Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 1 Chronicles » Chapter 16

1 Chronicles 16:1-43 King James Version (KJV)

1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

3 And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.

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 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.

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

8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

12 Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;

16 Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;

17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to 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 but few, even a few, and strangers in it.

20 And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;

21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,

22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation.

24 Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.

25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

27 Glory and honor are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

28 Give unto the LORD, ye kindred of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

29 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.

33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.

34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.

36 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

37 So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:

38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:

39 And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,

40 To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, 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 the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever;

42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.

43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.


1 Chronicles 16:1-43 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 So they brought H935 the ark H727 of God, H430 and set H3322 it in the midst H8432 of the tent H168 that David H1732 had pitched H5186 for it: and they offered H7126 burnt sacrifices H5930 and peace offerings H8002 before H6440 God. H430

2 And when David H1732 had made an end H3615 of offering H5927 the burnt offerings H5930 and the peace offerings, H8002 he blessed H1288 the people H5971 in the name H8034 of the LORD. H3068

3 And he dealt H2505 to every one H376 of Israel, H3478 both man H376 and woman, H802 to every one H376 a loaf H3603 of bread, H3899 and a good piece of flesh, H829 and a flagon H809 of wine.

4 And he appointed H5414 certain of the Levites H3881 to minister H8334 before H6440 the ark H727 of the LORD, H3068 and to record, H2142 and to thank H3034 and praise H1984 the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel: H3478

5 Asaph H623 the chief, H7218 and next H4932 to him Zechariah, H2148 Jeiel, H3273 and Shemiramoth, H8070 and Jehiel, H3171 and Mattithiah, H4993 and Eliab, H446 and Benaiah, H1141 and Obededom: H5654 and Jeiel H3273 with psalteries H5035 H3627 and with harps; H3658 but Asaph H623 made a sound H8085 with cymbals; H4700

6 Benaiah H1141 also and Jahaziel H3166 the priests H3548 with trumpets H2689 continually H8548 before H6440 the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of God. H430

7 Then on that day H3117 David H1732 delivered H5414 first H7218 this psalm to thank H3034 the LORD H3068 into the hand H3027 of Asaph H623 and his brethren. H251

8 Give thanks H3034 unto the LORD, H3068 call H7121 upon his name, H8034 make known H3045 his deeds H5949 among the people. H5971

9 Sing H7891 unto him, sing psalms H2167 unto him, talk H7878 ye of all his wondrous H6381 works.

10 Glory H1984 ye in his holy H6944 name: H8034 let the heart H3820 of them rejoice H8055 that seek H1245 the LORD. H3068

11 Seek H1875 the LORD H3068 and his strength, H5797 seek H1245 his face H6440 continually. H8548

12 Remember H2142 his marvellous H6381 works that he hath done, H6213 his wonders, H4159 and the judgments H4941 of his mouth; H6310

13 O ye seed H2233 of Israel H3478 his servant, H5650 ye children H1121 of Jacob, H3290 his chosen ones. H972

14 He is the LORD H3068 our God; H430 his judgments H4941 are in all the earth. H776

15 Be ye mindful H2142 always H5769 of his covenant; H1285 the word H1697 which he commanded H6680 to a thousand H505 generations; H1755

16 Even of the covenant which he made H3772 with Abraham, H85 and of his oath H7621 unto Isaac; H3327

17 And hath confirmed H5975 the same to Jacob H3290 for a law, H2706 and to Israel H3478 for an everlasting H5769 covenant, H1285

18 Saying, H559 Unto thee will I give H5414 the land H776 of Canaan, H3667 the lot H2256 of your inheritance; H5159

19 When ye were but few, H4557 H4962 even a few, H4592 and strangers H1481 in it.

20 And when they went H1980 from nation H1471 to nation, H1471 and from one kingdom H4467 to another H312 people; H5971

21 He suffered H3240 no man H376 to do them wrong: H6231 yea, he reproved H3198 kings H4428 for their sakes,

22 Saying, Touch H5060 not mine anointed, H4899 and do my prophets H5030 no harm. H7489

23 Sing H7891 unto the LORD, H3068 all the earth; H776 shew forth H1319 from day H3117 to day H3117 his salvation. H3444

24 Declare H5608 his glory H3519 among the heathen; H1471 his marvellous works H6381 among all nations. H5971

25 For great H1419 is the LORD, H3068 and greatly H3966 to be praised: H1984 he also is to be feared H3372 above all gods. H430

26 For all the gods H430 of the people H5971 are idols: H457 but the LORD H3068 made H6213 the heavens. H8064

27 Glory H1935 and honour H1926 are in his presence; H6440 strength H5797 and gladness H2304 are in his place. H4725

28 Give H3051 unto the LORD, H3068 ye kindreds H4940 of the people, H5971 give H3051 unto the LORD H3068 glory H3519 and strength. H5797

29 Give H3051 unto the LORD H3068 the glory H3519 due unto his name: H8034 bring H5375 an offering, H4503 and come H935 before H6440 him: worship H7812 the LORD H3068 in the beauty H1927 of holiness. H6944

30 Fear H2342 before H6440 him, all the earth: H776 the world H8398 also shall be stable, H3559 that it be not moved. H4131

31 Let the heavens H8064 be glad, H8055 and let the earth H776 rejoice: H1523 and let men say H559 among the nations, H1471 The LORD H3068 reigneth. H4427

32 Let the sea H3220 roar, H7481 and the fulness H4393 thereof: let the fields H7704 rejoice, H5970 and all that is therein.

33 Then shall the trees H6086 of the wood H3293 sing out H7442 at the presence H6440 of the LORD, H3068 because he cometh H935 to judge H8199 the earth. H776

34 O give thanks H3034 unto the LORD; H3068 for he is good; H2896 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever. H5769

35 And say H559 ye, Save H3467 us, O God H430 of our salvation, H3468 and gather us together, H6908 and deliver H5337 us from the heathen, H1471 that we may give thanks H3034 to thy holy H6944 name, H8034 and glory H7623 in thy praise. H8416

36 Blessed H1288 be the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 for ever H5769 and ever. H5769 And all the people H5971 said, H559 Amen, H543 and praised H1984 the LORD. H3068

37 So he left H5800 there before H6440 the ark H727 of the covenant H1285 of the LORD H3068 Asaph H623 and his brethren, H251 to minister H8334 before H6440 the ark H727 continually, H8548 as every day's H3117 work H1697 required: H3117

38 And Obededom H5654 with their brethren, H251 threescore H8346 and eight; H8083 Obededom H5654 also the son H1121 of Jeduthun H3038 and Hosah H2621 to be porters: H7778

39 And Zadok H6659 the priest, H3548 and his brethren H251 the priests, H3548 before H6440 the tabernacle H4908 of the LORD H3068 in the high place H1116 that was at Gibeon, H1391

40 To offer H5927 burnt offerings H5930 unto the LORD H3068 upon the altar H4196 of the burnt offering H5930 continually H8548 morning H1242 and evening, H6153 and to do according to all that is written H3789 in the law H8451 of the LORD, H3068 which he commanded H6680 Israel; H3478

41 And with them Heman H1968 and Jeduthun, H3038 and the rest H7605 that were chosen, H1305 who were expressed H5344 by name, H8034 to give thanks H3034 to the LORD, H3068 because his mercy H2617 endureth for ever; H5769

42 And with them Heman H1968 and Jeduthun H3038 with trumpets H2689 and cymbals H4700 for those that should make a sound, H8085 and with musical H7892 instruments H3627 of God. H430 And the sons H1121 of Jeduthun H3038 were porters. H8179

43 And all the people H5971 departed H3212 every man H376 to his house: H1004 and David H1732 returned H5437 to bless H1288 his house. H1004


1 Chronicles 16:1-43 American Standard (ASV)

1 And they brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before God.

2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt-offering 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 portion `of flesh', and a cake of raisins.

4 And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister 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 psalteries 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 did David first ordain to give thanks unto Jehovah, by the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

8 O give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known his doings among the peoples.

9 Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; Talk ye of all his marvellous works.

10 Glory ye in his holy name; Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah.

11 Seek ye Jehovah and his strength; Seek his face evermore.

12 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,

13 O ye seed of Israel his servant, Ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.

14 He is Jehovah our God; His judgments are in all the earth.

15 Remember his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations,

16 `The covenant' which he made with Abraham, And his oath unto Isaac,

17 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a statute, To 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 but a few men in number, Yea, very few, and sojourners in it;

20 And they went about from nation to nation, And from one kingdom to another people.

21 He suffered no man to do them wrong; Yea, he 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; Show forth his salvation from day to day.

24 Declare his glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples.

25 For great is Jehovah, 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 Jehovah made the heavens.

27 Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and gladness are in his place.

28 Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength;

29 Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come before him: Worship Jehovah in holy array.

30 Tremble before him, all the earth: The world also is established that it cannot be moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; 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 wood sing for joy before Jehovah; For he cometh to judge the earth.

34 O give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever.

35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, And gather us together and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks unto thy holy name, And to triumph in thy praise.

36 Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And all the people said, Amen, and praised Jehovah.

37 So he left there, before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required;

38 and Obed-edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be 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 burnt-offerings unto Jehovah upon the altar of burnt-offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of Jehovah, which he commanded unto Israel;

41 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Jehovah, because his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever;

42 and with them Heman and Jeduthun `with' trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and `with' instruments for the songs of God; and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate.

43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.


1 Chronicles 16:1-43 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And they bring in the ark of God, and set it up in the midst of the tent that David hath stretched out for it, and they bring near burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before God;

2 and David ceaseth from offering the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings, and blesseth the people in the name of Jehovah,

3 and giveth a portion to every man of Israel, both man and woman: to each a cake of bread, and a measure of wine, and a grape-cake.

4 And he putteth before the ark of Jehovah, of the Levites, ministers, even to make mention of, and to thank, and to give praise to Jehovah, God of Israel,

5 Asaph the head, and his second Zechariah; Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with instruments of psalteries, and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals is sounding;

6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests `are' with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

7 On that day then hath David given at the beginning to give thanks to Jehovah by the hand of Asaph and his brethren: --

8 Give thanks to Jehovah, call in His name, Make known among the peoples His doings.

9 Sing ye to Him, sing psalms to Him, Meditate on all His wonders.

10 Boast yourselves in His holy name, Rejoice doth the heart of those seeking Jehovah.

11 Seek ye Jehovah and His strength, Seek His face continually.

12 Remember His wonders that He did, His signs, and the judgments of His mouth,

13 O seed of Israel, His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!

14 He `is' Jehovah our God, In all the earth `are' His judgments.

15 Remember ye to the age His covenant, The word He commanded -- To a thousand generations,

16 Which He hath made with Abraham, And His oath -- to Isaac,

17 And He establisheth it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel -- a covenant age-during.

18 Saying: To thee I give the land of Canaan, The portion of your inheritance,

19 When ye are few of number, As a little thing, and sojourners in it.

20 And they go up and down, From nation unto nation, And from a kingdom unto another people.

21 He hath not suffered any to oppress them, And reproveth on their account kings:

22 Come not against Mine anointed ones, And against My prophets do not evil.

23 Sing to Jehovah, all the earth, Proclaim from day unto day His salvation.

24 Rehearse among nations His glory, Among all the peoples His wonders.

25 For great `is' Jehovah, and praised greatly, And fearful He `is' above all gods.

26 For all gods of the peoples `are' nought, And Jehovah the heavens hath made.

27 Honour and majesty `are' before Him, Strength and joy `are' in His place.

28 Ascribe to Jehovah, ye families of peoples, Ascribe to Jehovah honour and strength.

29 Ascribe to Jehovah the honour of His name, Lift up a present, and come before Him. Bow yourselves to Jehovah, In the beauty of holiness.

30 Be pained before Him, all the earth:

31 Also, established is the world, It is not moved! The heavens rejoice, and the earth is glad, And they say among nations: Jehovah hath reigned.

32 Roar doth the sea, and its fulness, Exult doth the field, and all that `is' in it,

33 Then sing do trees of the forest, From the presence of Jehovah, For He hath come to judge the earth!

34 Give thanks to Jehovah, for good, For to the age, `is' His kindness,

35 And say, Save us, O God of our salvation, And gather us, and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks to Thy holy name, To triumph in Thy praise.

36 Blessed `is' Jehovah, God of Israel, From the age and unto the age;' And all the people say, `Amen,' and have given praise to Jehovah.

37 And he leaveth there before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, for Asaph and for his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, according to the matter of a day in its day,

38 both Obed-Edom and their brethren, sixty and eight, and Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and Hosah for gatekeepers,

39 and Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of Jehovah, in a high place that `is' in Gibeon,

40 to cause to ascend burnt-offerings to Jehovah, on the altar of burnt-offering continually, morning and evening, and for all that is written in the law of Jehovah, that He charged on Israel.

41 And with them `are' Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen, who were defined by name, to give thanks to Jehovah, for to the age `is' His kindness,

42 and with them -- Heman and Jeduthun -- `are' trumpets and cymbals for those sounding, and instruments of the song of God, and the sons of Jeduthun `are' at the gate.

43 And all the people go, each to his house, and David turneth round to bless his house.


1 Chronicles 16:1-43 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

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.


1 Chronicles 16:1-43 World English Bible (WEB)

1 They brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt offerings and peace-offerings before God.

2 When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh.

3 He dealt to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a portion [of flesh], and a cake of raisins.

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 psalteries 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 known his doings among the peoples.

9 Sing to him, sing praises to him; Talk you of all his marvelous works.

10 Glory you in his holy name; Let the heart of them rejoice who seek Yahweh.

11 Seek you 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 Confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant,

18 Saying, To you will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance;

19 When you were but a few men in number, Yes, very few, and foreigners 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 [Saying], Don't touch my anointed ones, Do my prophets no harm.

23 Sing to Yahweh, all the earth; Show forth his salvation from day to day.

24 Declare his glory among the nations, 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;

29 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name: Bring an offering, and come before him: Worship Yahweh in holy array.

30 Tremble before him, all the earth: The world also is established that it can't be moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let them say among the nations, Yahweh reigns.

32 Let the sea roar, and the fullness of it; Let the field exult, and all that is therein;

33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing for joy before Yahweh; For he comes to judge the earth.

34 Oh give thanks to Yahweh; for he is good; For his loving kindness endures forever.

35 Say you, Save us, God of our salvation, Gather us together and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks to your holy name, To triumph in your praise.

36 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, Amen, and praised Yahweh.

37 So he left there, before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, Asaph and his brothers, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required;

38 and Obed-edom with their brothers, sixty-eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers;

39 and Zadok the priest, and his brothers the priests, before the tent of Yahweh in the high place that was at Gibeon,

40 to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of Yahweh, which he commanded to Israel;

41 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his loving kindness endures forever;

42 and with them Heman and Jeduthun [with] trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and [with] instruments for the songs of God; and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate.

43 All the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.


1 Chronicles 16:1-43 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Then they took in the ark of God and put it inside the tent which David had put up for it; and they made offerings, burned offerings and peace-offerings before God.

2 And when David had come to an end of making the burned offerings and peace-offerings, he gave the people a blessing in the name of the Lord.

3 And he gave to everyone, every man and woman of Israel, a cake of bread, some meat, and a cake of dry grapes.

4 And he put some of the Levites before the ark of the Lord as servants, to keep the acts of the Lord in memory, and to give worship and praise to the Lord, the God of Israel:

5 Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Uzziel and Shemiramoth and Jehiel and Mattithiah and Eliab and Benaiah and Obed-edom and Jeiel, with corded instruments of music; and Asaph, with brass instruments sounding loudly;

6 And Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests, blowing horns all the time before the ark of the agreement of God.

7 Then on that day David first made the giving of praise to the Lord the work of Asaph and his brothers.

8 O give praise to the Lord; give honour to his name, talking of his doings among the peoples.

9 Let your voice be sounded in songs and melody; let all your thoughts be of the wonder of his works.

10 Have glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who are searching after the Lord be glad.

11 Let your search be for the Lord and for his strength; let your hearts ever be turned to him.

12 Keep in mind the great works which he has done; his wonders, and the decisions of his mouth;

13 O you seed of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his loved ones.

14 He is the Lord our God: he is judge of all the earth.

15 He has kept his agreement in mind for ever, the word which he gave for a thousand generations;

16 The agreement which he made with Abraham, and his oath to Isaac;

17 And he gave it to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an eternal agreement;

18 Saying, To you will I give the land of Canaan, the measured line of your heritage:

19 When you were still small in number, and strange in the land;

20 When they went about from one nation to another, and from one kingdom to another people;

21 He would not let anyone do them wrong; he even kept back kings because of them,

22 Saying, Put not your hand on those who have been marked with my holy oil, and do my prophets no wrong.

23 Make songs to the Lord, all the earth; give the good news of his salvation day by day.

24 Make clear his glory to the nations, and his wonders to all the peoples.

25 For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised; and he is more to be feared than all other gods.

26 For all the gods of the nations are false gods; but the Lord made the heavens.

27 Honour and glory are before him: strength and joy are in his holy place.

28 Give to the Lord, O you families of the peoples, give to the Lord glory and strength.

29 Give to the Lord the glory of his name; take with you an offering and come before him; give worship to the Lord in holy robes.

30 Be in fear before him, all the earth: the world is ordered so that it may not be moved.

31 Let the heavens have joy and let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, The Lord is King.

32 Let the sea be thundering with all its waters; let the field be glad, and everything which is in it;

33 Then let all the trees of the wood be sounding with joy before the Lord, for he is come to be the judge of the earth.

34 O give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy is unchanging for ever.

35 And say, Be our saviour, O God of our salvation, and let us come back, and give us salvation from the nations, so that we may give honour to your holy name and have glory in your praise.

36 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, for ever and for ever. And all the people said, So be it; and gave praise to the Lord.

37 So he made Asaph and his brothers keep their places there before the ark of the agreement of the Lord, to do whatever had to be done before the ark at all times day by day:

38 And Obed-edom, the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah, with their brothers, sixty-eight of them, to be door-keepers:

39 And Zadok the priest, with his brothers the priests, before the House of the Lord in the high place at Gibeon;

40 To give burned offerings to the Lord on the altar of burned offerings morning and evening, every day, as it is ordered in the law of the Lord which he gave to Israel;

41 And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were marked out by name to give praise to the Lord, for his mercy is unchanging for ever;

42 And Heman and Jeduthun had horns and brass instruments sounding loudly, and instruments of music for the songs of God; and the sons of Jeduthun were to be at the door.

43 And all the people went away, every man to his house; and David went back to give a blessing to his family.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Chronicles 16

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 16 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 16

This chapter concludes that great affair of the settlement of the ark in the royal city, and with it the settlement of the public worship of God during the reign of David. Here is,

  • I. The solemnity with which the ark was fixed (v. 1-6).
  • II. The psalm David gave to be sung on this occasion (v. 7-36).
  • III. The settling of the stated public worship of God in order thenceforward (v. 37-43).

1Ch 16:1-6

It was a glorious day when the ark of God was safely lodged in the tent David had pitched for it. That good man had his heart much upon it, could not sleep contentedly till it was done, Ps. 132:4, 5.

  • I. The circumstances of the ark were now,
    • 1. Better than what they had been. It had been obscure in a country town, in the fields of the wood; now it was removed to a public place, to the royal city, where all might resort to it. It had been neglected, as a despised broken vessel; now it was attended with veneration, and God was enquired of by it. It had borrowed a room in a private house, which it enjoyed by courtesy; now it had a habitation of its own entirely to itself, was set in the midst of it, and not crowded into a corner. Note, Though God's word and ordinances may be clouded and eclipsed for a time, they shall at length shine out of obscurity. Yet,
    • 2. They were much short of what was intended in the next reign, when the temple was to be built. This was but a tent, a poor mean dwelling; yet this was the tabernacle, the temple which David in his psalms often speaks of with so much affection. David, who pitched a tent for the ark and continued steadfast to it, did far better than Solomon, who built a temple for it and yet in his latter end turned his back upon it. The church's poorest times were its purest.
  • II. Now David was easy in his mind, the ark was fixed, and fixed near him. Now see how he takes care,
    • 1. That God shall have the glory of it. Two ways he gives him honour upon this occasion:-
      • (1.) By sacrifices (v. 1), burnt-offerings in adoration of his perfections, peace-offerings in acknowledgment of his favours.
      • (2.) By songs: he appointed Levites to record this story in a song for the benefit of others, or to celebrate it themselves by thanking and praising the God of Israel, v. 4. All our rejoicings must express themselves in thanksgivings to him from whom all our comforts are received.
    • 2. That the people shall have the joy of it. They shall fare the better for this day's solemnity; for he gives them all what is worth coming for, not only a royal treat in honour of the day (v. 3), in which 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); but (which is far better) he gives them also a blessing in the name of the Lord, as a father, as a prophet, v. 2. He prayed to God for them, and commended them to his grace. In the name of the Word of the Lord (so the Targum), the essential eternal Word, who is Jehovah, and through whom all blessings come to us.

1Ch 16:7-36

We have here the thanksgiving psalm which David, by the Spirit, composed, and delivered to the chief musician, to be sung upon occasion of the public entry the ark made into the tent prepared for it. Some think he appointed this hymn to be daily used in the temple service, as duly as the day came; whatever other psalms they sung, they must not omit this. David had penned many psalms before this, some in the time of his trouble by Saul. This was composed before, but was now first delivered into the hand of Asaph, for the use of the church. It is gathered out of several psalms (from the beginning to v. 23 is taken from Ps. 105:1, etc.; and then v. 23 to v. 34 is the whole 96th psalm, with little variation; v. 34 is taken from Ps. 136:1 and divers others; and then the last two verses are taken from the close of Ps. 106), which some think warrants us to do likewise, and make up hymns out of David's psalms, a part of one and a part of another put together so as may be most proper to express and excite the devotion of Christians. These psalms will be best expounded in their proper places (if the Lord will); here we take them as they are put together, with a design to thank the Lord (v. 7), a great duty, to which we need to be excited and in which we need to be assisted.

  • 1. Let God be glorified in our praises; let his honour be the centre in which all the lines meet. Let us glorify him by our thanksgivings (Give thanks to the Lord), by our prayers (Call on his name, v. 8), by our songs (Sing psalms unto him), by our discourse-Talk of all his wondrous works, v. 9. Let us glorify him as a great God, and greatly to be praised (v. 25), as supreme God (above all gods), as sole God, for all others are idols, v. 26. Let us glorify him as most bright and blessed in himself (Glory and honour are in his presence, v. 27), as creator (The Lord made the heavens), as the ruler of the whole creation (His judgments are in all the earth, v. 14), and as ours-He is the Lord our God. Thus must we give unto the Lord the glory due to his name (v. 28, 29), and own it, and much more, his due.
  • 2. Let other be edified and instructed: Make known his deeds among the people (v. 8), declare his glory among the heathen (v. 24), that those who are strangers to him may be led into acquaintance with him, allegiance to him, and the adoration of him. Thus must we serve the interests of his kingdom among men, that all the earth may fear before him, v. 30.
  • 3. Let us be ourselves encouraged to triumph and trust in God. Those that give glory to God's name are allowed to glory in it (v. 10), to value themselves upon their relation to God and venture themselves upon his promise to them. Let the heart of those rejoice that seek the Lord, much more of those that have found him. Seek him, and his strength, and his face: that is, seek him by the ark of his strength, in which he manifests himself.
  • 4. Let the everlasting covenant be the great matter of our joy and praise (v. 15): Be mindful of his covenant. In the parallel place it is, He will be ever mindful of it, Ps. 105:8. Seeing God never will forget it, we never must. The covenant is said to be commanded, because God has obliged us to obey the conditions of it, and because he has both authority to make the promise and ability to make it good. This covenant was ancient, yet never to be forgotten. It was made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were long since dead (v. 16-18), yet still sure to the spiritual seed, and the promises of it pleadable.
  • 5. Let God's former mercies to his people of old, to our ancestors and our predecessors in profession, be commemorated by us now with thankfulness to his praise. Let it be remembered how God protected the patriarchs in their unsettled condition. When they came strangers to Canaan and were sojourners in it, when they were few and might easily have been swallowed up, when they were continually upon the remove and so exposed, when there were many that bore them ill-will and sought to do them mischief, yet no man was suffered to do them wrong-not the Canaanites, Philistines, Egyptians. Kings were reproved and plagued for their sakes. Pharaoh was so, and Abimelech. They were the anointed of the Lord, sanctified by his grace, sanctified by his glory, and had received the unction of the Spirit. They were his prophets, instructed in the things of God themselves and commissioned to instruct others (and prophets are said to be anointed, 1 Ki. 19:16; Isa. 61:1); therefore, if any touch them, they touch the apple of God's eye; if any harm them, it is at their peril, v. 19-22.
  • 6. Let the great salvation of the Lord be especially the subject of our praises (v. 23): Show forth from day to day his salvation, that is (says bishop Patrick), his promised salvation by Christ. We have reason to celebrate that from day to day; for we daily receive the benefits of it, and it is a subject that can never be exhausted.
  • 7. Let God be praised by a due and constant attendance upon him in the ordinances he has appointed: Bring an offering, then the fruit of the ground, now the fruit of the lips, of the heart (Heb. 13:15), and worship him in the beauty of holiness, in the holy places and in a holy manner, v. 29. Holiness is the beauty of the Lord, the beauty of all sanctified souls and all religious performances.
  • 8. Let God's universal monarchy be the fear and joy of all people. Let us reverence it: Fear before him, all the earth. And let us rejoice in it: Let the heavens be glad and rejoice, because the Lord reigns, and by his providence establishes the world, so that, though it be moved, it cannot be removed, nor the measures broken which Infinite Wisdom has taken in the government of it, v. 30, 31.
  • 9. Let the prospect of the judgment to come inspire us with an awful pleasure, Let earth and sea, fields and woods, though in the great day of the Lord they will all be consumed, yet rejoice that he will come, doth come, to judge the earth, v. 32, 33.
  • 10. In the midst of our praises we must not forget to pray for the succour and relief of those saints and servants of God that are in distress (v. 35): Save us, gather us, deliver us from the heathen, those of us that are scattered and oppressed. When we are rejoicing in God's favours to us we must remember our afflicted brethren, and pray for their salvation and deliverance as our own. We are members one of another; and therefore when we mean, "Lord, save them,' it is not improper to say, "Lord, save us.'
  • Lastly, Let us make God the Alpha and Omega of our praises. David begins with (v. 8), Give thanks to the Lord; he concludes (v. 36), Blessed be the Lord. And whereas in the place whence this doxology is taken (Ps. 106:48) it is added, Let all the people say, Amen, Hallelujah, here we find they did according to that directory: All the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord. When the Levites had finished this psalm or prayer and praise, then, and not till then, the people that attended signified their consent and concurrence by saying, Amen, And so they praised the Lord, much affected no doubt with this newly instituted way of devotion, which had been hitherto used in the schools of the prophets only, 1 Sa. 10:5. And, if this way of praising God please the Lord better than an ox or a bullock that has horns and hoofs, the humble shall see it and be glad, Ps. 69:31, 32.

1Ch 16:37-43

The worship of God is not only to be the work of a solemn day now and then, brought in to grace a triumph; but it ought to be the work of every day. David therefore settles it here for a constancy, puts it into a method, which he obliged those that officiated to observe in their respective posts. In the tabernacle of Moses, and afterwards in the temple of Solomon, the ark and the altar were together; but, ever since Eli's time, they had been separated, and still continued so till the temple was built. I cannot conceive what reason there was why David, who knew the law and was zealous for it, did not either bring the ark to Gibeon, where the tabernacle and the altar were, or bring them to Mount Zion, where the ark was. Perhaps the curtains and hangings of Moses's tabernacle were so worn with time and weather that they were not fit to be removed, nor fit to be a shelter for the ark; and yet he would not make all new, but only a tent for the ark, because the time was at hand when the temple should be built. Whatever was the reason, all David's time they were asunder, but he took care that neither of them should be neglected.

  • 1. At Jerusalem, where the ark was, Asaph and his brethren were appointed to attend, to minister before the ark continually, with songs of praise, as every day's work required, v. 37. 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 (Ps. 141:2), so early did spiritual worship take place of ceremonial.
  • 2. Yet the ceremonial worship, being of divine institution, must by no means be omitted; and therefore at Gibeon were the altars where the priests attended, for their work was to sacrifice and burn incense, which they did continually, morning and evening, according to the law of Moses, v. 39, 40. These must be kept up because, however in their own nature they were inferior to the moral services of prayer and praise, yet, as they were types of the mediation of Christ, they had a great deal of honour put upon them, and the observance of them was of great consequence. Here Zadok attended, to preside in the service of the altar; as (it is probable) Abiathar settled at Jerusalem, to attend the ark, because he had the breast-plate of judgment, which must be consulted before the ark: this is the reason why we read in David's time both Zadok and Abiathar were the priests (2 Sa. 8:17; 20:25), one where the altar was and the other where the ark was. At Gibeon, where the altars were, David also appointed singers to give thanks to the Lord, and the burden of all their songs must be, For his mercy endureth for ever, v. 41. They did it with musical instruments of God, such instruments as were appointed and appropriated to this service, not such as they used on other occasions. Between common mirth and holy joy there is a vast difference, and the limits and distances between them must be carefully observed and kept up. Matters being thus settled, and the affairs of religion put into a happy channel,
    • (1.) The people were satisfied, and went home pleased.
    • (2.) David returned to bless his house, resolving to keep up family worship still, which public worship must not supersede.