Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, December 20th, 2025
the Third Week of Advent
the Third Week of Advent
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Read the Bible
Contemporary English Version
1 Chronicles 15:16
David then told the leaders to choose some Levites to sing and play music on small harps, other stringed instruments, and cymbals.
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Concordances:
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- InternationalParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
Then David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers and to have them raise their voices with joy accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals.
Then David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers and to have them raise their voices with joy accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals.
Hebrew Names Version
David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
King James Version
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
English Standard Version
David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.
David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.
New Century Version
David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to play their lyres, harps, and cymbals and to sing happy songs.
David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to play their lyres, harps, and cymbals and to sing happy songs.
New English Translation
David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint some of their relatives as musicians; they were to play various instruments, including stringed instruments and cymbals, and to sing loudly and joyfully.
David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint some of their relatives as musicians; they were to play various instruments, including stringed instruments and cymbals, and to sing loudly and joyfully.
Amplified Bible
Then David told the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives as the singers, with instruments of music—harps, lyres, and cymbals—to play loudly and to raise sounds of joy [with their voices].
Then David told the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives as the singers, with instruments of music—harps, lyres, and cymbals—to play loudly and to raise sounds of joy [with their voices].
New American Standard Bible
Then David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives as the singers, with musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals, playing to raise sounds of joy.
Then David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives as the singers, with musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals, playing to raise sounds of joy.
World English Bible
David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And Dauid spake to the chiefe of the Leuites, that they should appoint certaine of their brethren to sing with instruments of musike, with violes and harpes, and cymbales, that they might make a sounde, and lift vp their voyce with ioye.
And Dauid spake to the chiefe of the Leuites, that they should appoint certaine of their brethren to sing with instruments of musike, with violes and harpes, and cymbales, that they might make a sounde, and lift vp their voyce with ioye.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then David said to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives the singers, with instruments of music, harps, lyres, loud-sounding cymbals, to raise a sound of gladness.
Then David said to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives the singers, with instruments of music, harps, lyres, loud-sounding cymbals, to raise a sound of gladness.
Berean Standard Bible
David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to raise their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments-harps, lyres, and cymbals.
David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to raise their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments-harps, lyres, and cymbals.
Complete Jewish Bible
David spoke to the chief of the L'vi'im to appoint their kinsmen to be singers making use of musical instruments — lutes, lyres and cymbals — to play loudly and raise sounds of joy.
David spoke to the chief of the L'vi'im to appoint their kinsmen to be singers making use of musical instruments — lutes, lyres and cymbals — to play loudly and raise sounds of joy.
Darby Translation
And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren, the singers, with instruments of music, lutes, and harps, and cymbals, that they should sound aloud, lifting up the voice with joy.
And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren, the singers, with instruments of music, lutes, and harps, and cymbals, that they should sound aloud, lifting up the voice with joy.
Easy-to-Read Version
David told the Levite leaders to get their brothers, the singers. The singers were to take their lyres, harps, and cymbals and sing happy songs.
David told the Levite leaders to get their brothers, the singers. The singers were to take their lyres, harps, and cymbals and sing happy songs.
George Lamsa Translation
And David spoke to the elders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding by raising up their voices in joy.
And David spoke to the elders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding by raising up their voices in joy.
Good News Translation
David commanded the leaders of the Levites to assign various Levites to sing and to play joyful music on harps and cymbals.
David commanded the leaders of the Levites to assign various Levites to sing and to play joyful music on harps and cymbals.
Lexham English Bible
Then David ordered the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers with instruments of song, musical instruments, stringed instruments, and cymbals, raising their voices for joy.
Then David ordered the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers with instruments of song, musical instruments, stringed instruments, and cymbals, raising their voices for joy.
Literal Translation
And David commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers with instruments of song, psalteries, and harps, and sounding cymbals, to lift up the voice for joy.
And David commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers with instruments of song, psalteries, and harps, and sounding cymbals, to lift up the voice for joy.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And Dauid spake vnto ye rulers of ye Leuites, that they shulde ordeyne some of their brethren to be syngers with psalteries, harpes and loude instrumentes, and Cimbales, to synge loude with ioye.
And Dauid spake vnto ye rulers of ye Leuites, that they shulde ordeyne some of their brethren to be syngers with psalteries, harpes and loude instrumentes, and Cimbales, to synge loude with ioye.
American Standard Version
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
Bible in Basic English
And David gave orders to the chief of the Levites to put their brothers the music-makers in position, with instruments of music, corded instruments and brass, with glad voices making sounds of joy.
And David gave orders to the chief of the Levites to put their brothers the music-makers in position, with instruments of music, corded instruments and brass, with glad voices making sounds of joy.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Dauid spake to the chiefe heades of the Leuites, that they should appoynt certaine of their brethren to sing with instrumentes of musicke, psalteries, harpes, and cymbales, that they might make a sounde, and to sing on hie with ioyfulnesse.
And Dauid spake to the chiefe heades of the Leuites, that they should appoynt certaine of their brethren to sing with instrumentes of musicke, psalteries, harpes, and cymbales, that they might make a sounde, and to sing on hie with ioyfulnesse.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
King James Version (1611)
And Dauid spake to the chiefe of the Leuites, to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musicke, Psalteries, and Harpes, and Cymbales, sounding, by lifting vp the voice with ioy.
And Dauid spake to the chiefe of the Leuites, to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musicke, Psalteries, and Harpes, and Cymbales, sounding, by lifting vp the voice with ioy.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And David said to the chiefs of the Levites, Set your brethren the singers with musical instruments, lutes, harps, and cymbals, to sound aloud with a voice of joy.
And David said to the chiefs of the Levites, Set your brethren the singers with musical instruments, lutes, harps, and cymbals, to sound aloud with a voice of joy.
English Revised Version
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Dauid seide to the princes of dekenes, that thei schulden ordeyne of her britheren syngeris in orguns of musikis, that is, in giternes, and harpis, and symbalis; that the sown of gladnesse schulde sowne an hiy.
And Dauid seide to the princes of dekenes, that thei schulden ordeyne of her britheren syngeris in orguns of musikis, that is, in giternes, and harpis, and symbalis; that the sown of gladnesse schulde sowne an hiy.
Update Bible Version
And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
Webster's Bible Translation
And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren [to be] the singers with instruments of music, psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren [to be] the singers with instruments of music, psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.
New King James Version
Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy.
Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy.
New Living Translation
David also ordered the Levite leaders to appoint a choir of Levites who were singers and musicians to sing joyful songs to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals.
David also ordered the Levite leaders to appoint a choir of Levites who were singers and musicians to sing joyful songs to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals.
New Life Bible
Then David told the heads of the Levites to choose their brothers who sing and play music. They were to play harps and timbrels and make sounds of joy.
Then David told the heads of the Levites to choose their brothers who sing and play music. They were to play harps and timbrels and make sounds of joy.
New Revised Standard
David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their kindred as the singers to play on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise loud sounds of joy.
David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their kindred as the singers to play on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise loud sounds of joy.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And David spake to the chiefs of the Levites, to station their brethren the singers, with instruments of song, harps and lyres, and cymbals, - sounding aloud at the lifting up of the voice, for joy.
And David spake to the chiefs of the Levites, to station their brethren the singers, with instruments of song, harps and lyres, and cymbals, - sounding aloud at the lifting up of the voice, for joy.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites, to appoint some of their brethren to be singers with musical instruments, to wit, on psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, that the joyful noise might resound on high.
And David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites, to appoint some of their brethren to be singers with musical instruments, to wit, on psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, that the joyful noise might resound on high.
Revised Standard Version
David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brethren as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.
David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brethren as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.
Young's Literal Translation
And David saith to the heads of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of song, psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, sounding, to lift up with the voice for joy.
And David saith to the heads of the Levites to appoint their brethren the singers, with instruments of song, psalteries, and harps, and cymbals, sounding, to lift up with the voice for joy.
THE MESSAGE
David ordered the heads of the Levites to assign their relatives to sing in the choir, accompanied by a well-equipped marching band, and fill the air with joyful sound.
David ordered the heads of the Levites to assign their relatives to sing in the choir, accompanied by a well-equipped marching band, and fill the air with joyful sound.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives the singers, with instruments of music, harps, lyres, loud-sounding cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.
Then David spoke to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives the singers, with instruments of music, harps, lyres, loud-sounding cymbals, to raise sounds of joy.
Contextual Overview
1 David had several buildings built in Jerusalem, and he had a tent set up where the sacred chest would be kept. 2 He said, "Only Levites will be allowed to carry the chest, because the Lord has chosen them to do that work and to serve him forever." 3 Next, David invited everyone to come to Jerusalem and watch the sacred chest being carried to the place he had set up for it. 4 He also sent for Aaron's descendants and for the Levites. The Levites that came were: 5 Uriel, the leader of the Kohath clan, and one hundred twenty of his relatives; 6 Asaiah, the leader of the Merari clan, and two hundred twenty of his relatives; 7 Joel, the leader of the Gershon clan, and one hundred thirty of his relatives; 8 Shemaiah, the leader of the Elizaphan clan, and two hundred of his relatives; 9 Eliel, the leader of the Hebron clan, and eighty of his relatives; and 10 Amminadab, the leader of the Uzziel clan, with one hundred twelve of his relatives.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
And David: 2 Chronicles 30:12, Ezra 7:24-28, Isaiah 49:23
chief: 1 Chronicles 15:12, Acts 14:23, 1 Timothy 3:1-15, 2 Timothy 2:2, Titus 1:5
the singers: 1 Chronicles 15:27, 1 Chronicles 15:28, 1 Chronicles 6:31-38, 1 Chronicles 13:8, 1 Chronicles 16:42, 1 Chronicles 23:5, 1 Chronicles 25:1-6, 2 Chronicles 29:28-30, Nehemiah 12:36, Nehemiah 12:46, Psalms 87:7, Psalms 149:3, Psalms 150:3, Psalms 150:4
lifting up: 2 Chronicles 5:13, Ezra 3:10, Ezra 3:11, Nehemiah 12:43, Psalms 81:1, Psalms 92:1-3, Psalms 95:1, Psalms 100:1, Jeremiah 33:11
Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 6:15 - with shouting 1 Chronicles 9:33 - the singers 1 Chronicles 15:19 - General 1 Chronicles 15:22 - song 1 Chronicles 16:5 - Asaph 2 Chronicles 5:12 - the Levites 2 Chronicles 7:6 - the Levites 2 Chronicles 8:14 - the Levites 2 Chronicles 20:19 - Levites 2 Chronicles 23:13 - the singers 2 Chronicles 29:25 - And he set 2 Chronicles 34:12 - all Nehemiah 12:27 - thanksgivings Psalms 33:2 - Praise Psalms 68:24 - even Psalms 92:3 - instrument Psalms 98:5 - General Psalms 150:5 - the loud cymbals Daniel 3:10 - the cornet
Cross-References
Genesis 15:5
Then the Lord took Abram outside and said, "Look at the sky and see if you can count the stars. That's how many descendants you will have."
Then the Lord took Abram outside and said, "Look at the sky and see if you can count the stars. That's how many descendants you will have."
Genesis 15:8
Abram asked, " Lord God, how can I know the land will be mine?"
Abram asked, " Lord God, how can I know the land will be mine?"
Genesis 15:9
Then the Lord told him, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a dove, and a young pigeon."
Then the Lord told him, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a dove, and a young pigeon."
Genesis 15:11
And when birds came down to eat the animals, Abram chased them away.
And when birds came down to eat the animals, Abram chased them away.
Exodus 12:40
The Lord 's people left Egypt exactly four hundred thirty years after they had arrived.
The Lord 's people left Egypt exactly four hundred thirty years after they had arrived.
Daniel 8:23
When these rulers have become as evil as possible, their power will end, and then a king who is dangerous and cannot be trusted will appear.
When these rulers have become as evil as possible, their power will end, and then a king who is dangerous and cannot be trusted will appear.
1 Thessalonians 2:16
They keep us from speaking his message to the Gentiles and from leading them to be saved. The Jews have always gone too far with their sins. Now God has finally become angry and will punish them.
They keep us from speaking his message to the Gentiles and from leading them to be saved. The Jews have always gone too far with their sins. Now God has finally become angry and will punish them.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And David spake to the chief of the Levites,.... The six before mentioned, 1 Chronicles 15:11
to appoint their brethren to be the singers; before the ark, as they brought it up:
with instruments of music, psalteries, and harps, and cymbals; which were used in those times, see 2 Samuel 6:5
sounding by lifting up the voice with joy; the instrumental music was to be attended with vocal music, and that very sonorous and loud, and performed with all tokens of inward joy and gladness, as the occasion required.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The singers - Singing had long been recognized as appropriate to religious ceremonies Exodus 15:21; Jdg 5:1; 1 Chronicles 13:8; but this is the first occasion on which we find the duty of conducting musical services expressly laid on the Levites. Henceforth, the services of the tabernacle and the temple were regularly choral, and a considerable section of the Levites was trained in musical knowledge, and set apart to conduct this portion of the national worship.
