Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 16

Verses 1-43

Chapter 16

In chapter sixteen,

They brought the ark of the covenant, and they set it in the midst of the tent, the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and they offered the burnt sacrifices and the peace offerings before God ( 1 Chronicles 16:1 ).

And then David ordered a choir.

And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record ( 1 Chronicles 16:4 ),

Now that idea of recording was for remembrances. To record the things that God had done so that the people could remember the glorious works of God. And so part of the Psalms are psalms of remembrance. Psalms 38:1-22 and Psalms 70:1-5 , you'll read the titles above the psalms: the psalm of David for remembrance. These are the... what they call the recording psalms or the record psalms. To make a record of what God had done to bring the people into remembrance. And then some of the psalms were those of thanksgiving, giving thanks unto the Lord, and then other psalms of just praise to the Lord God of Israel.

Now Asaph was the chief musician appointed by David, and next to him, Zechariah and these other fellows.

And Asaph made a sound with cymbals ( 1 Chronicles 16:5 );

They played, of course, a psaltery; whatever type of instrument that was. And with harps; whatever a harp was in those days.

Now on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren ( 1 Chronicles 16:7 ).

So David gave him the lyrics, and these guys started singing and worshipping the Lord with this song or psalm.

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 rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvellous works that he hath 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 hath confirmed 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; and when ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. And when you were from went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; he did not allow any man to do you wrong: yea, he reproved the kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew 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 reverenced above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD hath made the heavens. Glory and honor 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 that is due his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Fear before him, all the earth: and the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let the men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: and let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. And then shall the trees of the wood sing out in the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. And say ye, Hosanna, 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. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all of the people said, Amen, and they praised the LORD ( 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 ).

So glorious psalm of thanksgiving and praise that David gave. The first that was sung in the establishing of the worship for the children of Israel as once again they built the tabernacle, brought the ark of the covenant, and began to establish the worship of God once more as the heart of the nation. And so David then appointed Asaph and his brethren to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required.

And the people departed to every man: and David returned to bless his house ( 1 Chronicles 16:43 ).

You know, after this glorious time of praise and worship and all. And then David in chapter seventeen expresses his desire to build a house of God. "