I Chronicles 16: A Song of Praise and Remembrance

I Chronicles 16 Scripture
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1

So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

2

And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

3

And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.

4

And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, and to record, and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel:

5

Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed–edom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;

6

Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.

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 to nation, and from one kingdom to another people;

21

He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,

22

Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

23

Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to 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 be glad, 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 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 Obed–edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed–edom 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 departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.

I Chronicles 16 Commentary
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I Chronicles 16 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history: the establishment of the Ark of the Covenant in its designated place in Jerusalem. This chapter isn't just about logistics; it's about celebration, worship, and remembrance. After the Ark was settled, David composed a magnificent hymn to the Lord (I Chronicles 16:8-36), weaving together elements of Psalms 95, 105, and 106 to create a powerful expression of gratitude and adoration. This hymn reveals crucial insights into how we should approach God and how we can cultivate a heart of thankfulness.

The Call to Praise and Worship

David's hymn is, at its core, a resounding call to praise and worship God. He urges God's people to sing praises (I Chronicles 16:9), to declare His glory among the nations (I Chronicles 16:24), and to ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name (I Chronicles 16:28-29). This wasn't just a ritualistic performance; it was a heartfelt response to God's character and actions.

Why such exuberant praise? David provides compelling reasons. God provides salvation (I Chronicles 16:23), He created the heavens (I Chronicles 16:26), and He possesses all glory and strength (I Chronicles 16:28). Just as a police officer deserves honor because of the authority his uniform represents, God, in His eternal divinity, deserves our unwavering praise. He is the glorious Creator and Redeemer, and His worthiness of our worship is inherent and unchanging.

The Power of Remembrance and Gratitude

Beyond praise, David emphasizes the importance of remembering God's wonderful deeds (I Chronicles 16:12, 15) and giving Him thanks (I Chronicles 16:8, 34). In the tapestry of life, we inevitably encounter sorrow and difficulty. There will be times when we feel overwhelmed and tempted to give up. It's precisely in these moments that remembering God's goodness becomes essential.

Recalling yesterday's blessings can be the lifeline that sustains us through today's hardships. Reflecting on God's past actions in our lives cultivates a grateful heart, shifting our focus from our problems to His provision. When we cease giving thanks to the Lord, it's often a sign that we've forgotten what He's already done for us. Gratitude is not just a feeling; it's a discipline, a conscious choice to acknowledge God's hand in our lives, both big and small.

I Chronicles 16 offers a timeless lesson: a life of vibrant faith is characterized by both outward expressions of praise and inward cultivation of gratitude. By remembering God's faithfulness and actively thanking Him, we not only honor Him but also strengthen our own hearts to face whatever challenges lie ahead.