1 Chronicles 16

Darby Translation (DARBY) · English

1 And they brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had spread for it; and they presented burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before God. 2 And when David had ended offering up the burnt-offerings and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah. 3 And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread and a measure [of wine] and a raisin-cake. 4 And he appointed certain of the Levites to do the service before the ark of Jehovah, and to celebrate, and to thank and praise Jehovah the God of Israel: 5 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 instruments of lutes and with harps; and Asaph sounding with cymbals; 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God. 7 Then on that day David delivered first [this psalm] to give thanks to Jehovah through Asaph and his brethren. 8 Give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known his acts among the peoples. 9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him; Meditate upon all his wondrous works. 10 Glory in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah. 11 Seek Jehovah and his strength, Seek his face continually; 12 Remember his wondrous works which he hath done; His miracles, and the judgments of his mouth: 13 Ye seed of Israel his servant, Ye sons of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14 He, Jehovah, is our God; His judgments are in all the earth. 15 Be ye ever mindful of his covenant, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations, — 16 Which he made with Abraham, And of his oath unto Isaac; 17 And he confirmed it unto Jacob for a statute, Unto Israel for an everlasting covenant, 18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance; 19 When ye were a few men in number, Of small account, and strangers in it. 20 And they went from nation to nation, And from one kingdom to another people. 21 He suffered no man to oppress them, And reproved kings for their sakes, 22 [Saying,] Touch not mine anointed ones, And do my prophets no harm. 23 Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth; Publish his salvation from day to day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, His wondrous works among all peoples. 25 For Jehovah is great, and exceedingly to be praised; And he is terrible above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols; But Jehovah made the heavens. 27 Majesty and splendour are before him; Strength and gladness in his place. 28 Give unto Jehovah, ye families of peoples, Give unto Jehovah glory and strength! 29 Give unto Jehovah the glory of his name! Bring an oblation, and come before him: Worship Jehovah in holy splendour. 30 Tremble before him, all the earth: The world also is established, it shall not be moved. 31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; And let them say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth! 32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; Let the field exult, and all that is therein. 33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing out at the presence of Jehovah, For he cometh to judge the earth. 34 Give thanks unto Jehovah, for he is good; For his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever. 35 And say, Save us, O God of our salvation, And gather us, and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks unto thy holy name, To triumph in thy praise. 36 Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel, from eternity and to eternity! And all the people said, Amen! and praised Jehovah. 37 And he left there, before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, Asaph and his brethren, to do the service before the ark continually, as every day's duty required; 38 and Obed-Edom, and their brethren, sixty-eight; Obed-Edom also, the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah as doorkeepers. 39 And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of Jehovah in the high place that was at Gibeon, 40 to offer up burnt-offerings to Jehovah on the altar of burnt-offering continually, morning and evening, and according to all that is written in the law of Jehovah, which he commanded Israel; 41 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to Jehovah, because his loving-kindness [endureth] for ever; 42 and with them, [with] Heman and Jeduthun, trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud; and the musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were at the gate. 43 And all the people departed every one to his house; and David returned to bless his household.

Commentary — not Bible text

1 Chronicles 16:1

Introduction

David brings the ark into its tent; and offers sacrifices, peace-offerings, and burnt-offerings, 1Chr 16:1, 1Chr 16:2; and gives portions to the people of Israel, 1Chr 16:3. He appoints proper ministers and officers for the ark, 1Chr 16:4-6. He delivers a solemn thanksgiving on the occasion, vv. 7-36. How the different officers served at the ark, 1Chr 16:37-42. The people return home, 1Chr 16:43.

1 Chronicles 16:2

Verse 2

He blessed the people - "He blessed the people in the name of the Word of the Lord." - T.

1 Chronicles 16:3-4

Verse 3

To every one a loaf of bread - A whole cake. A good piece of flesh; "the sixth part of an ox, and the sixth part of a hin of wine." - T. See 2Sam 6:18-20; see Jarchi also.

1 Chronicles 16:5-6

Verse 5

Asaph - See the preceding chapter, 1Chr 15:17 (note), etc.

1 Chronicles 16:7-9

Verse 7

David delivered first this psalm - I believe the meaning of this place to be this: David made the psalm on the occasion above specified; and delivered it to Asaph, who was the musician, and to his brethren, to be sung by them in honor of what God had done in behalf of his people.

1 Chronicles 16:10-11

Verse 10

That seek the Lord - "That seek the Word of the Lord." - T.

1 Chronicles 16:12-21

Verse 12

Remember his marvellous works - The whole of the psalm refers to God's wondrous actions among the nations in behalf of Israel.

1 Chronicles 16:22-30

Verse 22

Touch not mine anointed - By this title the patriarchs are generally understood: they had a regal and sacerdotal power in the order of God. In the behalf of the patriarchs God had often especially interfered: in behalf of Abraham, Gen 12:17; Gen 20:3; and of Jacob, Gen 31:24; Gen 34:26; Gen 35:5. But the title may be applied to all the Jewish people, who were the anointed, as they were the elect and peculiar people of God. See on Heb 11:26 (note).

1 Chronicles 16:31-34

Verse 31

Let the heavens be glad - "Let the supreme angels be glad, and the inhabitants of the earth rejoice." - T. In this place the Targumist uses the Greek word αγγελοι, angels, in Hebrew letters thus, אנגלי angeley.

1 Chronicles 16:35-38

Verse 35

Save us, O God of our salvation - As he is the saving God, so we may pray to him to save us. To pray to God under the attribute the influence of which we need, serves to inspire much confidence. I am weak; Almighty God, help me! I am ignorant; O thou Father of lights, teach me! I am lost; O merciful God, save me; etc. See the notes on Psa 96:1-13 (note) and Psalm 105 (note).

1 Chronicles 16:39-41

Verse 39

Zadok the priest - Both Zadok and Abiathar were high priests at this time: the former David established at Gibeah, or Gibeon, where the ark had been all the days of Saul; and the latter he established at Jerusalem, where the ark now was: so there were two high priests, and two distinct services; but there was only one ark. How long the service at Gibeon was continued we cannot tell; the principal functions were no doubt performed at Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 16:42-43

Verse 42

Musical instruments of God - Ad canendum Deo, "to sing to God." - Vulgate. Των ωδων του Θεου, "of the sons of God." - Septuagint. The Syriac is remarkable: "These were upright men who did not sing unto God with instruments of music, nor with drums, nor with listra, nor with straight nor crooked pipes, nor with cymbals; but they sang before the Lord Almighty with a joyous mouth, and with a pure and holy prayer, and with innocence and integrity." The Arabic is nearly the same. None of the versions understand the words כלי שיר האלהים keley shir haelohim as implying instruments of music of God, but instruments employed in the song of God, or to praise God; as also the Targum. Query, Did God ever ordain instruments of music to be used in his worship? Can they be used in Christian assemblies according to the spirit of Christianity? Has Jesus Christ, or his apostles, ever commanded or sanctioned the use of them? Were they ever used any where in the apostolic Church? Does the use of them at present, in Christian congregations, ever increase the spirit of devotion? Does it ever appear that bands of musicians, either in their collective or individual capacity, are more spiritual, or as spiritual, as the other parts of the Church of Christ? Is there less pride, self-will, stubbornness, insubordination, lightness, and frivolity, among such persons, than among the other professors of Christianity found in the same religious society? Is it ever remarked or known that musicians in the house of God have attained to any depth of piety, or superior soundness of understanding, in the things of God? Is it ever found that those Churches and Christian societies which have and use instruments of music in Divine worship are more holy, or as holy, as those societies which do not use them? And is it always found that the ministers which affect and recommend them to be used in the worship of Almighty God, are the most spiritual men, and the most spiritual and useful preachers? Can mere sounds, no matter how melodious, where no word nor sentiment is or can be uttered, be considered as giving praise to God? Is it possible that pipes or strings of any kind can give God praise? Can God be pleased with sounds which are emitted by no sentient being, and have in themselves no meaning? If these questions cannot be answered in the affirmative: then, query, Is not the introduction of such instruments into the worship of God antichristian, and calculated to debase and ultimately ruin the spirit and influence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? And should not all who wish well to the spread and establishment of pure and undefiled religion, lift up their hand, their influence, and their voice against them? The argument from their use in the Jewish service is futile in the extreme when applied to Christianity.

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