4. Then David appointed some of the Levites to serve before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. They had the job of leading the worship. They gave thanks and praise to the Lord, the God of Israel.
5. Asaph was the leader. He played the cymbals. Zechariah was second to him. The other Levites were Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They played the lyres and harps.
6. Benaiah and Jahaziel were priests. They blew the trumpets regularly before the Ark of the Covenant with God.
7. That day David first gave Asaph and his relatives the job of singing praises to the Lord.
8. Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him.Tell the nations what he has done.
9. Sing to him. Sing praises to him.Tell about all the wonderful things he has done.
10. Be glad that you are his.Let those who ask the Lord for help be happy.
11. Depend on the Lord and his strength.Always go to him for help.
12. Remember the wonderful things he has done.Remember his miracles and his decisions.
13. You are the descendants of Israel, the Lord’s servant.You are the children of Jacob, his chosen people.
14. He is the Lord our God.His laws are for all the world.
15. He will keep his agreement forever.He will keep his promises always.
16. He will keep the agreement he made with Abraham.He will keep the promise he made to Isaac.
17. The Lord made it a law for the people of Jacob.He made it an agreement with Israel to last forever.
18. The Lord said, “I will give you the land of Canaan. The promised land will belong to you.”
19. Then God’s people were few in number.They were strangers in the land.
20. They went from one nation to another.They went from one kingdom to another.
21. But the Lord did not let anyone hurt them.He warned kings not to harm them.