1 Chronicles 16:7

Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7-36) An ode of thanksgiving appropriate to the occasion.

(7) Then on that day David delivered first this psalm.—Rather, On that day then (viz., after the Ark had been placed in its tent, and the minstrels appointed) David originally committed the giving of thanks to Jehovah into the hands of Asaph and his brethren. Thus understood, the verse merely asserts that this was the occasion when “Asaph and his brethren” were first charged with the duties described in 1Chronicles 16:4-6. But the words seem really intended to introduce the long ode which follows, and therefore we should perhaps render, “On that day, then David gave for the first time into the hands of Asaph and his brethren, for giving thanks to Jehovah, Give thanks unto the Lord,’” &c., the whole psalm being regarded as the object of the verb. It may be that this composite hymn was sung in the time of the compiler, on the anniversary of the removal of the Ark, which may in after-times have been commemorated by a special service. Hence it was easy to infer that it was the ode sung at the original service under David. The words “then” (’âz) and “on that day” certainly seem to introduce the psalm. (Comp, their use, Exodus 15:1, and Judges 5:1. Comp. also 2Chronicles 7:6.)

But the ambiguity of 1Chronicles 16:7 may be taken along with other considerations to indicate that this ode does not constitute an original part of the Chronicles, but has been inserted by a later hand. For (1) the Psalm is clearly a cento consisting of portions of three others extant in the Psalter, and so loosely patched together that the seams are quite visible; (2) the Psalter itself does not refer the three psalms in question to David; if, however, the editors of the Psalter had read in the Chronicles a clear assertion of Davidic authorship, they would hardly have left them anonymous; (3) all critics agree that it is not here expressly said that David composed this ode, and, in fact, its ideas and language betray a later origin than the Davidic age; and (4) it contains no specific allusion to the occasion for which it purports to have been written. If no record was preserved of the psalms actually sung at the festival, it was natural that some editor should attempt to supply the apparent lacuna from the Psalter.

Benson Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:7. Then David delivered first this psalm, &c. — Or, as Houbigant renders it, On that same day David delivered this psalm, that Asaph and his brethren might praise the Lord by it — That is, on the day in which David appointed the Levites to sing before God, he gave them the song or hymn which follows. There is, however, nothing in the Hebrew for psalm. And the translation of the LXX. is perfectly accurate, save that they have rendered נתן, he gave, by εταξε, he appointed. It is, Then, in that day David appointed at first (εν αρχη, in the beginning) to praise the Lord, by the hand of Asaph and his brethren. The Hebrew expression, בראשׁ, barosh, at first, or in the beginning, seems to imply that David, after this, delivered many other psalms successively into their hands to be sung by them to the praise of God in his public service: see 2 Samuel 23:1; 2 Chronicles 29:30. The reader will find some explanatory observations on the following verses, Psalms 96. and 105., in which they occur with little or no variation, all but the three last verses of the Psalm.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

16:7-36 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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The occurrence of the name "Jeiel" twice in this list is considered suspicious. Hence, the first "Jeiel" is thought to be a corrupt reading for "Aziel" 1 Chronicles 15:20, or "Jaaziel" 1 Chronicles 15:18.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

1Ch 16:7-43. His Psalm of Thanksgiving.

7. Then on that day David delivered first this psalm—Among the other preparations for this solemn inauguration, the royal bard had composed a special hymn for the occasion. Doubtless it had been previously in the hands of Asaph and his assistants, but it was now publicly committed to them as they entered for the first time on the performance of their sacred duties. It occupies the greater part of this chapter (1Ch 16:8-36), and seems to have been compiled from other psalms of David, previously known to the Israelites, as the whole of it will be found, with very slight variations, in Ps 96:1-13; 105:1-15; 106:47, 48. In the form, however, in which it is given by the sacred historian, it seems to have been the first psalm given for use in the tabernacle service. Abounding, as it does, with the liveliest ascriptions of praise to God for the revelation of His glorious character and the display of His marvellous works and containing, as it does, so many pointed allusions to the origin, privileges, and peculiar destiny of the chosen people, it was admirably calculated to animate the devotions and call forth the gratitude of the assembled multitude.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

David delivered first this psalm; whereby it is implied, that after this he delivered many other psalms successively into their hands, to be sung by them to the praise of God in his public service. See 2 Samuel 23:1 2 Chronicles 29:30. As for the matter of this psalm, I shall defer the explication of it till I come to the Book of Psalms, where we shall find it in the same words, in Psalm 96 Psa 105.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then on that day,.... The ark was brought to Zion, and the above persons appointed to minister before it:

David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren to be sung by them now, and on every proper occasion; and this seems to be the first that was delivered to them; afterwards there were many more, as the titles of the psalms show; the following is composed of part of two others, as they now stand in the book of Psalms. From hence, to the end of 1 Chronicles 16:22 is the same with Psalm 105:1, with a little variation, see the notes there; and from thence to the end of 1 Chronicles 16:33 is Psalm 96:1 which see; and 1 Chronicles 16:34 is the same with Psalm 106:1, see the notes there. See Gill on Psalm 106:1, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 105:1, Psalm 105:2, Psalm 105:3, Psalm 105:4, Psalm 105:5, Psalm 105:6, Psalm 105:7, Psalm 105:8, Psalm 105:9, Psalm 105:10, Psalm 105:11,on Psalm 105:12, Psalm 105:13, Psalm 105:14,on Psalm 105:15

Geneva Study Bible

Then on that day David {c} delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.

(c) David gave them this Psalm to praise the Lord, signifying that in all our enterprises the Name of God should be praised and called upon.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7–36. The Psalm of Praise

7. David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand etc.] R.V. did David first ordain to give thanks unto the LORD, by the hand etc. The psalm which follows consists of Psalm 105:1-15; Psalm 96:1 b – Psalm 96:13 a, Psalm 106:1; Psalm 106:47-48.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - The rendering should run, On that day did David first commit to the hand of Asaph and his brethren to render praises to Jehovah; i.e. after the following manner and words. The word first marks the solemn establishment of set public worship in the metropolis. 1 Chronicles 16:7

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

On that day David first committed it to Asaph and his sons to give thanks to Jahve. נתן is to be connected with בּיד, which is separated from it by several words, and denotes to hand over to, here to commit to, to enjoin upon, since that which David committed to Asaph was the carrying out of a business which he enjoined, not an object which may be given into the hand. ההוּא בּיּום is accented by אז. בּראשׁ, "at the beginning," "at first," to bring out the fact that liturgical singing was then first introduced. אחיו, the brethren of Asaph, are the Levites appointed to the same duty, whose names are given in 1 Chronicles 16:5, 1 Chronicles 16:6. But in order to give a more exact description of the ליהוה הודות committed to Asaph in vv. 8-36, a song of thanks and praise is given, which the Levites were to sing as part of the service with instrumental accompaniment. It is not expressly said that this song was composed by David for this purpose; but if Asaph with his singers was to perform the service committed to him, he must have been provided with the songs of praise (psalms) which were necessary for this purpose; and if David were in any way the founder of the liturgical psalmody, he, as a richly endowed psalm-singer, would doubtless compose the necessary liturgical psalms. These considerations render it very probable that the following psalm was a hymn composed by David for the liturgical song in the public worship. The psalm is as follows: -

8 Give thanks unto Jahve; preach His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples:

9 Sing to Him, play to Him;

Meditate upon all His wondrous works.

10 Glory ye in His holy name:

Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

11 Seek ye the Lord, and His strength;

Seek His face continually.

12 Remember His wonders which He has done;

His wondrous works, and the judgments of His mouth;

13 O seed of Israel, His servants,

Sons of Jacob, His chosen.

14 He, Jahve, is our God;

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