16:1 They [the qualified Levites] brought [the ark had been left at Kiriath Jearim (1 Sam. 5–7] the ark of God [the symbol of God’s presence] and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings [also known as “peace offerings” (KJV), included fellowship meal between worshiper and priest (cf. Lev. 7:11-21, 28-36); represented restored fellowship between the worshiper and the Lord] before God.

16:2 After David had finished sacrificing [through mediation of qualified priests as per v. 1] the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.

16:3 Then he [David] gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins [these baked goods were for the sacrificial meal following fellowship offerings (Lev. 3:1-17; 7:11-21,28-36] to each Israelite man and woman.

16:4 He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:

Note: What various worship responsibilities are assigned to those who lead worship today?

16:5 Asaph [represented the senior Levitical clan of Gershon (6:39-43); Asaph and his descendants composed twelve OT psalms (Pss. 50, 73-83)] was the chief, Zechariah second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals,

16:6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests [the two priests listed here were permanently assigned to service before the ark] were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

16:7 That day [the day the ark of the covenant was placed in its new location in Jerusalem] David first committed to Asaph [a descendant of Levi] and his associates this psalm [cf. Pss. 96, 105, 106] of thanks to the LORD:

Note: Compare the following verses:
• 1 Chronicles 16:8-22 to Psalm 105:1-15
• 1 Chronicles 16:23-33 to Psalm 96
• 1 Chronicles 16:34-36 to Psalm 106:1, 47-48

16:8 [God’s works: vv. 8-13] [note three aspects of true worship…] [1] Give thanks to the LORD [in Heb. the personal name of Israel’s God], [2] call [cf. Ps. 79:6; Rom. 10:13] on his name; [3] make known [those who have experienced what the Lord has done should not/must not remain silent; cf. Ps. 66:16] among the nations [peoples; those who do not know; cf. Ps. 18:49] what he has done [cf. Ps. 9:1; 103:7].

Note: Over 2000 people groups are still waiting to hear the message of what God has done through Christ to provide salvation.

16:9 Sing [those listening would hear about what God had done] to him, sing praise [means to speak of someone’s excellence] to him; tell of all his wonderful acts [either cosmic deeds or historical actions that were beyond human capabilities].

Note: Do you talk to others about what God has done and is doing in your life?

16:10 Glory [an imperative summons for Israel to praise God] in his holy name [God’s name reflected who God is (His attributes and activity)]; let the hearts [the center of human will or volition in Heb. thought] of those who seek the LORD rejoice [cf. Ps. 40:16].

16:11 Look to [1] the LORD and [2] his strength [only true and utterly reliable source of protection]; seek [3] his face [His presence; sadly, some only seek the provision that comes from His hand] always [continually; not just in times of crisis].

16:12 Remember [more than an intellectual exercise; includes acting upon that which is remembered; forgetfulness is an indication of ingratitude] the wonders [same Heb. Word translated “wonderful acts” in 16:9; word denotes what human beings cannot do; cf. Ps. 40:5] he has done, his miracles [special displays of God’s power], and the judgments [judicial decisions] he pronounced,

Note: How can remembering the wonders God has done in the past encourage you in the present?

16:13 O descendants of Israel [Ps. 105:6 uses “Abraham” instead of “Israel”] his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.

16:14 [God’s words: vv. 14-22] He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all [defines the scope of His jurisdiction] the earth.

16:15 He remembers his covenant [a legal contract; here probably refers to covenant established at Mt. Sinai] forever, the word [the word of promise; cf. Ps. 105:9-10] he commanded [ordained], for a thousand generations [perpetually or forever; cf. Deut. 7:9 (Ex. 20:6)],

16:16 the covenant he made with Abraham [cf. Gen. 12:1-7], the oath [a binding promise; was often associated with covenant making] he swore to Isaac [Abraham’s son].

16:17 [promise made to Abraham was passed from generation to generation to the time of David] He confirmed it to Jacob [cf. Gen. 28:13] as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:

16:18 “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.”

16:19 When they were but few in number [cf. Jacob’s words in Gen. 34:30], few indeed, and strangers [sojourners] in it [the land of their future inheritance; cf. Heb. 11:9],

16:20 they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another [from one dangerous location to another (Egypt, wilderness, Canaan].

16:21 He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings [Pharaoh of Egypt (Gen. 12:17) and Abimelech of Gerar (Gen. 20:3)]:

16:22 “Do not touch [cf. Gen. 26:11] my anointed ones [those set apart by God; here used as a reference to the patriarchs]; do my prophets [here used as a reference to the patriarchs, called prophets in sense of being recipients of God’s special revelation] no harm.”

16:23 [God’s wonder: vv. 23-36] Sing to [Godward direction] the LORD, all the earth; proclaim [manward direction; those who have experienced His salvation have a responsibility to eagerly proclaim it and not remain silent (cf. Ps. 40:16; 71:23; Rom. 1:15)] his [God is the source and giver of salvation; cf. Ps. 51:12] salvation day after day [continuously].

16:24 Declare [to your own generation and to the next generation (cf. Ps. 71:17-18)] his glory among the nations [people groups (cf. Matt. 24:14; 28:19)], his marvelous deeds [cf. Ps. 40:5] among all [none should be excluded; “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9)] peoples.

16:25 For great [“his greatness no one can fathom” (Ps. 145:3)] is the LORD and most worthy [because of who He is and what He has done] of praise [“We cannot praise Him too much, too often, too zealously, too carefully, too joyfully.” -C.H. Spurgeon]; he is to be feared [reverence produced by respect for God’s holiness and power] above [cf. Ps. 89:6-7] all gods [false, alleged, worthless, lifeless gods or images; cf. Ps. 86:8; 97:7; 106:28].

Note: Why is the Lord worthy of praise and our exclusive worship? What sets Him apart from the many pagan gods worshiped by Israel’s neighbors?

16:26 For all [without exception] the gods of the nations are idols [lifeless images made by human hands; literally “nonentities” or “no gods” from root meaning “to be weak, deficient”], but [unlike lifeless and impotent idols] the LORD made [only the living God can make/create] the heavens [cf. Ps. 33:6; 102:25].

16:27 Splendor and majesty [“you are clothed with splendor and majesty” (Ps. 104:1b)] are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place [presumably refers to the site where the ark was located, the place of worship].

16:28 Ascribe [lit. give; acknowledge; to attribute to a specific cause, source, or origin] to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe [recognize His glory and strength] to the LORD glory [originally described something’s physical weight; later referred to person’s importance or prominence in the sense of honor] and strength,

16:29 ascribe to the LORD the glory due [all conceivable glory is due Him] his name. Bring an offering [refers to entire OT sacrificial system; way to “ascribe to the Lord” or to acknowledge God] and come before him; worship [the proper human response to God’s presence; literally means “to bow down”] the LORD in the splendor of his holiness [literally, “an adornment of holiness”].

Quote: “For to worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God.” (Archbishop William Temple)

16:30 Tremble [“There is a sacred trembling, which is quite consistent with joy…” -C.H. Spurgeon] before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

16:31 [David called on nature to join the chorus of praise to God (vv. 31-33)] Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”

16:32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!

16:33 Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth [the whole earth is under His jurisdiction].

16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good [Heb. term depicts the absolute superiority of God when compared to all else]; his love [designates God’s covenant love for His people] endures forever [limitless].

Note: Verses 34-36 originally come from Psalm 106:1,47-48.

16:35 Cry out, “Save us, O God our Savior [the only One who can deliver humanity from its plight]; gather us and deliver us from the nations [like the Philistines], that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise.”

16:36 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people [those present] said “Amen” [literally, “firm, steady” and could be rendered “True indeed!”] and “Praise the LORD.” [“Hallelu Yah!”]

16:37 David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.

16:38 He also left Obed-Edom and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were gatekeepers.

16:39 David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon

16:40 to present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the LORD, which he had given Israel.

16:41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, “for his love [Heb. “chesed”] endures forever.”

16:42 Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

16:43 Then all the people left, each for his own home, and David returned home to bless his family