25 So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring the ark of the LORD’s covenant up out of the house of Obed-Edom with joy. 26 When God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the LORD’s covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the choir master with the singers; and David had an ephod of linen on him. 28 Thus all Israel brought the ark of the LORD’s covenant up with shouting, with sound of the cornet, with shofars‡, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with stringed instruments and harps. 29 As the ark of the LORD’s covenant came to David’s city, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.
16
1 They brought in God’s ark, and set it in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the LORD’s name. 3 He gave to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.
4 He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the LORD’s ark, and to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud; 6 with Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with shofars† continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.
7 Then on that day David first ordained giving of thanks to the LORD by the hand of Asaph and his brothers.
8 Oh give thanks to the LORD.
Call on his name.
Make what he has done known among the peoples.
9 Sing to him.
Sing praises to him.
Tell of all his marvelous works.
10 Glory in his holy name.
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
11 Seek the LORD and his strength.
Seek his face forever more.
12 Remember his marvelous works that he has done,
his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
13 you offspring‡ of Israel his servant,
you children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
14 He is the LORD our God.
His judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever,
the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,
16 the covenant which he made with Abraham,
his oath to Isaac.
17 He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18 saying, “I will give you the land of Canaan,
The lot of your inheritance,”
19 when you were but a few men in number,
yes, very few, and foreigners in it.
20 They went about from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people.
21 He allowed no man to do them wrong.
Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,
22 “Don’t touch my anointed ones!
Do my prophets no harm!”
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth!
Display his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
and his marvelous works among all the peoples.
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.
He also is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
27 Honor and majesty are before him.
Strength and gladness are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name.
Bring an offering, and come before him.
Worship the LORD in holy array.
30 Tremble before him, all the earth.
The world also is established that it can’t be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad,
and let the earth rejoice!
Let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
32 Let the sea roar, and its fullness!
Let the field exult, and all that is in it!
33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever.
35 Say, “Save us, God of our salvation!
Gather us together and deliver us from the nations,
to give thanks to your holy name,
to triumph in your praise.”
36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting even to everlasting.
All the people said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD.
37 So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the LORD’s covenant, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required; 38 and Obed-Edom with their sixty-eight relatives; Obed-Edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers; 39 and Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests, before the LORD’s tabernacle in the high place that was at Gibeon, 40 to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the LORD’s law, which he commanded to Israel; 41 and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his loving kindness endures forever; 42 and with them Heman and Jeduthun with shofars§ and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God, and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate. 43 All the people departed, each man to his house; and David returned to bless his house.
17
1 When David was living in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I live in a cedar house, but the ark of the LORD’s covenant is in a tent.”
2 Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart; for God is with you.”
3 That same night, the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 “Go and tell David my servant, ‘The LORD says, “You shall not build me a house to dwell in; 5 for I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tent to another. 6 In all places in which I have walked with all Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’ ” ’
7 “Now therefore, you shall tell my servant David, ‘The LORD of Hosts says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel. 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a name like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 9 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not waste them any more, as at the first, 10 and from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that the LORD will build you a house. 11 It will happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your offspring after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He will build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not take my loving kindness away from him, as I took it from him who was before you; 14 but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever. His throne will be established forever.” ’ ” 15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
16 Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD; and he said, “Who am I, LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far? 17 This was a small thing in your eyes, O God, but you have spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have respected me according to the standard of a man of high degree, LORD God. 18 What can David say yet more to you concerning the honor which is done to your servant? For you know your servant. 19 LORD, for your servant’s sake, and according to your own heart, you
