David told the Levite leaders to appoint other Levites as musicians. He wanted them to make a joyful sound with lyres, harps and cymbals.

大卫吩咐利未人的族长，派他们歌唱的弟兄用琴瑟和钹作乐，欢欢喜喜地大声歌颂。

大卫吩咐利未人的领袖派他们歌唱的弟兄用琴瑟和钹的乐器奏乐，欢欢喜喜地大声歌颂。

大卫吩咐利未人的领袖派他们歌唱的弟兄用琴瑟和钹的乐器奏乐，欢欢喜喜地大声歌颂。

大卫又吩咐利未人的族长去派他们的族人做歌乐手，伴着琴瑟和钹的乐声欢唱。

大卫又吩咐利未支派的领袖，要指派他们的亲族负责歌唱，用琴瑟响钹各种乐器，欢欢喜喜高声歌唱。

大衛吩咐利未人的族長，派他們歌唱的弟兄用琴瑟和鈸作樂，歡歡喜喜地大聲歌頌。

大衛吩咐利未人的領袖派他們歌唱的弟兄用琴瑟和鈸的樂器奏樂，歡歡喜喜地大聲歌頌。

大衛吩咐利未人的領袖派他們歌唱的弟兄用琴瑟和鈸的樂器奏樂，歡歡喜喜地大聲歌頌。

大衛又吩咐利未人的族長去派他們的族人做歌樂手，伴著琴瑟和鈸的樂聲歡唱。

大衛又吩咐利未支派的領袖，要指派他們的親族負責歌唱，用琴瑟響鈸各種樂器，歡歡喜喜高聲歌唱。

大衛也吩咐利未人的首領要派立他們的族弟兄做歌唱者、拿琴瑟響鈸等樂器歡歡喜喜高聲作樂的人。

大衛告利未族長、立其昆弟謳歌者、以樂器琴瑟與鈸、欣然大發其音、而揚厥聲、

大闢告利未人長、使其同宗、謳歌、鳴琴、鼓瑟、或敲鈸、或操樂器、或發歌聲、以助忻喜。

大衛命利未人之族長、使善歌之同族、以樂器、以琴瑟與鈸、大聲歡欣歌頌、

David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers with instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up their voices with joy.

David was celebrating with all his might in front of God. So was the whole community of Israel. All of them were singing songs. They were also playing harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.

Another 4,000 will guard the gates. And 4,000 will praise the Lord with the instruments of music I’ve provided for that purpose.”

The trumpet players and other musicians played their instruments together. They praised the Lord and gave thanks to him. The singers sang to the music of the trumpets, cymbals and other instruments. They sang in praise to the Lord,“ The Lord is good. His faithful love continues forever.” Then a cloud filled the temple of the Lord.

Those who helped Zechariah also marched along. They were Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani. They brought musical instruments with them. That’s what David, the man of God, had ordered. Ezra led the group that was marching south. He was the teacher of the Law.

It was the duty of Heman and Jeduthun to blow the trumpets. They also had the duty of playing the cymbals and other instruments for the sacred songs. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at one of the gates.

The whole community bowed down. They worshiped the Lord. At the same time the musicians played their musical instruments. The priests blew their trumpets. All of that continued until the burnt offering had been sacrificed.So the offerings were finished. King Hezekiah got down on his knees. He worshiped the Lord. So did everyone who was with him.The king and his officials ordered the Levites to praise the Lord. They used the words of David and Asaph the prophet. They sang praises with joy. They bowed down and worshiped the Lord.

David was wearing a robe made out of fine linen. So were all the Levites who were carrying the ark. And so were the musicians and the choir director Kenaniah. David was also wearing a sacred linen apron.So the whole community of Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord. They shouted. They blew rams’ horns and trumpets. They played cymbals, lyres and harps.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord. Let us give a loud shout to the Rock who saves us.

A long time ago there had been directors for the musicians. There had also been directors for the songs for giving thanks and praise to God. It was in the time of David and Asaph.

As they make music they will sing,“ Zion, all our blessings come from you.”

Here are the Levites David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord. He did it after the ark was placed there.The men used their music to serve in front of the holy tent, the tent of meeting. They served there until Solomon built the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. They did their work according to the rules they had been given.Here are the men who served. The list also includes their sons. The family line of Kohath included Heman. He led the music. He was the son of Joel. Joel was the son of Samuel.Samuel was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Jeroham. Jeroham was the son of Eliel. Eliel was the son of Toah.Toah was the son of Zuph. Zuph was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Mahath. Mahath was the son of Amasai.Amasai was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Joel. Joel was the son of Azariah. Azariah was the son of Zephaniah.Zephaniah was the son of Tahath. Tahath was the son of Assir. Assir was the son of Ebiasaph. Ebiasaph was the son of Korah.Korah was the son of Izhar. Izhar was the son of Kohath. Kohath was the son of Levi. And Levi was the son of Israel.

Here is something else I want you to know. You have no authority to collect taxes, gifts or fees from these people. You may not collect them from the priests, Levites or musicians. You may not collect them from those who guard the temple gates. You may not collect them from the temple servants. And you may not collect them from other workers at the house of God in Jerusalem.Ezra, appoint judges and other court officials. When you do it, use the wisdom your God gives you. Those you appoint should do what is right and fair when they judge people. They should do it for everyone who lives west of the Euphrates River. They should do it for everyone who knows the laws of your God. And I want you to teach the people who don’t know those laws.Anyone who doesn’t obey the law of your God must be punished. The same thing applies to anyone who doesn’t obey my law. The people must be punished in keeping with the laws they have broken. Some of them must be put to death. Others must be forced to leave the places where they live. Others must have their property taken away from them. Still others must be put in prison.So here is what I, Ezra, say to you people of Israel.“ Give praise to the Lord. He is the God of our people who lived long ago. He has put it in the king’s heart to bring honor to the Lord’ s temple in Jerusalem. The king has honored the Lord in his letter.The Lord has been kind to me. He has caused the king and his advisers to be kind to me. In fact, all the king’s powerful officials have been kind to me. The strong hand of the Lord my God helped me. That gave me new strength. So I gathered together leaders from Israel to go up to Jerusalem with me.”

He said to them,“ You are the leaders of the families of Levi. You and the other Levites must set yourselves apart to serve the Lord and his people. You must carry up the ark of the Lord. He is the God of Israel. Put the ark in the place I’ve prepared for it.

Let them praise his name with dancing. Let them make music to him with harps and tambourines.

I left you on the island of Crete. I did this because there were some things that hadn’t been finished. I wanted you to put them in order. I also wanted you to appoint elders in every town. I told you how to do it.

Their kings will become like fathers to you. Their queens will be like mothers who nurse you. They will bow down to you with their faces toward the ground. They will kiss the dust at your feet to show you their respect. Then you will know that I am the Lord. Those who put their hope in me will not be ashamed.”

David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun. They set them apart to serve the Lord by prophesying while harps, lyres and cymbals were being played. Here is the list of the men who served in that way.From the sons of Asaph came Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph. He prophesied under the king’s direction.From the sons of Jeduthun came Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah. The total number was six. They were under the direction of their father Jeduthun. He prophesied while playing the harp. He used it to thank and praise the Lord.From the sons of Heman came Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shubael, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti- Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir and Mahazioth.All of them were sons of the king’s prophet Heman. They were given to Heman to bring him honor. That’s what God had promised. God gave him 14 sons and three daughters.All of them were under the direction of their father. They played music for the Lord’ s temple. They served at the house of God by playing cymbals, lyres and harps. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the king’s direction.

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church. The elders had trusted in the Lord. Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted. They placed the elders in the Lord’s care.

Praise him by blowing trumpets. Praise him with harps and lyres.Praise him with tambourines and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes.

They will be the sounds of joy and gladness. The voices of brides and grooms will fill the streets. And the voices of those who bring thank offerings to my house will be heard there. They will say,“‘ Give thanks to the Lord who rules over all, because he is good. His faithful love continues forever.’ That’s because I will bless this land with great success again. It will be as it was before,” says the Lord.

Here is a saying you can trust. If anyone wants to be a leader in the church, they want to do a good work for God and people.A leader must be free from blame. He must be faithful to his wife. In anything he does, he must not go too far. He must control himself. He must be worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home. He must be able to teach.He must not get drunk. He must not push people around. He must be gentle. He must not be a person who likes to argue. He must not love money.He must manage his own family well. He must make sure that his children obey him. And he must do this in a way that gains him respect.Suppose someone doesn’t know how to manage his own family. Then how can he take care of God’s church?The leader must not be a new believer. If he is, he might become proud. Then he would be judged just like the devil.The leader must also be respected by those who are outside the church. Then he will not be put to shame. He will not fall into the devil’s trap.In the same way, deacons must be worthy of respect. They must be honest and true. They must not drink too much wine. They must not try to get money by cheating people.They must hold on to the deep truths of the faith. Even their own minds tell them to do that.First they must be tested. Then let them serve as deacons if there is nothing against them.In the same way, the women must be worthy of respect. They must not say things that harm others. In anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of trust in everything.A deacon must be faithful to his wife. He must manage his children and family well.Those who have served well earn the full respect of others. They also become more sure of their faith in Christ Jesus.I hope I can come to you soon. But now I am writing these instructions to you.Then if I have to put off my visit, you will know how people should act in God’s family. The family of God is the church of the living God. It is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

The builders laid the foundation of the Lord’ s temple. Then the priests came. They were wearing their special clothes. They brought their trumpets with them. The Levites who belonged to the family line of Asaph also came. They brought their cymbals with them. The priests and Levites took their places to praise the Lord. They did everything just as King David had required them to.They sang to the Lord. They praised him. They gave thanks to him. They said,“ The Lord is good. His faithful love to Israel continues forever.” All the people gave a loud shout. They praised the Lord. They were glad because the foundation of the Lord’ s temple had been laid.

Shout for joy to the Lord, everyone on earth.

On that day large numbers of sacrifices were offered. The people were glad because God had given them great joy. The women and children were also very happy. The joyful sound in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

You have heard me teach in front of many witnesses. Pass on to people you can trust the things you’ve heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others also.

God helped the people of Judah. He helped them agree with one another. So they did what the king and his officials had ordered. They did what the Lord told them to do.

Sing joyfully to God! He gives us strength. Give a loud shout to the God of Jacob!

Lord, it is good to praise you. Most High God, it is good to make music to honor you.It is good to sing every morning about your love. It is good to sing every night about how faithful you are.I sing about it to the music of the lyre that has ten strings. I sing about it to the music of the harp.