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.
brought the ark. See note on 1 Chronicles 15:3 . This was in 951-950 B.C. A Sabbatic year.
the ark. See notes on 1 Chronicles 13:3 , and Exodus 25:22 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . See note on 1 Chronicles 14:10-16 .
the tent. See note on 1 Chronicles 15:1 .
offered = brought near. Hebrew. karab. App-43 .
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.
David. Not with his own hand, but by the priests'.
offering = offering up. Hebrew. 'alah. App-43 .
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.
every one = every one, to a man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .
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:
to record. Compare titles of Psalms 38 (Psalms 38:1 ) and 70 (Psalms 70:1 )
5.
Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom: 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.
continually: i.e. morning and evening, as prescribed.
7.
Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.
this psalm. Supply the Ellipsis thus: "Delivered first [the following words] to thank", &c. Other Psalms were Proverbs 5:11 ; Pro 5:68 . Originally provided for this event, Psalms 68 was afterward divided up and incorporated in Psalms 105:1-15 ; Psalms 96:1-13 ; Psalms 106:1 , Psalms 106:47 , Psalms 106:48 . Exactly the same has been done since then by many human authors. It is those who say they "treat the Bible like any other book" who deny to the Divine Author this right to do as He will with His own.
8.
Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
people = Peoples.
9.
Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
Talk ye = meditate.
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.
His strength. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 . "Strength" put for the Ark, which was the sign of the presence of Jehovah, and the symbol of His strength. Compare Psalms 105:4 with Psalms 132:8 , and see note on 1 Chronicles 13:3 and Exodus 25:22 .
12.
Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
judgments = righteous rules.
13.
O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Israel. When adapted for more general worship, in Psalms 105 , this was changed to the more general term "Abraham" (1 Chronicles 16:6 ).
children = sons.
Jacob. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 .
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;
Be ye mindful. This was specially for this occasion. In Psalms 105:8 , where it is for more general use, David (in editing) changed it to "He hath remembered". See note on 1 Chronicles 16:7 .
16.
Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;
with Abraham . . . Isaac. See note on Genesis 50:24 , and compare Genesis 17:2 ; Genesis 26:3 ; Genesis 28:13 .
17.
And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
Jacob. See note on Genesis 50:24 and 1 Chronicles 16:13 above.
18.
Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
lot = measuring line. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the boundaries marked out by it.
19.
When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it.
ye. In Psalms 105:12 it is "they". See notes on verses: 1 Chronicles 16:13 and 1 Chronicles 16:15 above.
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,
do them wrong = oppress them. Hebrew. 'ashak.
22.
Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Mine anointed. Israel was regarded as a kingdom of anointed kings and priests (Exodus 19:6 ).
23.
Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.
24.
Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations.
heathen = nations.
nations = peoples.
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.
people = peoples. Not same word as 1 Chronicles 12:17 .
idols = things of naught, or nothings.
27.
Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
in His place = in His dwelling-place: i.e. the place of the Ark of the Covenant. In Psalms 96:6 , which is more general, it is "in His sanctuary". Compare verses: 1 Chronicles 16:7 and 1 Chronicles 16:15 .
28.
Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give = ascribe, as in Psalms 96:7 , Psalms 96:8 .
kindreds = families.
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.
offering = gift offering. See App-43 .
come before Him. In Psalms 96:8 , which is more general, it is "come into His courts".
the beauty of holiness. Compare 2 Chronicles 20:21 and Psalms 96:9 , from which the meaning seems to be "in His glorious sanctuary".
30.
Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
be not moved. The Creator knows how to speak of the work of His hands.
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.
trees of the wood. Referring specially to the wood at Kirjath-jearim (the city of woods). Compare Psalms 132:6 .
34.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
endureth for ever = is age-abiding.
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.
And say ye. A liturgical direction suited to this special occasion. Not needed for subsequent general use in Psalms 106:47 . See notes. Compare: 1 Chronicles 16:7 and 1 Chronicles 16:15 .
gather us . . . deliver us. David knew from Deuteronomy 4:27 ; Deuteronomy 28:64 ; and Deuteronomy 32 , that the scattering of Israel had been foretold; and this prayer was based upon that revelation. So with Solomon. 1 Kings 8:46-50 .
holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .
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:
before the ark. This was now in Zion (2 Samuel 6:12-17 ). But the altars and vessels were in the Tabernacle at Gibeon (2 Chronicles 1:3-6 ).
Asaph and his brethren. These were left in Zion "before the Ark", while the priests ministered "before the Tabernacle" (see 1 Chronicles 16:39 below), until Divine worship should be reconstructed in the Temple.
38.
And Obed-edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed-edom 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,
the tabernacle. Hebrew. mishkan = dwelling-place. App-40 .
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;
offer = offer up. Hebrew. 'alah . App-43 .
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;
Jeduthun. One of the three directors of the Temple-worship. Compare 1 Chronicles 25:1-6 ; 2 Chronicles 5:12 . A descendant of Merari (Compare 1 Chronicles 16:38 with 1 Chronicles 26:10 ). Called also "Ethan" (1 Chronicles 15:17 , 1 Chronicles 15:19 , and Compare 1 Chronicles 25:1 , 1Ch 25:3 , 1 Chronicles 25:6 ; 2 Chronicles 35:15 ).
mercy = lovingkindness, or, grace.
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.
were porters = were for the gate.
43.
And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.
to bless his house. This was when Michal met him (1 Chronicles 15:29 ).