1 Chronicles 16 7

1 Chronicles 16:7 kjv

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

1 Chronicles 16:7 nkjv

On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the LORD:

1 Chronicles 16:7 niv

That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the LORD in this manner:

1 Chronicles 16:7 esv

Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers.

1 Chronicles 16:7 nlt

On that day David gave to Asaph and his fellow Levites this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:

1 Chronicles 16 verses

1 Chronicles 16 7 Meaning

This verse signifies a pivotal moment in the establishment of formal worship under King David in Israel. Immediately following the arrival and placement of the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem, David initiated an organized system of praise and thanksgiving. He appointed specific Levites, led by Asaph, to consistently perform these acts of worship to the Lord, thereby centralizing and institutionalizing a vibrant expression of gratitude and adoration towards God.

1 Chronicles 16 7 Context

1 Chronicles 16:7 appears immediately after David successfully brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and places it within a tent specially prepared for it (1 Chr 16:1). This event is highly significant as it marks the formal establishment of Jerusalem as the religious and political capital of Israel. The bringing of the Ark symbolizes God's presence central to the nation. David then offers sacrifices and blesses the people, emphasizing a restored relationship between God and His people. In this context, verse 7 inaugurates a formalized, ongoing worship ministry, signifying that the Lord’s presence demanded dedicated and perpetual thanksgiving. It shifts the nation's spiritual focus from informal or scattered worship to a centrally organized, priestly and Levitical system of continuous adoration, reflecting David’s deep devotion and his understanding of God’s nature. This organized worship system would become a hallmark of the Davidic monarchy and a foundational element for the later Temple worship.

1 Chronicles 16 7 Word analysis

• Then (אָז, az): This adverb functions as a strong temporal connector, indicating an immediate consequence. It highlights that David's appointment of Levites for thanksgiving was a direct and immediate action following the successful, joyous installation of the Ark of the Covenant. It implies purposeful, deliberate timing.
• on that day (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, băyyôm hahûʾ): Reinforces the specificity and significance of the precise moment the Ark was brought to Jerusalem. This was not a casual or random act, but one tied to the monumental occasion. It underscores the profound impact and historical weight of the event, setting it apart as a day of national and spiritual transformation.
• David (דָּוִד, dāwīḏ): The specific naming of David emphasizes his personal initiative and leadership. As king, he wasn't merely observing but actively establishing a structured spiritual order. This reflects his heart for worship and his role as God's anointed leader responsible for the spiritual well-being of the nation. It highlights the monarch's central role in religious life in ancient Israel.
• first appointed (רִאשׁוֹן נָתַן, rishon natan - literally "first gave" or "gave first"):
  • first (רִאשׁוֹן, rishon): This term signifies inauguration or precedence. It means this was the beginning of an ongoing, institutionalized practice, not merely a one-time event. It sets a new standard for national worship that would continue.
  • appointed (נָתַן, natan - gave/set): While often translated "appointed," the Hebrew verb means "to give" or "to set." Here, it denotes delegation of authority and responsibility. David gave them this charge, investing them with a sacred duty. This indicates a formal commission and the beginning of their official, ongoing service. This counters any ad-hoc worship and establishes a liturgical order.
• the thanksgiving (לְהוֹדוֹת, lehodoth - infinitive construct, "to give thanks"): The specific purpose of their appointment. It implies continuous, active giving of thanks and praise. In Hebrew thought, "giving thanks" (הוֹדָה, hodah) often encompasses both acknowledgment of God's goodness and confessing His mighty acts. This was not just generic praise but specific adoration recognizing God's covenant faithfulness and saving deeds. This also served as a polemic against the surrounding polytheistic nations who sought to appease fickle gods; Israel’s worship was based on grateful response to a loving and faithful God.
• to the LORD (לַיהוָה, laYahweh): Clearly identifies the sole object of worship. "Yahweh" (the unutterable Tetragrammaton, represented as "LORD" in English Bibles) is the covenant God of Israel, distinguished from all pagan deities. This highlights the monotheistic focus of Israel's worship, underscoring its uniqueness amidst polytheistic cultures where thanksgiving was often a quid pro quo.
• by the hand of (בְּיַד, bĕyaḏ): A common Hebrew idiom signifying agency or instrument. It means they were commissioned by David and were now acting under his authority and direction in carrying out this sacred task. It delegates authority effectively and points to leadership structure.
• Asaph and his brothers: Names the principal worship leaders. Asaph, a prominent Levite, becomes a key figure in the later Temple music (e.g., Ps 50, 73-83 are "A Psalm of Asaph"). "His brothers" refers to other members of the Levitical families serving alongside him, underscoring the communal and organized nature of this new ministry. This highlights the specific tribal role assigned to the Levites.

1 Chronicles 16 7 Bonus section

The type of "thanksgiving" inaugurated by David was not merely passive gratitude but active worship often involving singing, music, and the recital of God's mighty deeds. The very psalm David provided for this occasion (1 Chr 16:8-36) is a compilation of sections from Psalms 105, 96, and 106, specifically designed to remind the people of God's faithfulness and greatness from creation to the exodus and the promised land. This underscores that biblical thanksgiving is intrinsically linked to recounting and remembering God's salvific history and ongoing providence. David’s innovation transformed worship from an obligation into a vibrant, intentional act of community, joy, and education, passing down the narratives of God's faithfulness to future generations through liturgical performance. This organizational move had a lasting impact on Israel's spiritual DNA, paving the way for the extensive musical and worship traditions described in the later books of Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 16 7 Commentary

1 Chronicles 16:7 is a profound declaration of David's commitment to establishing ordered and fervent worship in Israel, centered around the divine presence in the Ark of the Covenant. It illustrates his leadership not just in military or political affairs, but fundamentally in the spiritual life of the nation. By "first appointing" a continuous "thanksgiving to the LORD" through the hands of designated Levites like Asaph, David institutionalized an essential form of piety. This move formalized Israel's responsive gratitude to Yahweh, marking a shift from less organized or spontaneous expressions to a deliberate, sustained liturgical service. It underscores the core belief that God's actions (bringing the Ark safely to Jerusalem) demand a dedicated and public display of His people's appreciation and adoration. This set the precedent for a thriving worship culture that deeply integrated music and thanksgiving into Israel's national identity, which later blossomed fully in Solomon's Temple.