Verse 10
David inquired of God - "David consulted the Word of the Lord." - T.
Verse 11
Like the breaking forth of waters - "And David said, The Lord hath broken the enemies of David like to the breaking of a potter's vessel full of water." - T.
Verse 15
A sound of going - "When thou shalt hear the sound of the angels coming to thy assistance, then go out to battle; for an angel is sent from the presence of God, that he may render thy way prosperous." - T.
Verse 17
Into all lands - That is, all the surrounding or neighboring lands and nations, for no others can possibly be intended.
Introduction
David prepares to bring home the ark, and musters the Levites, [1Chr 15:1-11]. They sanctify themselves, and bear the ark upon their shoulders, [1Chr 15:12-15]. The solemnities observed on the occasion, [1Chr 15:16-26]. David dances before the ark, and is despised by his wife Michal, [1Chr 15:27-29].
Verse 1
Made him houses - One for himself, and one for the ark; in the latter was a tent, under which the ark was placed.
Verse 2
None ought to carry the ark - but the Levites - It was their business; and he should have thought of this sooner, and then the unfortunate breach on Uzza would have been prevented; see [1Chr 15:13].
Verse 15
Upon their shoulders - That is the staves which went through the rings rested on their shoulders, but the ark itself rested on the staves like a sedan on its poles.
As Moses commanded - See [Num 4:5], [Num 4:15].
Verse 17 - Heman - Asaph - Ethan - These were the three chief musicians in the time of David; see [1Chr 6:31].
Verse 20
With psalteries on Alamoth - Some suppose that the word signifies virgins, or women singers, the persons mentioned here being appointed to accompany them with psalteries, and preside over them.
The Vulgate says arcana cantabant, they sang secret things or mysteries; probably prophetic hymns.
Verse 21
On the Sheminith - According to the Targum, this signifies an instrument that sounded an octave, or, according to others, an instrument with eight strings. The Syriac and Arabic have it, instruments to sing with daily, at the third, sixth, and ninth hour; the Vulgate, an octave, for a song of victory: some think the eighth band of the musicians is intended, who had the strongest and most sonorous voices; and that it is in this sense that shelomith and lenatstseach should be understood.
Verse 22
Chenaniah - he instructed about the song - This appears to have been the master singer; he gave the key and the time, for he presided במשא bemassa, in the elevation, probably meaning what is called pitching the tune, for he was skillful in music, and powerful in his voice, and well qualified to lead the band: be might have been precentor.
Verse 26
God helped the Levites - When they saw that God had made no breach among them, as he had in the case of Uzza, in gratitude for their preservation, and his acceptance of their labor, they sacrificed seven bullocks and seven rams.
Verse 27
A robe of fine linen - A robe made of בוץ buts, probably the tuft or beard of the Pinna Magna, a species of muscle found every where on the shores of the Mediterranean, growing sometimes, as I have seen, to a foot and a half in length. I have seen a pair of gloves made of this very rich stuff; the color is a deep dark yellow, something inclining to what is called the lilac. The buts or byssus was not heard of in Israel before the time of David: after that it is frequently mentioned.
Verse 29
Michal - saw - David dancing - and she despised him - See this whole business explained [2Sam 6:20] (note), etc., where David's conduct is vindicated, and the nature of Michal's disgrace and punishment hinted at, but all left to the reader's determination.
Introduction
David brings the ark into its tent; and offers sacrifices, peace-offerings, and burnt-offerings, [1Chr 16:1], [1Chr 16:2]; and gives portions to the people of Israel, [1Chr 16:3]. He appoints proper ministers and officers for the ark, [1Chr 16:4-6]. He delivers a solemn thanksgiving on the occasion, vv. 7-36. How the different officers served at the ark, [1Chr 16:37-42]. The people return home, [1Chr 16:43].
Verse 2
He blessed the people - "He blessed the people in the name of the Word of the Lord." - T.
Verse 3
To every one a loaf of bread - A whole cake. A good piece of flesh; "the sixth part of an ox, and the sixth part of a hin of wine." - T. See [2Sam 6:18-20]; see Jarchi also.
Verse 5
Asaph - See the preceding chapter, [1Chr 15:17] (note), etc.
Verse 7
David delivered first this psalm - I believe the meaning of this place to be this: David made the psalm on the occasion above specified; and delivered it to Asaph, who was the musician, and to his brethren, to be sung by them in honor of what God had done in behalf of his people.
Verse 10
That seek the Lord - "That seek the Word of the Lord." - T.
Verse 12
Remember his marvellous works - The whole of the psalm refers to God's wondrous actions among the nations in behalf of Israel.