In the early years of my preaching ministry, at one point in time my family and I traveled about 10,000 miles in one month. I would preach in churches and share plans for planting a church. It was a crazy amount of travel, to be sure!
The Ark of the Covenant traveled a good deal and did not return home for decades! The Ark had been in the wilderness from Exodus 25-40. Once in the Promised Land, it was in Shiloh for many years (Josh. 1:8; I Sam. 1:3). Then the Philistines captured the Ark (I Sam. 4:10-11; 5); however, anywhere the Philistines took the Ark, it caused plagues. The Ark finally returned to Israel in a Gibeonite city and remained there for 20 years (I Sam. 7:1-2). The first attempt to move the Ark back to Jerusalem failed (I Chron. 13; II Sam. 6:1-11) because Uzzah improperly touched it and died. So, the Ark was kept at Obededom’s house for three months and the Lord blesses his household (I Chron. 13:14). Finally, David successfully brings the Ark to Jerusalem and much celebration worship is planned for this long-awaited arrival!
Biblical Context:
These verses in I Chronicles 16 are part of a song that is thanking God. King David had appointed Asaph and the Levites to sing this song of thanksgiving when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem.
To understand the significance of the Ark’s arrival in Jerusalem, we must remember that the Ark represented God’s presence with His people. This makes this event a deeply spiritual moment in their time.
The works of God and the presence of God led the people to worship God! Music has a significant part of this worship service. In fact, the song of thanksgiving is recorded from I Chronicles 16:8 to I Chronicles 16:36.
Here is a brief breakdown of the chapter content.
The first 7 verses are a narrative that records:
the arrival of the Ark
the offerings that are made at the beginning of worship
the instructions for Asaph and the Levites to lead the worship with music.
The last 6 verses are a narrative recording:
further instructions for extended worship
and direction for more sacrifices in Jerusalem and Gibeon.
However, as the Holy Spirit records this worship service for our benefit, He chooses to strongly emphasize music from verse 8 to verse 36 (28 verses!). As a side note for further study, it is interesting to note that this song of thanksgiving has parallels to Psalm 96, 105:1-15, 106:1, 47-48. Now let’s consider 4 significant parts of this song of thankful worship.
1. Thankful & Faithful (16:8)
Cultures of the day often worshipped their gods in private ways. Israel is exhorted to thank God AND to faithfully tell others of His work. Thankful worship connects together God-centered music and testifying of God’s work!
2. Joyful (16:9-10)
Ancient cultures often approached worship of their gods with fear and appeasement. Israel is directed to sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, and glorify the Lord. Thankful worship is outward, jubilant, and infectious!
3. Purposeful (16:11)
The people are urged to purposefully seek out God and depend on Him. Thankful worship reveals dependence on God and not on self!
4. Mindful (16:12)
Israel is charged to rehearse the faithfulness of God. This connects the past with the present and strengthens their resolve in future wars and hardships. Thankful worship will recall the faithfulness of God!
The New Testament affirms this call for testifying in I Peter 2:9.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Back in the days before smartphones and photo albums, families would gather around the dinner table and tell stories. Grandpa would retell the same fishing tale, Mom would recall how God provided groceries when money was short, and kids would share their small victories from the day. The point wasn’t just entertainment. It was about remembering together. Those stories shaped the family’s identity and reminded them of who they were and where they had come from.
In many ways, the church is called to be like that family. When God works, we don’t just notice quietly and move on. We gather to rehearse His deeds. We sing them, speak them, and remind one another of His faithfulness. Just as a family’s stories are passed down, so they won’t be forgotten, the church rehearses God’s wonders through music and words, so His greatness stays alive in our hearts and is passed on to the next generation. So, let’s embrace this time today and worship the Lord with thankful, faithful, purposeful, and mindful hearts!