And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

1 CHRONICLES 13:8KJV
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1 Chronicles 13:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 13:8 mean?

1 Chronicles 13:8 describes King David and all the people of Israel celebrating with great energy and music as they honor God. The verse highlights their use of singing and a variety of musical instruments, showing a scene of joyful worship and national unity before God.

In this moment, David is leading the nation as they bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, which was a deeply significant and emotional event for Israel. The verse paints a vivid picture of the people’s enthusiasm, mentioning specific instruments and singing, to show how seriously and joyfully they approached worship in God’s presence.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 13:8

  • "Played" (שָׂחַק, sāchaq): This word often means to celebrate, rejoice, or make music, not just to play an instrument, but to express joy in a lively way. It suggests the people were not just performing music, but actively rejoicing before God.
  • "Before" (פָּנִים, pānîm): This word literally means "face" or "presence." Here, it emphasizes that the celebration was directed toward God, not just among themselves.
  • "Might" (עֹז, ‘oz): This word points to strength or power. Their worship was not half-hearted; it was done with all their energy and enthusiasm.
  • "Harps" (כִּנּוֹר, kinnor), "psalteries" (נֶבֶל, nevel), "timbrels" (תֹּף, tof), "cymbals" (מְצִלְתַּיִם, metziltayim), "trumpets" (חֲצֹצְרָה, chatzotzerah): These are specific musical instruments, showing the variety and richness of the musical celebration.

Why 1 Chronicles 13:8 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that biblical worship was quiet or somber; instead, it shows worship as something vibrant, communal, and expressive.
  • The detailed mention of instruments and singing highlights the importance of music in Israel’s worship and in marking significant spiritual moments.
  • By focusing on David and all Israel acting "before God," the verse connects their joy and unity directly to their relationship with God, not just to a national event.

Where else these words appear

“cymbals” Hebrew H4700 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:16 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.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:42 And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

“timbrels” Hebrew H8596 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
  • 2 Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
  • Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

“trumpets” Hebrew H2689 · used in 27 verses

  • Numbers 10:2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.

“played” Hebrew H7832 · used in 36 verses

  • Judges 16:25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
  • Job 39:7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
  • Proverbs 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;