Synopsis of the Chapter
David, having placed the ark in the tabernacle of Zion, offers sacrifices; then he blesses the people and gives them a feast. Next he distributes to the Levites their ministries around the ark, and in verse 8, praises God with a canticle.
Verse 8: Give Thanks to the Lord ¶
8. GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD. — David ordered Asaph and his companions to sing this hymn to God in thanksgiving, because he had transferred the ark (and God dwelling in it) to his own citadel of Zion, so that he might have God, as it were, always present, protecting, directing, and strengthening him, near him. This hymn is compiled from Psalm 104 up to verse 23, where it continues compiled from Psalm 95. It is recounted here somewhat differently from what is contained in those psalms, because David seems to have first dictated it here in rough form, and then to have polished and refined it more in the Psalter. It is a psalm and belongs to the Psalter; therefore I will explain it there, as in its proper place. In the meantime I will briefly note here those points in which it differs from the cited psalms.
Verse 11: Seek the Lord and His Strength ¶
11. SEEK THE LORD AND HIS STRENGTH. — The translator reads azzo, that is, His strength or His might, that is, the ark in which God displayed His power, by overthrowing Jericho and the Canaanites through it. For David invites all to come to the ark and worship God before it. But the Septuagint, reading with different vowel points azu in the Cal imperative, translate Psalm 104:5 as: Be strengthened, that is, you will be strengthened. For God will strengthen and fortify you, so that no enemy, no adversity, no temptation may prevail against you.
Verse 21: He Permitted No One to Oppress Them ¶
21. HE PERMITTED NO ONE TO OPPRESS THEM. — Vatablus: to do violence to them; for the Hebrew azar means both to oppress and to do violence. Hence the Septuagint, Psalm 104:15, translate: He did not allow any man to harm them.
Verse 27: Praise and Magnificence Before Him ¶
27. PRAISE AND MAGNIFICENCE ARE BEFORE HIM: STRENGTH AND JOY ARE IN HIS PLACE. — Vatablus: Celebration and magnificence is before Him, power and gladness in His place. But in Psalm 95:6, the Septuagint translates: Praise and beauty in His sight; holiness and magnificence in His sanctuary. In Hebrew, in His sanctuary, namely in the ark, and in the tabernacle of the ark erected by David.
Verse 28: Give to the Lord Glory and Power ¶
28. GIVE TO THE LORD GLORY AND POWER. — The Hebrew: and strength. The meaning of these two verses is, as if to say: Offer to God in this tabernacle before the ark confession, that is, praise and magnificence, that is, a magnificent proclamation of His magnificent works; which magnifies God, that is, demonstrates Him to be great, indeed the greatest; likewise strength and joy, so that you may celebrate His mighty deeds, by which He fought for Israel; and thus He has given us cause for rejoicing and triumph.
Verse 29: Worship the Lord in Holy Splendor ¶
29. WORSHIP THE LORD IN HOLY SPLENDOR. — The Hebrew: in the splendor of holiness, that is, of the holy ark. Vatablus: in the splendid and magnificent sanctuary; but Psalm 95:9: "Worship," it says, "the Lord in His holy court."
Verse 32: Let the Sea Roar ¶
32. LET THE SEA ROAR, AND ALL ITS FULLNESS. — Vatablus: Let the sea resound, and whatever is in it, namely all fish, gems, pearls, etc.; for the waves of the sea in a storm, crashing against each other, produce a roar and something like thunder. But in Psalm 95:12, it reads: "Let the sea be moved (let it tremble before the majesty and omnipotence of God) and all its fullness." Again, the sea thunders when it sends up vapors on high, which, enclosed in clouds and crashing together, when they break out by force, produce thunder and lightning. Let the sea therefore thunder, to display the power of God its Creator, and strike the ungodly with fear of Him.
Verse 39: Zadok the Priest ¶
39. AND ZADOK THE PRIEST (the High Priest) AND HIS BRETHREN THE PRIESTS (the lesser priests) BEFORE THE TABERNACLE OF THE LORD WHICH WAS AT GIBEON. — Zadok had served in the pontificate under Saul, after Saul had killed Ahimelech the High Priest. For at that time the son of Ahimelech, namely Abiathar, fled to David. Therefore the High Priest with Saul was Zadok; but with David, Abiathar. After Saul's death, David did not wish to abolish Zadok's pontificate, but divided it between them so that Abiathar would serve as Pontiff in Jerusalem where the ark was; and Zadok in Gibeon, where the tabernacle made by Moses was.