Nehemiah 12:46

46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

Nehemiah 12:46 in Other Translations

46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

46 For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

46 The custom of having choir directors to lead the choirs in hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God began long ago in the days of David and Asaph.

46 That's the way it was done in the olden days, the days of David and Asaph, when they had choir directors for singing songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there was a chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

46 Long ago in the time of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers to lead [in singing] the songs of praise and hymns of thanksgiving to God.

46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were leaders of the singers and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

46 A long time ago there had been directors for the singers. There had also been directors for the songs for giving thanks and praise to God. It was in the time of David and Asaph.

Nehemiah 12:46 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 12:46

For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of
the singers
Persons appointed over the rest to instruct them, and see that they did their work aright, as besides Asaph, Haman, and Jeduthun, and their sons, ( 1 Chronicles 25:2-8 )

and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God;
such were made by them, some under divine inspiration, which bear the names of David and Asaph, as may be observed in the book of Psalms.

Nehemiah 12:46 In-Context

44 At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites.

45 They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and his son Solomon.

46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

47 So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.

Cross References

• 1. S 2 Chronicles 35:15
• 2. 2 Chronicles 29:27; Psalms 137:4