1 Chronicles 16:4
And 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:
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתֵּ֞ן
And he appointed
H5414
וַיִּתֵּ֞ן
And he appointed
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִפְנֵ֨י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֨י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
מְשָֽׁרְתִ֑ים
to minister
H8334
מְשָֽׁרְתִ֑ים
to minister
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
7 of 13
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
וּלְהַזְכִּיר֙
and to record
H2142
וּלְהַזְכִּיר֙
and to record
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
וּלְהוֹד֣וֹת
and to thank
H3034
וּלְהוֹד֣וֹת
and to thank
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
9 of 13
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
וּלְהַלֵּ֔ל
and praise
H1984
וּלְהַלֵּ֔ל
and praise
Strong's:
H1984
Word #:
10 of 13
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
David's appointment of Levitical worship leaders (c. 1001 BC) professionalized Israel's liturgy. These musicians and singers (Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun) composed and performed psalms, creating the hymnbook of Second Temple Judaism and Christianity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does regularly 'recording' God's faithfulness in your life fuel worship and thanksgiving?
- What role does corporate, structured worship play in maintaining your spiritual vitality?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And 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—Three Hebrew verbs define this ministry: hizkir ('to record/remember'), hodot ('to thank'), and halel ('to praise'). David established permanent liturgical worship before the ark, foreshadowing temple worship Solomon would formalize.
The 'recording' function means calling to remembrance God's mighty acts—reciting salvation history. This became foundational to Israel's worship: rehearsing God's faithfulness to evoke thanksgiving and praise. Christian worship continues this pattern: we remember Christ's death (1 Cor 11:24-25) to fuel gratitude and adoration.