1 Chronicles 16

The Ark Gets Placed and Praise Breaks Out

1 They brought in the Ark of God and set it in the tent David had pitched for it. Then they started offering burnt offerings and peace offerings right there in God’s presence.

2 After David finished blessing the offerings, he spoke a blessing over all the people in the name of the LORD.

3 He handed out food to everybody, men and women, a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a raisin cake for each person.

Worship Leaders Are Assigned

4 David assigned some Levites to be stationed in front of the Ark of the LORD, to give thanks, praise, and lift up the LORD, the God of Israel.

5 Asaph was the lead, with Zechariah next. Then came Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed-edom. They played lyres and harps, while Asaph banged the cymbals.

6 The priests Benaiah and Jahaziel kept the trumpets going before the Ark of God, nonstop sound before the LORD.

David’s Song of Praise

7 That day, David dropped a worship song for the first time and handed it off to Asaph and his brothers to sing.

Give God the Glory He Deserves

8 Give thanks to the LORD. Call out to Him. Let the world know what He has done.

9 Sing to Him, rap about Him. Let His wonders echo through your words.

10 Flex in His holy name. Let all those who chase after the LORD catch joy in their hearts.

11 Run after the LORD and His strength. Stay in His presence nonstop.

12 Do not forget the miracles He worked, the signs He showed, and the justice He laid down.

13 You descendants of Israel His servant, sons of Jacob, His chosen crew.

14 He is the LORD our God. His judgment hits the whole earth.

15 He never forgets His promise, the word He gave that lasts forever.

16 This was the agreement He made with Abraham, the promise He swore to Isaac.

17 He locked it in as a law for Jacob, a forever covenant with Israel.

18 He said, “I am going to give you the land of Canaan, your piece of the inheritance.”

19 Back when they were just a few deep, barely any numbers, moving from place to place,

20 Wandering from nation to nation, kingdom to kingdom,

21 He did not let anybody mess with them. He even warned kings about them.

22 He said, “Do not touch My anointed ones. Do not do My prophets dirty.”

Sing It Loud, the LORD Reigns

23 Sing to the LORD, all across the earth. Spread His story every single day.

24 Let the nations know how great He is. Put His wonders on blast to the whole world.

25 The LORD is great, real great, and deserves all the praise. He has feared above every so-called god.

26 All those idols are manmade jokes. But the LORD made the whole universe.

27 Power and glory live with Him. Strength and joy come out of His presence.

28 Give it up to the LORD, people everywhere. Bring Him what He has owed, glory and strength.

29 Honor His name. Show up with your gifts. Bow down and worship Him in holiness.

30 Stand in awe of Him, all you on earth. The world is locked in, it will not be shaken.

31 Let the skies shout, let the earth be glad. Let the nations say it loud: “The LORD is King!”

32 Let the seas roar and everything in it celebrate.

33 Let the trees in the forest sway in praise, because the LORD is coming to bring justice to the earth.

Thank God, He Never Fails (Verses 34-36)

34 Give thanks to the LORD, His love never quits.

35 Say this: “Save us, God who rescues us. Bring us back, gather us from these nations, so we can shout praise and lift up Your name.”

36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, forever and ever. And the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.

Wrapping It Up and Heading Home

37 David left Asaph and his people in front of the Ark of the LORD to handle the worship duties, keeping it going day in and day out, just like it was supposed to be.

38 He left Obed-edom and 68 others with them. Obed-edom (son of Jeduthun) and Hosah were in charge of guarding the Ark.

39 Meanwhile, David also left Zadok the priest and his boys in front of the tabernacle at the high place in Gibeon.

40 They kept offering burnt sacrifices on the altar every morning and evening, just like the Law of the LORD had commanded.

41 David also picked out Heman, Jeduthun, and others who had been named to give thanks to the LORD, because His love never ends.

42 Heman and Jeduthun were on trumpets and cymbals, with other instruments to praise God. Their sons stood on guard by the gates.

43 After all that, the people dipped out and went back home. David went back to bless his own house too.