1 Chronicles 16

SO they brought back the ark of God Of these three first verses see on 2 Sam. 6. 17, 18, 19., 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.

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.

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.

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:

Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benajah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps: But Asaph made a sound with cymbals.

Benajah also and Jahaziel the priests, with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

Then on that day David delivered first this psalm Whereby it is implyed that after this he delivered many other Psalms successively into their Hands to be sung by them to the praise of God in his Publick Service. See 2 Sam. 23. 1. 2 Chron. 29. 30. As for the Matter of this Psalm, I shall defer the Explication of it till I come to the Book of Psalms, where we shall find it in the same words, in Psal. 96. & 105. to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren:

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

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

Glory ye in his holy Name, let the heart of them rejoyce that seek the LORD.

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

Remember his marvellous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.

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

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

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

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

And has continued the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance.

When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it;

And when they went from nation to nation, and from one Kingdom to another people.

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

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

Sing unto the LORD all the earth: show forth from day to day his salvation.

Declare his glory among the heathen: his marvellous works among all nations.

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

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

Glory and honour are in his presence: strength and gladness are in his place.

Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people: give unto the LORD glory and strength.

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.

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

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

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

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

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen This might seem an improper and unseasonable Prayer for Davids time when the Israelites were not yet scattered amongst the Heathen, but indeed it was not so: partly because they had already been sadly divided by a Civil War among themselves, and though they were now externally and visibly united under David, yet he might justly think that there were some who yet retained in their Hearts their old Leaven, their hatred of him and their affection to Saul. which might hereafter break forth when Occasion was offered, as it did, 2 Sam. 16. 8. and therefore he justly prays that they may be gathered and united together in hearty Love as well as in outward Show: and partly because this Psalm or Prayer was made by David for the use of the Church not only in that present time, but in future Ages, in which David foresaw by the Spirit of Prophecy, or by consideration of those Ancient and Sacred Predictions, Deut. 31. & 32. That the Israelites would one time or other forsake God, and for their Apostacy be dispersed among the Heathens; when they should have great and particular need of this Prayer., that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.

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

So he left there i. e. He appointed them their Work and Station there., before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every days work required:

And Obed-edom, with their brethren, threescore and eight: Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah Or, door-keepers, as the same Hebrew Word is rendred, ch. 15, 23, 24. of which see the Note on v. 23. to be porters:

And Zadok the priest Not the High-priest, but the second, and the Chief Priest at Gibeon, where the Famous Tabernacle and Altar made by Moses still were, 1 Chron. 21. 29. 2 Chron. 1. 3. where also the Ordinary Sacrifices were offered and the stated and publick Worship of God was performed, as it here follows, for which the Priests were placed there; as the Extraordinary Worship was before the Ark upon great Occasions, as when God was consulted, which was to be done before the Ark and by the High-Priest, Exod. 28. 1..., 20. 21. who now was Abiathar; who therefore abode here with the Ark, when Zadok was left at Gibeon., and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD, in the high place that was at Gibeon,

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:

And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name So exceeding careful was this good King of Gods Worship that he would have no person employed in it, but such as he appointed to it and were fit for it., to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever:

And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals, for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God i. e. Appointed and appropriated to the Worship and Honour of God.: and the sons of Jeduthun were porters.

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