1 Chronicles 16: Give Thanks to the Lord
With the ark in its tent, David appoints continual worship and gives a psalm of thanksgiving that calls all the earth to praise the faithful God.
1 Chronicles 16 (WEB)
1 They brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.
2 When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in Yahweh’s name.
3 He dealt to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.
4 He appointed certain of the Levites to minister before Yahweh’s ark, and to celebrate and to thank and praise Yahweh, the God of Israel:
5 Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;
6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.
7 Then on that day David first ordained to give thanks to Yahweh, by the hand of Asaph and his brothers.
8 Oh give thanks to Yahweh. Call on his name. Make his doings known among the peoples.
9 Sing to him. Sing praises to him. Tell of all his marvelous works.
10 Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.
11 Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more.
12 Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
13 you seed of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14 He is Yahweh our God. His judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,
16 the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac.
17 He confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18 saying, “I will give you the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance,”
19 when you were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners were in it.
20 They went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.
21 He allowed no man to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22 “Don’t touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!”
23 Sing to Yahweh, all the earth! Display his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations, and his marvelous works among all the peoples.
25 For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.
27 Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and gladness are in his place.
28 Ascribe to Yahweh, you relatives of the peoples, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come before him. Worship Yahweh in holy array.
30 Tremble before him, all the earth. The world also is established that it can’t be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let them say among the nations, “Yahweh reigns!”
32 Let the sea roar, and its fullness! Let the field exult, and all that is therein!
33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
35 Say, “Save us, God of our salvation! Gather us together and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, to triumph in your praise.”
36 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. All the people said, “Amen,” and praised Yahweh.
37 So he left there, before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, Asaph and his brothers, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required;
38 and Obed-Edom with their brothers, sixty-eight; Obed-Edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers;
39 and Zadok the priest, and his brothers the priests, before Yahweh’s tabernacle in the high place that was at Gibeon,
40 to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in Yahweh’s law, which he commanded to Israel;
41 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his loving kindness endures forever;
42 and with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God; and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate.
43 All the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.
1 Chronicles 16 (KJV)
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.
1 Chronicles 16 (ASV)
1 And they brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before God.
2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah.
3 And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a portion of flesh, and a cake of raisins.
4 And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of Jehovah, and to celebrate and to thank and praise Jehovah, the God of Israel:
5 Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, with psalteries and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;
6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.
7 Then on that day did David first ordain to give thanks unto Jehovah, by the hand of Asaph and his brethren.
8 O give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known his doings among the peoples.
9 Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; Talk ye of all his marvellous works.
10 Glory ye in his holy name; Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah.
11 Seek ye Jehovah and his strength; Seek his face evermore.
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 Jehovah our God; His judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations,
16 The covenantwhich he made with Abraham, And his oath unto Isaac,
17 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a statute, 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 a few men in number, Yea, very few, and sojourners in it;
20 And they went about 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 ones, And do my prophets no harm.
23 Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth; Show forth his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples.
25 For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols: But Jehovah made the heavens.
27 Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and gladness are in his place.
28 Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength;
29 Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come before him; Worship Jehovah in holy array.
30 Tremble before him, all the earth: The world also is established that it cannot be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; And let them say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth.
32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; Let the field exult, and all that is therein;
33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing for joy before Jehovah; For he cometh to judge the earth.
34 O give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.
35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, And gather us together and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks unto thy holy name, And to triumph in thy praise.
36 Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. And all the people said, Amen, and praised Jehovah.
37 So he left there, before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, 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 doorkeepers;
39 and Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of Jehovah in the high place that was at Gibeon,
40 to offer burnt-offerings unto Jehovah upon the altar of burnt-offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of Jehovah, which he commanded unto Israel;
41 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Jehovah, because his lovingkindness endureth for ever;
42 and with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God; and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate.
43 And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.
Summary
The ark is brought in and set in the tent David pitched for it, and burnt offerings and peace offerings are made before God. David blesses the people in Yahweh's name and gives every Israelite, man and woman, a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. He then appoints Levites to minister before the ark, to celebrate, thank, and praise the LORD, with Asaph as chief. On that day David first delivers a great psalm of thanksgiving by the hand of Asaph and his brothers. The song calls the people to give thanks, sing, glory in God's holy name, and seek his face evermore, remembering his marvelous works and his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It summons all the earth to declare God's glory among the nations, for great is Yahweh and greatly to be praised, while the gods of the peoples are mere idols and Yahweh made the heavens. The psalm calls heaven and earth, sea and field and forest, to rejoice that Yahweh reigns and comes to judge the earth, ending with the refrain that he is good and his loving kindness endures forever, and a plea to be gathered and saved. All the people say “Amen” and praise Yahweh. David then arranges ongoing worship before the ark and at the tabernacle in Gibeon, so that thanksgiving might continue day and night, before sending everyone home and returning to bless his own house.
Key Figures
- David — The king who, with the ark in its place, leads Israel in worship, blesses the people, and pens a psalm calling all the earth to give thanks to God.
- Asaph and the Levites — The appointed ministers who lead continual thanksgiving and praise before the ark, by whose hand David delivers his song.
- Yahweh (the LORD) — The good and faithful God whose loving kindness endures forever, who reigns over the nations, keeps his covenant, and comes to judge the earth.
- All Israel — The gathered people who receive God's blessing and provision and join in the great “Amen,” praising the LORD together.
Key Verse
1 Chronicles 16:34 (WEB)
Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Lessons Learned
- Worship belongs at the center of a people's life, appointed and continual, not occasional (1 Chronicles 16:4, 37).
- Thanksgiving rests on who God is: good, faithful, and enduring in loving kindness (1 Chronicles 16:34).
- God's praise is meant to be declared among the nations, not kept within his people (1 Chronicles 16:24).
- Remembering God's covenant and past works fuels present faith and worship (1 Chronicles 16:15-22).
- God is good, and his love never ends. “Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34, WEB). This refrain anchors all worship in God's unchanging, faithful love.
- Praise is for all the earth. David sings, “Declare his glory among the nations, and his marvelous works among all the peoples” (1 Chronicles 16:24, WEB). God's glory is not Israel's private possession but a message for the world.
- Worship remembers God's faithfulness. “Remember his covenant forever” (1 Chronicles 16:15, WEB), the song urges. Gratitude grows when we recall what God has promised and done.
- Idols are nothing before the living God. “All the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens” (1 Chronicles 16:26, WEB). The Creator alone is worthy of the worship the nations give to lifeless gods.
- The reign of God is cause for universal joy. “Let them say among the nations, ‘Yahweh reigns!’” (1 Chronicles 16:31, WEB). Even heavens, sea, and fields are summoned to rejoice that God is King.
- Why does David make worship continual and well-ordered rather than a one-time celebration? What does that suggest for our own worship?
- The psalm grounds thanksgiving in God's goodness and enduring loving kindness. How does focusing on God's character shape our gratitude?
- David calls Israel to declare God's glory among the nations. How does this missionary impulse appear elsewhere in Scripture, and how does it reach us?
- The song repeatedly looks back to God's covenant with the patriarchs. Why is remembering important to faith and worship?
- What would it look like for thanksgiving to God to become a more continual rhythm, rather than an occasional feeling, in your life?
- David institutes ongoing ministry of praise, day by day, treating worship as the steady heartbeat of national life. Encourage the group to see worship not as a Sunday event only but as a continual rhythm of gratitude woven through daily life.
- Because God's goodness and love are unchanging, gratitude grounded in his character can endure regardless of circumstances. Help members shift from thanking God only for outcomes to praising him for who he eternally is.
- The call to declare God's glory among the nations runs from Abraham through the Psalms to the Great Commission. Point ahead to Christ, in whom the nations are gathered to praise. Discuss how members might join God's heart for the world.
- Remembering God's covenant faithfulness fuels present trust; we worship the God who has proven faithful. Encourage the practice of recalling and recounting God's past goodness as a discipline that strengthens faith.
- This is a gentle personal-application question. Invite members to consider simple practices such as morning thanksgiving, gratitude lists, or sung praise, that could make thanks to God a steadier rhythm, and pray together with thankful hearts.