1So 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 . 2And 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 . 3And 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 . 4And 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 : 5Asaph 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 ; 6Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God .
David's Psalm of Thanksgiving
7Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren . 8Give thanks unto the LORD , call upon his name , make known his deeds among the people . 9Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. 10Glory ye in his holy name : let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD . 11Seek the LORD and his strength , seek his face continually . 12Remember his marvellous works that he hath done , his wonders , and the judgments of his mouth ; 13O ye seed of Israel his servant , ye children of Jacob , his chosen ones . 14He is the LORD our God ; his judgments are in all the earth . 15Be ye mindful always of his covenant ; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations ; 16Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham , and of his oath unto Isaac ; 17And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law , and to Israel for an everlasting covenant , 18Saying , Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan , the lot of your inheritance ; 19When ye were but few , even a few , and strangers in it. 20And when they went from nation to nation , and from one kingdom to another people ; 21He suffered no man to do them wrong : yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, 22Saying , Touch not mine anointed , and do my prophets no harm . 23Sing unto the LORD , all the earth ; shew forth from day to day his salvation . 24Declare his glory among the heathen ; his marvellous works among all nations . 25For great is the LORD , and greatly to be praised : he also is to be feared above all gods . 26For all the gods of the people are idols : but the LORD made the heavens . 27Glory and honour are in his presence ; strength and gladness are in his place . 28Give unto the LORD , ye kindreds of the people , give unto the LORD glory and strength . 29Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name : bring an offering , and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness . 30Fear before him, all the earth : the world also shall be stable , that it be not moved . 31Let the heavens be glad , and let the earth rejoice : and let men say among the nations , The LORD reigneth . 32Let the sea roar , and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice , and all that is therein. 33Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD , because he cometh to judge the earth . 34O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good ; for his mercy endureth for ever . 35And 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 . 36Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever . And all the people said , Amen , and praised the LORD .
The Role of the Levites
37So 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 : 38And Obed-edom with their brethren , threescore and eight ; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters : 39And Zadok the priest , and his brethren the priests , before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon , 40To 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 ; 41And 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 ; 42And 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 . 43And all the people departed every man to his house : and David returned to bless his house .