1 Chronicles 15:16

Authorized King James Version

And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
H559
spake
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
דָּוִיד֮
H1732
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
לְשָׂרֵ֣י
H8269
to the chief
a head person (of any rank or class)
#4
הַלְוִיִּם֒
H3881
of the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#5
לְהַֽעֲמִ֗יד
H5975
to appoint
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#6
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
אֲחֵיהֶם֙
H251
their brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#8
הַמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים
H7891
to be the singers
to sing
#9
בִּכְלֵי
H3627
with instruments
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
#10
שִׁ֛יר
H7892
of musick
a song; abstractly, singing
#11
נְבָלִ֥ים
H5035
psalteries
a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)
#12
וְכִנֹּר֖וֹת
H3658
and harps
a harp
#13
וּמְצִלְתָּ֑יִם
H4700
and cymbals
(only dual) double tinklers, i.e., cymbals
#14
מַשְׁמִיעִ֥ים
H8085
sounding
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#15
לְהָרִֽים
H7311
by lifting up
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
#16
בְּק֖וֹל
H6963
the voice
a voice or sound
#17
לְשִׂמְחָֽה׃
H8057
with joy
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection