1 Chronicles 16:7-43

1 Chronicles 16:7-43

[7] Then on that day  David  delivered  first  this psalm to thank  the LORD  into the hand  of Asaph  and his brethren.  [8] Give thanks  unto the LORD,  call  upon his name,  make known  his deeds  among the people.  [9] Sing  unto him, sing psalms  unto him, talk  ye of all his wondrous  works. [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.  [12] Remember  his marvellous  works that he hath done,  his wonders,  and the judgments  of his mouth;  [13] O ye seed  of Israel  his servant,  ye children  of Jacob,  his chosen ones.  [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;  [16] Even of the covenant which he made  with Abraham,  and of his oath  unto Isaac;  [17] And hath confirmed  the same to Jacob  for a law,  and to Israel  for an everlasting  covenant,  [18] Saying,  Unto thee will I give  the land  of Canaan,  the lot  of your inheritance;  [19] When ye were but few,  even a few,  and strangers  in it. [20] And when they went  from nation  and from one kingdom  to another  people;  [21] He suffered  no man  to do them wrong:  yea, he reproved  kings  [22] Saying, Touch  not mine anointed,  and do my prophets  no harm.  [23] Sing  unto the LORD,  all the earth;  shew forth  from day  his salvation.  [24] Declare  his glory  among the heathen;  his marvellous works  among all nations.  [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.  [27] Glory  and honour  are in his presence;  strength  and gladness  are in his place.  [28] Give  unto the LORD,  ye kindreds  of the people,  give  unto the LORD  glory  and strength.  [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.  [30] Fear  before  him, all the earth:  the world  also shall be stable,  that it be not moved.  [31] Let the heavens  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.  [34] O give thanks  unto the LORD;  for he is good;  for his mercy  endureth for ever.  [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.  [36] Blessed  be the LORD  God  of Israel  for 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:  [38] And Obededom  with their brethren,  threescore  and eight;  Obededom  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,  [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;  [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;  [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.  [43] And all the people  every man  to his house:  and David  returned  to bless  his house. 

What does 1 Chronicles 16:7-43 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This hymn ( 1 Chronicles 16:8-36) was probably one of many that the people sang on this occasion. It expressed the hopes and thoughts of the Israelites assembled that the returned exiles needed to emulate. This thanksgiving song is a medley of several psalms ( Psalm 96:1-13; Psalm 105:1-15; Psalm 106:1; Psalm 106:47-48). It stresses that the intended result of Israel"s worship was the salvation of the nations so that they, too, might come and worship Yahweh (cf. Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 42:6; Zechariah 2:10-11).
The hymn began with a call to worship that embraced the nations ( 1 Chronicles 16:8-13; cf. Isaiah 12:4). Then the people extolled God"s greatness and glory ( 1 Chronicles 16:14-22). They stressed God"s unmerited favor toward Israel"s patriarchs in this section. Another call to worship ( 1 Chronicles 16:23-24) led to another section of praise that emphasizes Yahweh"s superiority over the nations" gods ( 1 Chronicles 16:25-26) and His creative power ( 1 Chronicles 16:27-30). The final part of the hymn called on all people to turn to Yahweh in trust and obedience in view of His coming to judge and save ( 1 Chronicles 16:31-36). Throughout this hymn the emphasis rests on God"s deeds, God"s words, God"s greatness, and God"s worth.
David let the sanctuary remain at Gibeon and provided for worship and sacrifice to continue there ( 1 Chronicles 16:39-40). He appointed Zadok as the priest in charge of that tabernacle. Throughout Israel"s history, the ark was a symbol of God"s grace and the altar was a symbol of human response to that grace. Normally they were together, but in Saul"s day they were separate. [1] The ark was in Philistia, Bethshemesh, or Kiriath-jearim, and the tabernacle was at Shiloh or Gibeon.
Chapters13-16 help the reader focus on the presence of God as what is essential, rather than on ritual that, though important, is only a means to an end. Worship is appropriate in view of who God Isaiah , but for worship to be acceptable, God"s people must worship Him as He has prescribed. Furthermore, worship must be God-centered rather than Prayer of Manasseh -centered.