“And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.”
Lord, wishing them all felicity, and making them presents, like the master of a family, ver. 43, and 2 Kings vi. 18. (Calmet) — Any superior may bless. (Worthington)
“And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine.”
Oil. The precise signification of the Hebrew Ashisha, is not known. (Calmet) — Protestants, “a flagon of wine.” (Haydock) — It denotes any thing “exhilarating.” (Tirinus) (Du Hamel)
“And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:”
Appointed, as a prophet, (Haydock) or by dispensation. The high priest has supreme spiritual power, Deuteronomy xvii. 18., &c. (Worthington)
“Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals; with psalteries: Heb. with instruments of psalteries and harps”
Zacharias, at the head of the second band. These played on the nable and kinnor, as the women did not sing in the tabernacle. Jahiel should be Oziel, (chap. xv. 18., &c.; Calmet) unless he be the same person, chap. xv. 18. (Haydock) — Instruments. Literally, “organs.” (Haydock) — Hebrew, “the instruments of nables.” (Vatable) (Menochius)
“Benaiah also and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually before the ark of the covenant of God.”
Jaziel. We read Eliezer, &c., chap. xv. 24. — Continually. At the appointed times.
“Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD into the hand of Asaph and his brethren.”
Made. Hebrew, “gave first, to thank the Lord, into the hand of Asaph and his brethren this psalm,” (Haydock) in order the 104th; and from ver. 23 we find the 95th in the Psalter, with some improvements. (Tirinus)
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”
Power. The ark was frequently the instrument of God’s power; and his people are exhorted to present themselves to pray before it. (Calmet) — God seemed to dwell there, and often displayed his wonders. (Du Hamel)
“O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.”
Israel. In Psalm civ., Abraham.
“Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.”
Prophets. The ancient patriarchs ruled their families as kings, and directed them by word and example, like the most holy prophets. (Calmet) — Both are frequently styled anointed. (Haydock)
“Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.”
Place. In Psalm xcv. 6., holiness and majesty in his sanctuary. Hebrew, “strength and beauty in,” &c. God is served in his tabernacle with piety.
“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”
Sacrifice, of flour and wine. — Beauty. Hebrew, “in the beauty of his sanctuary.” Psalms, Come into his courts: adore ye the Lord in his holy court.
“Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.”
Presence. Here the psalm adds, say ye among, as [in] ver. 31.
“And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.”
And say, &c., is not in the psalm; and it seems not to agree with the flourishing state of David’s kingdom: yet he might speak with the spirit of prophecy, or wish that all his subjects might live in happiness and concord under him. (Calmet) — Others think that Esdras inserted these verses to be sung in the second temple, (Lyranus; Estius) when many still remained in captivity. Yet they may refer to the time of Christ. (Du Hamel)
“Blessed be the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.”
And sing. Hebrew, “and Alleluia,” or, “all….said, (or shall say) truth and praise be to the Lord.”
“And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,”
Sadoc was to minister at Gabaon, with Heman, Idithun, &c., while Abiathar, Asaph, &c., officiated at Jerusalem. (Calmet) — This regulation continued till towards the end of David’s reign, (Haydock) when fresh orders were given, chap. xxiii., &c. We find Abiathar and Sadoc were both at Jerusalem, when David was obliged to flee, 2 Kings xv. 24., and 3 Kings i. 7. The altar at Gabaon continued some time longer, 3 Kings iii. 3.
“And all the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.”
Bless, or feast, (Du Hamel) with his family, on part of the sacred victims. (Haydock)