Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Chronicles 16:41
And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy [endureth] forever;
41. Jeduthun ] Psalms 39, 62, 77 (titles). In 1Ch 6:33-47; 1Ch 15:17; 1Ch 15:19 the names of the leading singers are given as Heman, Asaph and Ethan; in 1Ch 16:41; 1Ch 25:1 ff. however Jeduthun seems to take the place of Ethan. Probably there was a variation in the tradition as to the third name, two families competing each for the honour of its own ancestor.
to give thanks ] Cp. 1Ch 16:34.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
1Ch 16:41
To give thanks to the Lord.
Praise in song
(for a Choir Service):—King David was the greatest innovator in worship of whom Scripture contains a record, for he introduced instrumental music to guide popular singing in worship, and he formed the whole tribe of Levi into a guild of various branches, one of which was employed in the musical services of religion. There had always been in Israel a tendency to song. At the digging of a well, at the winning of a victory, at the issue of a great deliverance the people sang, not men only, or priests only, but men and women. But music was not in the stated worship of God till David organised it. It was this organisation that Solomon found ready to his hand. The purpose of the music, the purport of the song, was praise for the mercy of the Lord: to give thanks unto the Lord, because His mercy endureth for ever. I am burdened with the sense of the mercies of God, said the dying Norman Macleod. That was the burden of Israel and Judah in the old time (2Ch 20:21; Ezr 3:11). That was the National Anthem of Israel. There is none like it yet, not even Luthers, though that comes next to it. It is a hymn we might sing in eternity. There is something to stir the heart in the mercy of God. There were many things that stirred the heart of Israel, but this one was always the chief. We know very little about the hymns or music of the early Church. Everything that was sung that was not a psalm seems to have been called a hymn. Paul enjoins psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as a means of instruction and teaching. Thus it was at the German Reformation. Thus it was at the Scottish Reformation, when almost all the learning was of rhyme; psalms, beatitudes, creeds, and commandments–they rhymed and sang them all. The Gnostic heretics had, through their hymns, such hold on the heart, that he was the best champion of orthodoxy who could write a rival hymn. The Arians also swayed the mobs of the great cities of the East by their processions and their songs, and their catches sung at meal hours, so that Ambrose and Chrysostom had to counteract them with hymns that were charged with the very truth of God and Christ and the Holy Ghost. To you members of the choir I would say, You sing not as pagans sang; your music is not a refined amusement, or a toy, but a consecration to God of a great gift with which the Lord of the talents has entrusted you. It is given you that by its use you may lead us up to God. It is not congregational worship if some one sings in the presence of the congregation. The heart of the people must go with the singer. There is not much more worship in hearing some one sing than there would be in seeing some one paint. But there is a strange power in music–above all in the music of the human voice–to awaken emotion. Some of the grandest preaching I have ever heard was the singing of a hymn with a purpose. It was not worship, but it was wonderful teaching, and it led to worship–worship of the highest kind. Now triumph will be in the music that moves us to noble deeds. When one Greek orator spoke, men said, What a noble speech! but when the other spoke men looked on each other, grasped their swords and said, Let us march on Macedon. And if you use your gift to the highest purpose it will have for its result that we will arise and go to our Father. Basil said the Holy Ghost was the author of Christian music. This lifts up the central purpose beyond mere notation; the Holy Ghost takes of the things of Christ and shows them to us. (Prof. Charteris, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Who were expressed by name; so exceeding careful was this good king of Gods worship, that he would have no person employed in it but such as he appointed to it, and were meant for it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
37-42. So he left there before theark of the covenant of the Lord Asaph and his brethren, &c.Thesequel of the chapter describes the appointment of the sacredmusicians and their respective duties.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And with them,…. That is, with Zadok, and the priests with him at Gibeon:
he left Heman and Jeduthun: or Ethan, two principal singers:
and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name; see
1Ch 16:18
to give thanks to the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever; to praise him for his benefits, flowing from his grace and mercy continually.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
41. Jeduthun The same as Ethan of 1Ch 6:44; 1Ch 15:17 ; 1Ch 15:19. Comp. 1Ch 25:1 ; 1Ch 25:6; 2Ch 5:12; 2Ch 29:14 ; 2Ch 35:15.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The whole forms a most delightful representation of the services of the old church. And as all the services were with an eye to Christ, we never can sufficiently admire the grace of the Holy Ghost in the appointment. Think, Reader, of what vast, what infinite importance, is the redemption by Jesus in the eyes of Jehovah; when the mere shadow and type of it was so regularly observed, in daily services, through to many intermediate generations, from the fall of man to the coming of Christ?
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jeduthun. One of the three directors of the Temple-worship. Compare 1Ch 25:1-6; 2Ch 5:12. A descendant of Merari (Compare 1Ch 16:38 with 1Ch 26:10). Called also “Ethan” (1Ch 15:17, 1Ch 15:19, and Compare 1Ch 25:1, 1Ch 25:3, 1Ch 25:6; 2Ch 35:15).
mercy = lovingkindness, or, grace.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Heman: 1Ch 16:37, 1Ch 6:39-47, 1Ch 25:1-6
expressed: 1Ch 12:31, Num 1:17, Ezr 8:20
to give: 1Ch 16:34, 2Ch 5:13, 2Ch 7:3, 2Ch 20:21, Ezr 3:11, Psa 103:17, Jer 33:11, Luk 1:50
Reciprocal: 1Ch 2:6 – Heman 1Ch 6:33 – Heman 1Ch 23:5 – praised 1Ch 25:3 – Jeduthun 1Ch 25:4 – Heman 2Ch 5:12 – the Levites 2Ch 7:6 – the Levites 2Ch 31:2 – to give thanks 2Ch 34:12 – all 2Ch 35:15 – according Neh 11:17 – to begin Psa 65:1 – in Sion Psa 107:1 – Give Psa 136:1 – for his mercy Eze 40:44 – chambers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
16:41 And with {s} them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy [endureth] for ever;
(s) With Zadok and the rest of the priests.