4 He appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of Yahweh, and to celebrate and to thank and praise Yahweh, 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 stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud; 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.
7 Then on that day David first ordained to give thanks to Yahweh, by the hand of Asaph and his brothers. 8 Oh give thanks to Yahweh.
Call on his name.
Make his doings known among the peoples. 9 Sing to him.
Sing praises to him.
Tell of all his marvelous works. 10 Glory in his holy name.
Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. 11 Seek Yahweh and his strength.
Seek his face forever more. 12 Remember his marvelous works that he has done,
his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, 13 you seed of Israel his servant,
you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14 He is Yahweh our God.
His judgments are in all the earth. 15 Remember his covenant forever,
the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, 16 the covenant which he made with Abraham,
his oath to Isaac. 17 He confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute,
and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 18 saying, “I will give you the land of Canaan,
The lot of your inheritance,” 19 when you were but a few men in number,
yes, very few, and foreigners were in it. 20 They went about from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people. 21 He allowed no man to do them wrong.
Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes, 22 “Don’t touch my anointed ones!
Do my prophets no harm!” 23 Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
Display his salvation from day to day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations,
and his marvelous works among all the peoples. 25 For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised.
He also is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but Yahweh made the heavens. 27 Honor and majesty are before him.
Strength and gladness are in his place. 28 Ascribe to Yahweh, you relatives of the peoples,
ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 16:4-28
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.