4 He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to extol,[1] thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph was the chief, and next to him in rank were Zechariah, then Jaaziel,[2] Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

David's Psalm of Thanksgiving

7 That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner:

Other Translations of 1 Chronicles 16:4-7

King James Version

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: 5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries with psalteries...: Heb. with instruments of psalteries and harps and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; 6 Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

David's Psalm of Thanksgiving

7 Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

English Standard Version

4 Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel. 5 Asaph was the chief, and second to him were Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel, who were to play harps and lyres; Asaph was to sound the cymbals, 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

David's Psalm of Thanksgiving

7 Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers.

The Message

4 Then David assigned some of the Levites to the Chest of God to lead worship - to intercede, give thanks, and praise the God of Israel. 5 Asaph was in charge; under him were Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, who played the musical instruments. Asaph was on percussion. 6 The priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets before the Chest of the Covenant of God at set times through the day.

David's Psalm of Thanksgiving

7 That was the day that David inaugurated regular worship of praise to God, led by Asaph and his company.

New King James Version

4 And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel: 5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed-Edom: Jeiel with stringed instruments and harps, but Asaph made music with cymbals; 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests regularly blew the trumpets before the ark of the covenant of God.

David's Psalm of Thanksgiving

7 On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the Lord:

New Living Translation

4 David appointed the following Levites to lead the people in worship before the Ark of the Lord -to invoke his blessings, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel. 5 Asaph, the leader of this group, sounded the cymbals. Second to him was Zechariah, followed by Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They played the harps and lyres. 6 The priests, Benaiah and Jahaziel, played the trumpets regularly before the Ark of God's Covenant.

David's Psalm of Thanksgiving

7 On that day David gave to Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the Lord :

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 16:4-7

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 16:1-6

(Read 1 Chronicles 16:1-6)

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.

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 16:7-36

(Read 1 Chronicles 16:7-36)

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.