1 Chronicles 13:8 kjv
And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
1 Chronicles 13:8 nkjv
Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.
1 Chronicles 13:8 niv
David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.
1 Chronicles 13:8 esv
And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.
1 Chronicles 13:8 nlt
David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments ? lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.
1 Chronicles 13 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 6:5 | And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments... and on cymbals, and on trumpets. | Parallel account of joyful worship. |
| 2 Sam 6:14 | And David danced before the Lord with all his might... | David's full-hearted worship. |
| Ps 150:3-5 | Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp... Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. | Call to praise God with diverse instruments. |
| Ps 98:4-6 | Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth... with trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord... | Encourages jubilant worship with music. |
| Ps 81:1-3 | Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob... bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. | Call to spirited worship with instruments. |
| Ps 33:1-3 | Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous... Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. | Call to skilled and enthusiastic praise. |
| Ps 47:5-7 | God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet... Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King... | Describes joyful ascent of God with sound. |
| Ps 132:8 | Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. | Focus on Ark's symbolic power & resting place. |
| Neh 12:27-28 | And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites... for dedications with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing... | Describes joyful dedications with music. |
| Ezra 3:10-11 | And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord... and with cymbals, to praise the Lord... and they sang together by course in praising... | Celebratory worship at Temple rebuilding. |
| Deut 6:5 | And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. | Foundation for "all their might" in worship. |
| Mk 12:30 | And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength... | NT emphasis on wholehearted devotion. |
| Col 3:16 | Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. | Encourages heartfelt singing and praise. |
| Eph 5:19 | Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; | Worship involving varied vocal expression. |
| Rev 19:1,6 | ...a great multitude, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God... as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders... | Describes exuberant heavenly worship. |
| 1 Chron 15:16 | And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be singers... with psalteries and harps and cymbals, making a sound, by lifting up the voice with joy. | David organizing Levitical musicians for the Ark. |
| Num 4:15 | And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary... afterward the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it... | Instructions for Ark's proper transport. |
| 1 Sam 4:3-4 | And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark... | Significance of the Ark's presence. |
| Amos 6:5 | That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David... | Alludes to David's role in inventing instruments for worship. |
| Ps 42:4 | When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. | Describes participating in celebratory processions of worship. |
| Zep 3:17 | The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. | God Himself rejoicing with joy and singing over His people. |
| Lk 19:37-38 | And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice... | Joyful praise of Christ in NT times. |
1 Chronicles 13 verses
1 Chronicles 13 8 Meaning
This verse describes King David and all of Israel engaged in an exceptionally joyful and vigorous celebration before God, using a wide array of musical instruments and singing. It captures a moment of fervent, nationwide worship as they participate in the initial, albeit procedurally flawed, procession to bring the Ark of the Covenant toward Jerusalem. The emphasis is on the intensity and wholeheartedness of their collective praise.
1 Chronicles 13 8 Context
1 Chronicles 13 begins with King David consulting with all the leaders of Israel, proposing that they bring back the Ark of God, which had been in Kiriath-Jearim since the time of Eli (1 Sam 7:1-2). This initiative reflects David's earnest desire to centralize the worship of God in the nation and establish Jerusalem as its spiritual capital. The verse itself describes the commencement of this journey, where David and the people transport the Ark on a new cart. This particular verse, 1 Chron 13:8, details the joyful, exuberant, and widespread worship that accompanied the Ark in this initial procession. This scene is full of vibrant energy, preceding the tragic incident where Uzzah is struck dead for touching the Ark (1 Chron 13:9-10). The Chronicler emphasizes the joyous atmosphere and the united efforts of David and all Israel, portraying their fervent intention, even as they inadvertently mishandled the sacred object due to not adhering to the Law concerning its transportation by the Levites on their shoulders (Num 4:15, 7:9).
1 Chronicles 13 8 Word analysis
- And David and all Israel: This phrase emphasizes the collective, unified participation of the entire nation under the leadership of King David. It highlights a widespread national spiritual awakening and communal zeal for God's presence, rather than a select few. It showcases the unity between civil and spiritual leadership.
- played (Hebrew: שָׂחַק - sachaq): This word implies not just playing instruments, but a deep sense of joy, laughter, celebration, and even dancing. It signifies unbridled exuberance and festivity, an active and spirited engagement in worship, rather than a passive or somber one. This term often suggests playful or joyful activity.
- before God (Hebrew: לִפְנֵי אֱלֹהִים - lifnei Elohim): This specifies the object and audience of their actions. Their celebration was directed towards and enacted in the immediate presence of Yahweh, emphasizing that the worship was for His honor and glory. It denotes an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and proximity.
- with all their might (Hebrew: בְּכָל־עֹז - b'khol-oz): This phrase indicates the fervent, intense, and complete dedication of the people. It was not a half-hearted or ritualistic performance but an outpouring of strength, energy, and wholehearted passion in their worship. It echoes the core command to love God with all one's being (Deut 6:5).
- with singing: Signifies vocal praise and the use of communal voices as an integral part of their worship. It indicates spontaneous or arranged hymns and shouts of adoration, highlighting the participatory nature of their praise.
- and with harps (Hebrew: כִּנֹּרוֹת - kinnorot): These were lyre-like stringed instruments, often associated with joyous praise and prophetic utterances. They provided melody and accompaniment.
- and with psalteries (Hebrew: נְבָלִים - n'valim): Also stringed instruments, likely lutes or larger lyres, distinct from harps, possibly providing deeper tones or harmonies. They represent diversity and richness in their musical offering.
- and with timbrels (Hebrew: תֻּפִּים - tupim): Hand drums or tambourines, used for rhythmic accompaniment, especially in celebratory contexts and processions. They contributed to the energetic pulse of the worship.
- and with cymbals (Hebrew: מְצִלְתַּיִם - m'tsiltayim): Percussion instruments producing clashing, loud sounds, used to emphasize rhythmic accents and add powerful exclamation to the praise. They signify boisterous celebration.
- and with trumpets (Hebrew: חֲצֹצְרוֹת - chatsotsrot): These were typically straight metal horns, used in religious ceremonies, military signals, and royal pronouncements. Their presence here signifies solemnity, divine proclamation, and the summoning of God's presence, adding a majestic element to the exuberant worship.
- Played before God with all their might: This phrase encapsulates the essence of biblical worship: active, joyous, and wholly dedicated to the Divine. It suggests an unreserved display of emotion and effort in the presence of the Almighty, showing that true worship is engaging and comprehensive, drawing on physical, emotional, and spiritual energies.
- Singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets: This comprehensive list of diverse instruments underscores the fullness and richness of the sound created. It conveys a picture of grand, multi-faceted orchestration for worship, leaving no stone unturned in terms of creating a joyful noise for God. It represents a celebration that appeals to all senses, emphasizing the corporate nature and vibrancy of the worship.
1 Chronicles 13 8 Bonus section
The Chronicler's emphasis on detailed musical orchestration in 1 Chronicles 13:8, compared to the parallel account in 2 Samuel 6:5, reveals a distinct theological focus. Chronicles, written post-exile, often underscores the importance of proper Temple worship, the Levites' role, and the value of music in service to God. David's profound passion for God, evident in this verse's description of his leadership in fervent worship, establishes a blueprint for worship leadership and national spiritual dedication. This enthusiastic demonstration of worship, while heartfelt and spiritually earnest, precedes the tragic lesson concerning obedience to God's precise commands for handling the Ark, as seen in the immediate subsequent verses. Thus, 1 Chronicles 13:8 beautifully portrays the unbridled spirit of worship, a divine passion that needs to be coupled with the reverence for God's holiness and His established order. This initial exuberance sets a foundation for David's later efforts to organize formal worship in Jerusalem, indicating that joyful, devoted worship was at the heart of his kingdom.
1 Chronicles 13 8 Commentary
1 Chronicles 13:8 provides a vivid snapshot of exuberant, unified worship during a pivotal moment in Israelite history – the attempted return of the Ark of God. The verse highlights King David's fervent heart for God's presence and the nation's overwhelming joy. The phrase "all Israel played before God with all their might" encapsulates the enthusiastic and comprehensive nature of their praise, indicative of a people wholly invested in honoring God. The diverse array of musical instruments—harps, psalteries, timbrels, cymbals, and trumpets—speaks to a rich tapestry of sound designed to amplify their devotion, creating a grand, joyous noise fit for the King of kings. This joyful expression showcases a worship style that is active, physical, and deeply emotional, a far cry from a detached ritual. It exemplifies the Old Testament concept of pouring out one's entire being in praise, a principle echoed in the command to love God with "all your might."