Psalm 96

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With the Ark of the Covenant firmly secured in a tent within the city of David, the Levite singers and musicians who had participated in the processional that accompanied the transport of the Ark from Gath, were now given this landmark composition to premier before the Ark and the people. The original work, found in its entirety in 1 Chronicles 16:8-33, was at some juncture adapted into two of the Psalm manuscripts; 105 and 96.

1 Chronicles 16:8-22 adapted to Psalm 105:1-15

additional material later appended Psalm 105:16-45

1 Chronicles 16:23-33 adapted to Psalm 96: 1-13

     Following this train of thought presented for Psalm 136, we can see how this monumental event in the history of the Bible events may have taken place and the setting in which Psalm 136, 105 and 96 were originally performed.

• Ark is transported by the Levites - Psalm 136
• Dedication at the tent - 1 Chronicles 16:8-33
       adapted to Psalm 105 and Psalm 96
• Closing blessing by the Levites 1 Chronicles 16:34
       first verse of Psalm 136
• Concluding statements and blessing 1 Chronicles 16:34-35

     After a failed initial attempt to relocate the Ark to the city of David (1 Chronicles 13:1-14, 2 Samuel 6:1-11), David instructs the Levites to carry the Ark in the manner prescribed by Moses, on the shoulders of the Levites (1 Chronicles 15:1-29, 2 Samuel 6:12-15). The Ark is moved on the shoulders of the Levites from the house of Obed-Edom in Gath to a tent prepared in the city of David. The small marching ensemble of singers and musicians that accompanied the transport provided the cadence for the Ark bearers - Psalm 136.
     Entering the city of David to the cries and jubilation of the people, the Ark is secured within the tent and the Levites (1 Chronicles 16:1-7, 2 Samuel 6:16-19) are given a song commemorating the event (1 Chronicles 16:8-33). Upon completion of this premier performance, the Levites conclude with a reiteration of the theme of Psalm 136:1 (1 Chronicles 16:34) that was sung as the Ark was carried. In the original work presented in the Chronicles account, we see a closing statement and a clear relationship to Psalm 136 that was sung by the Levites as they carried the Ark to the city of David:

     After presenting burnt offerings, David blesses the people in the Name of Yahveh Sabaoth (2 Samuel 6:18):

     One of the advantages of being able to look at the Psalm manuscripts melodically and harmonically is how the verses are numbered. For example, if we look at Psalm 96:12-13 as it appears in most Bibles, we can see that the phrase "before Yahveh" is placed at the beginning of verse 13.

     As written, verse 13 does make a great deal of sense. However, with the consideration of the melody derived, we find that this phrase before Yahveh is actually an extended section and transitional phrase of the previous verse.

     Both from a lyrical standpoint and a melodic standpoint, the phrase "before Yahveh" was clearly intended to be part of the verse 12 and not a separate thought hooked to verse 13. You can prove this by asking the question posed in verse 12, "What did the trees cry out for joy before Yahveh?" The answer, "For He is come, For He is come to govern the world..."
     From the texts that follow, it was at this juncture that David not only re-instituted the ritual functions of the priests (1 Chronicles 16:39-40) at the Tabernacle, but also formally incorporated along side the rituals of the priests, a service-of-song that utilized the non-priest Levite musicians and singers. This form of worship service with music and singers would outlive the priestly functions into our present day. David apparently also initiated for the first time, or at least brought it to the forefront, the incorporation of the playing the Name of Yahveh and Yah within the melodies of the singers and musicians.

     We find this compositional device and form of musical praise in the opening melody verse of Psalm 105 (the parallel manuscript of 1 Chronicles 16:8). Within Psalm 96 (the second part of this initial composition) we find the sequence of tones A - C - B - C that correlate to the Name of Yahveh in relation to the Davidic cipher are found in four places:

1. measures 8 through 11
2. measures 49 through 51
3. measures 57 through 59
4. measures 84 through 87

Some other examples of melodically playing "Yahveh" within the melody

     Along with being able to see this very clever compositional device incorporated within the melodies of the Psalms, we are also able to see more clearly the structure of the compositions in relation to not just the words themselves, but also melodically. Even without consideration of the beautiful lyrics, Psalm 96 is a major vocal work embodying strong themes and melodic lines, beautiful harmonic structures and provides one of the classic examples of the application of the Davidic cipher and the te'amim in transcribing the Psalm manuscripts.

     We additionally find that these sectional divisions of the melodies are carried over in the lyrics themselves with sections imperative and declarative statements.

Lyric Sheet Psalm 96

[A]

1. Sing to Yahveh a new song; Sing to Yahveh all the earth.

2. Sing to Yahveh, bless His Name; Proclaim His salvation from day-to-day.

3. Recount His glory among the nations; His marvelous works among all the peoples.

[B]

4. For great is Yahveh and greatly to be praised; He is to be reverenced above all gods.

5. For all gods of the people are worthless; but Yahveh made the heavens.

6. Splendor and honor are before Him; Strength and beauty in His sanctuary.

[C]

7. Give to Yahveh families of peoples; Give to Yahveh respect and strength.

8. Give to Yahveh, respect His Name; Carry an gift and come into His courts.

9. Bow down to Yahveh with the adornment of holiness; Tremble before Him all the earth.

bridge

Say among the nations, "Yahveh is King!"

[D] refrain

10. Also He established the world, not to be shaken; He will judge the peoples with equity.

11. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar and all that it holds.

12. Let the field exult and all that is in it; Then shall all the trees of the forest shout out before Yahveh:

[E] tag

13. "For He comes! For He comes to govern the earth!"

He will govern the world with righteousness and the people with consistency.

Psalm Transcriptions  |  Psalm 23