So they brought the ark of God and set it in the midst of the tent which David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. 3 And he distributed 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 Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord and to celebrate [by calling to mind], thanking and praising the Lord, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph was the chief, next to him Zechariah, Jeiel (Jaaziel), Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, and Benaiah, Obed-edom and Jeiel, who were to play harps and lyres; Asaph was to sound the cymbals; 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God. 7 Then on that day David first entrusted to Asaph and his brethren the singing of thanks to the Lord [as their chief task]. 1 Chronicles 16:1-7 AMP
David appointed regular singers and musicians – musical priests from the ranks of the Levites – to minister continually before the ark. Their job description was to play musical instruments, blow trumpets in front of the Ark of the Covenant and sing and worship God continually. They were to personally worship God and also lead the congregation in worship. They were appointed to thank and praise God and call to mind – for the people – what God had done for Israel. They were to record – which means: commemorate; earnestly make mention of; be mindful of; recount; remember; make to be remembered; bring into, or keep in, remembrance; think on – the good things God had done. They were to celebrate the goodness of God and continue to remind the people – in music and song – what God had done, how good He is, and what He had promised. These psalmists ministered continually, morning and evening, from this time on through all of David’s life and also part of the time when other kings ruled. God’s praises should be continually in our heart and mouth!
O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known His doings among the peoples! 9 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; meditate on and talk of all His wondrous works and devoutly praise them! 10 Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! 11 Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually! 12 [Earnestly] remember the marvelous deeds which He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He uttered [as in Egypt], 13 O you offspring of [Abraham and] of Israel His servants, you children of Jacob, His chosen ones! 14 He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. 15 Be mindful of His covenant forever, the promise which He commanded and established to a thousand generations, 16 The covenant which He made with Abraham, and His sworn promise to Isaac. 17 He confirmed it as a statute to Jacob, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 18 Saying, To you I will give the land of Canaan, the measured portion of your possession and inheritance. 19 When they were but few, even a very few, and only temporary residents and strangers in it, 20 When they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people, 21 He allowed no man to do them wrong; yes, He reproved kings for their sakes, 22 Saying, Touch not My anointed, and do My prophets no harm. 1 Chronicles 16:8-22 AMP
After David appointed the psalmists, he began to do just what he had instructed them to do. He began to worship and praise God, commemorating His goodness and His glory. He did it for himself personally, and also led them in it, and in so doing, demonstrated to them what their function was to be. Not merely their function, but their very heart attitude – because praise comes from the heart. We don’t do it out of duty we do it out of genuine love and thanksgiving!
David admonished them to:
1. Give thanks unto the Lord.
2. Call upon His name.
3. Make known His deeds among men.
4. Sing unto Him.
5. Sing psalms unto Him.
6. Talk of all His wondrous works.
7. Glory in His holy name.
8. Let the hearts of seekers rejoice.
9. Seek the Lord.
10. Seek His strength.
11. Seek His face evermore.
12. Remember His marvelous works.
13. Remember His wonders.
14. Remember the judgments of His mouth.
15. Be always mindful of His covenant.
In this psalm, we find four elements of true thanksgiving:
-remembering (and commemorating) what God has done,
-telling others about Him and what He’s done
-showing God’s glory to others, and
-offering your own gifts – giving yourself, your time, and your resources.
If you are truly thankful, your life will show it – people will see it, and hear it, in and through you.
Praise and thanksgiving should be a regular part of our routine – each and every one of us – and we should not reserve it only for celebrations. These are some of the things that you should keep in mind when you are praising and worshipping God. Give thanks to God; call on His Name; sing to Him; sing about Him; sing about what He has done; remember and speak of His wonderful works; glory in His name; let your heart rejoice; seek the Lord – His face and His strength; remember His commandments. We should also be always mindful of His covenant – be mindful of: all that He has done for you; all that He has done in you; all that He has promised; who He is to you; who you are in Him; how faithful He is; how generous He is; how awesome and wonderful He is! He is indeed worthy of our praise!