A Tent for the Ark
(2 Samuel 6:17–19)

1So they brought the ark of God {Elohim} and placed it inside the tent that David (beloved) had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2When David (beloved) had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD {YHWH}. 3Then he distributed to every man and woman of Israel (he wrestles with God) a loaf of bread, a date cake (a portion of meat),a and a raisin cake.

4David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD {YHWH}, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God {Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God). 5Asaph (gatherer) was the chief, Zechariah (YHWH remembers) was second, then Jeiel (God sweeps away), Shemiramoth (name of heights), Jehiel (God lives), Mattithiah (gift of YHWH), Eliab (God is father), Benaiah (YHWH has built up), Obed-edom (servant of Edom), and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals 6and the priests Benaiah (YHWH has built up) and Jahaziel (beheld of God) blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God {Elohim}.

David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving
(Psalm 105:1–15)

7On that day David (beloved) first committed to Asaph (gatherer) and his associates this song of thanksgiving to the LORD {YHWH}:

8“Give thanks to the LORD {YHWH}; call upon His name;

make known His deeds among the nations.

9Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;

tell of all His wonders.

10Glory in His holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD {YHWH} rejoice.

11Seek out the LORD {YHWH} and His strength;

seek His face always.

12Remember the wonders He has done,

His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,

13O offspring of His servant Israel (he wrestles with God),

O sons of Jacob (he grasps the heel), His chosen ones.

14He is the LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu};

His judgments carry throughout the earth.

15Remember [He remembers]b His covenant forever,

the word He ordained for a thousand generations—

16the covenant He made with Abraham (father of many),

and the oath He swore to Isaac (he laughs).

17He confirmed it to Jacob (he grasps the heel) as a decree,

to Israel (he wrestles with God) as an everlasting covenant:

18‘I will give you the land of Canaan (lowland)

as the portion of your⁺ inheritance.’

19When they were few in number,

few indeed, and strangers in the land,

20they wandered from nation to nation,

from one kingdom to another.

21He let no man oppress them;

He rebuked kings on their behalf:

22‘Do not touch My anointed ones!

Do no harm to My prophets!’

Sing to the LORD, All the Earth
(Psalm 96:1–13)

23Sing to the LORD {YHWH}, all the earth.

Proclaim His salvation day after day.

24Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples.

25For great is the LORD {YHWH}, and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods.

26For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but it is the LORD {YHWH} who made the heavens.

27Splendor and majesty are before Him;

strength and joy fill His dwelling.

28Ascribe to the LORD {YHWH}, O families of the nations,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

29Ascribe to the LORD {YHWH} the glory due His name;

bring an offering and come before Him.

Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness;

30tremble before Him, all the earth.

The world is firmly established;

it cannot be moved.

31Let the heavens be glad,

and the earth rejoice.

Let them say among the nations,

‘The LORD {YHWH} reigns!’

32Let the sea resound,

and all that fills it;

let the fields exult,

and all that is in them.

33Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD {YHWH},

for He is coming to judge the earth.

34Give thanks to the LORD {YHWH}, for He is good;

His loving devotion {chesed}c endures forever.

35Then cry out: ‘Save us, O God {Elohe} of our salvation;

gather and deliver us from the nations,

that we may give thanks to Your holy name,

that we may glory in Your praise.’

36Blessed be the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God),

from everlasting to everlasting.”

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and “Praise the LORD!”

Worship before the Ark

37So David left Asaph (gatherer) and his associates there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD {YHWH}, to minister there regularly according to the daily requirements, 38along with Obed-edom (servant of Edom) and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun (praising), and also Hosah (refuge), were to be gatekeepers.

39And David left Zadok (righteous) the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD {YHWH} at the high place in Gibeon (hill city) 40to regularly present burnt offerings to the LORD {YHWH} on the altar of burnt offerings, morning and evening, according to all that was written in the Law of the LORD, which He had commanded Israel to keep (he wrestles with God). 41With them were Heman (faithful), Jeduthun (praising), and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD {YHWH}, for “His loving devotion endures forever.”

42Heman (faithful) and Jeduthun (praising) had with them trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for the songs of God (instruments for the sacred music).d And the sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

43Then all the people departed for their homes, and David (beloved) returned home to bless his household.