Saturday 9 April 2022

1 Chron 16:23-33 compared with Psalms 96

Psalms 96 is a very well formed poetic structure as is demonstrated in the performance recorded here. You have to take the 5 minutes to listen in order to understand and hear what the structure is - it is so aurally obvious. 

The version of the psalm in 1 Chron 16 has a different versification and a different form. It begins by missing out verses 1a and 2a. 1 Chronicles does not mention the new song. Only Isaiah (42:10) mentions a new song once outside of the Psalms (6 times 33:3, 40:4, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1).

1 Chr 16:23-33 Psalms 96

23 ♪C 
Sing to Yahweh all the earth.
1 ♪B Sing to Yahweh a new song.
Sing to Yahweh all the earth.

Publish from day to day his salvation.
2 ♪B Sing to Yahweh. Bless his name.
Publish from day to day his salvation.
24 Recount in the nations his glory,
to all the peoples his wonders.
3 Recount in the nations his glory,
to all the peoples his wonders.

25 For great is Yahweh and much to be praised,
and to be feared he is, above all gods.
4 ♪f For great is Yahweh and much to be praised.
He is to be feared above all gods.
26 ♪~ For all the gods of the peoples are good for nothing,
but Yahweh made the heavens.
5 ♪C For all the gods of the peoples are good for nothing,
but Yahweh made the heavens.

27 ♪C Splendour and honour are in his presence. Strength and cheer are in his place. 6 Splendour and honour are in his presence,
strength and adornment in his sanctuary.
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28 Ascribe to Yahweh families of the peoples,
ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.
7 Ascribe to Yahweh, families of the peoples.
Ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.
29 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory of his name. ^
Bear a gift and come into his presence.
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8 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory of his name.
Bear a gift and come into his courts.
Worship Yahweh in the honour of holiness.
30 ♪C Let all the earth be brought to birth from his presence.
9 Worship Yahweh in the honour of holiness.
Let all the earth be brought to birth from his presence.

Indeed the world is established so it will not move.
10 Say to the nations, Yahweh reigns. Indeed the world is established so it will not move.
He will make the case for the peoples with uprightness.
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31 Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say in the nations, Yahweh reigns.
32 Let the sea thunder and its fullness.
11 Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice.
Let the sea thunder and its fullness.
Let the field be elated and all that are in it.
33 ♪f Then the trees of the forest will shout for joy, ^
12 Let the field exult and all that are in it.
Then all the trees of the forest will shout for joy,
from the presence of Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth.
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13 in the presence of Yahweh, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
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I don't have an equivalent performance for 1 Chronicles. The score is here. The Chronicler is recounting the words in a narrational performance, definitely not the same melody or form as the psalm. Verses 23-28 and 30-32 all have similar shapes (e) C ... g#-e. Verses 29 and 33 have a mid point atnah. I have put a carriage return at the zaqef-qatan to line up the words for reference. So Where Psalm 96 (score here) is in three stanzas, (1-6, 7-10, 11-13), 1 Chron is in two marked groups. 


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