1 They brought in God’s ark, and set it in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the LORD’s name. 3 He gave to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. 4 He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the LORD’s ark, and to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud; 6 with 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 the LORD, by the hand of Asaph and his brothers. 8 Oh give thanks to the LORD. Call on his name. Make what he has done known amongst 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 the LORD rejoice. 11 Seek the LORD and his strength. Seek his face forever more. 12 Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth, 13 you offspring of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14 He is the LORD our God. His judgements 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 the LORD, all the earth! Display his salvation from day to day. 24 Declare his glory amongst the nations, and his marvelous works amongst all the 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 peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 27 Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and gladness are in his place. 28 Ascribe to the LORD, you relatives of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! 29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come before him. Worship the LORD 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 amongst the nations, “The LORD reigns!” 32 Let the sea roar, and its fullness! Let the field exalt, and all that is in it! 33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. 34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. 35 Say, “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 the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD. 37 So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the LORD’s covenant, 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 LORD’s tabernacle in the high place that was at Gibeon, 40 to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the LORD’s law, 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 the LORD, 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, each man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, 1706
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Verses 37–43
The worship of God ought to be the work of every day. David put it into order. At Jerusalem, where the ark was, Asaph and his brethren were to minister before the ark continually, with songs of praise. 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. So early did spiritual worship take place of ceremonial. Yet the ceremonial worship, being of Divine institution, must by no means be omitted; therefore at Gibeon, at the altars, the priests attended; for their work was to sacrifice and burn incense; and that they did continually, morning and evening, according to the law of Moses. As the ceremonies were types of the mediation of Christ, the observance of them was of great consequence. The attendance of his appointed ministers is right in itself, and encourages the people.