israel, for ever and ever. Then all of the people said, "Amen!" They also said, "Praise the Lord."

37 David left Asaph and his helpers to serve in front of the ark of the covenant of the Lord. They served there at regular times. They did it as they were required to do each day.

38 David also left Obed-Edom and his 68 helpers to serve with them. Obed-Edom and Hosah guarded the gates. Obed-Edom was the son of Jeduthun.

39 David left the priest Zadok and some other priests in front of the holy tent of the Lord. It was at the high place in Gibeon.

40 David left them there to sacrifice burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar every morning and evening. They did it in keeping with everything that is written in the Law of the Lord. That's the Law he had given to Israel.

41 Heman and Jeduthun were with the priests. So were the rest of those who had been chosen by name and appointed to serve. They had been chosen to give thanks to the Lord, "because his faithful love continues forever."

42 It was the duty of Heman and Jeduthun to blow the trumpets. They also had the duty of playing the cymbals and other instruments for the sacred songs. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at one of the gates.

43 All of the people left. Everyone went home. And David returned home to bless his family.

1 Chronicles 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

The solemnity with which the ark was fixed. (1-6) David's psalm of praise. (7-36) Setting in order the worship of God. (37-43)

Verses 1-6 Though God's word and ordinances may be clouded and eclipsed for a time, they shall shine out of obscurity. This was but a tent, a humble dwelling, yet this was the tabernacle which David, in his psalms, often speaks of with so much affection. David showed himself generous to his subjects, as he had found God gracious to him. Those whose hearts are enlarged with holy joy, should show it by being open-handed.

Verses 7-36 Let God be glorified in our praises. Let others be edified and taught, that strangers to him may be led to adore him. Let us ourselves triumph and trust in God. Those that give glory to God's name are allowed to glory in it. Let the everlasting covenant be the great matter of our joy his people of old, be remembered by us with thankfulness to him. Show forth from day to day his salvation, his promised salvation by Christ. We have reason to celebrate that from day to day; for we daily receive the benefit, and it is a subject that can never be exhausted. In the midst of praises, we must not forget to pray for the servants of God in distress.

Verses 37-43 The worship of God ought to be the work of every day. David put it into order. At Jerusalem, where the ark was, Asaph and his brethren were to minister before the ark continually, with songs of praise. No sacrifices were offered there, nor incense burnt, because the altars were not there; but David's prayers were directed as incense, and the lifting up of his hands as the evening sacrifice. So early did spiritual worship take place of ceremonial. Yet the ceremonial worship, being of Divine institution, must by no means be omitted; therefore at Gibeon, at the altars, the priests attended; for their work was to sacrifice and burn incense; and that they did continually, morning and evening, according to the law of Moses. As the ceremonies were types of the mediation of Christ, the observance of them was of great consequence. The attendance of his appointed ministers is right in itself, and encourages the people.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 16

This chapter relates that David offered sacrifices when the ark was brought into his city, 1Ch 16:1-3 who were the singers he appointed to sing before it continually, 1Ch 16:4-6 and the song he that day composed and delivered to them to sing, 1Ch 16:7-36 and that he appointed not only proper persons to minister before the ark, but also before the tabernacle at Gibeon, 1Ch 16:37-43.

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