Give Thanks to the LORD

Cymbals crash. Harps ring out. Two priests raise silver trumpets to their lips. And thousands of voices sing together: give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.

David has become king over all Israel, and he has made Jerusalem his capital. But something is missing. The ark of the covenant, the gold-covered chest that stood for God's presence among his people, has been left in a village for years. Now, at last, David has brought it up to Jerusalem with singing and dancing. He has pitched a special tent for it. The ark is carried inside and set in its place. Burnt offerings and peace offerings are made before God. The journey is over. And David has planned what comes next.

First, David blesses the people in the name of the LORD. Then he does something every child in that crowd would remember. He gives food to every single Israelite, men and women alike. A loaf of bread, a good portion of meat, and a cake of raisins each. Imagine the happy noise as the food is handed out, family by family, until everyone has enough. This is not only a religious ceremony. It is a feast. God's presence among his people is a reason to celebrate, and the king makes sure no one goes home hungry.

Next, David appoints some of the Levites to serve before the ark. Their job is to remember, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. Asaph is the chief, and he plays the cymbals. Under him are Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth and others, playing harps and lyres. Two priests, Benaiah and Jahaziel, are to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark. Before this, worship in Israel had been mostly sacrifices. Now David is making it music. Musicians with set roles and set times, leading God's people in song, day after day.

And on that day, David gives Asaph and his relatives a psalm of thanks. Listen to some of it. Give thanks to the LORD. Call on his name. Make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him. Tell of all his wonderful works. Remember the marvellous things he has done. Then the song widens to the whole world. Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar. Let the fields be joyful. Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD. And it ends with the words that run through Israel's worship like a heartbeat. O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever. And all the people say: Amen. And they praise the LORD. Then David leaves Asaph and his brothers to minister before the ark continually, as each day requires, and everyone goes home, and David goes home to bless his own family.

If David's song sounds familiar, it is because parts of it appear in the book of Psalms too. Its first half matches the opening of Psalm 105. Its middle matches Psalm 96. And its ending echoes the beginning and end of Psalm 106. Asaph himself is remembered there as well. Twelve psalms carry his name in their titles: Psalm 50, and Psalms 73 to 83.

Give thanks to the LORD. You'll find this story in First Chronicles chapter sixteen. A king who fed his people, a choir with cymbals and harps and trumpets, and a song that invites even the trees and the sea to join in. So here is a question to carry with you. What is one thing God has done that you could tell someone about, or sing about, this week?