2 Chronicles 20:21

21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his[a] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”

Images for 2 Chronicles 20:21

2 Chronicles 20:21 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever."
New Living Translation (NLT)
21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the LORD ; his faithful love endures forever!”
The Message Bible (MSG)
21 After talking it over with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed a choir for God; dressed in holy robes, they were to march ahead of the troops, singing, Give thanks to God, His love never quits.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed them that should sing unto Jehovah, and give praise in holy array, as they went out before the army, and say, Give thanks unto Jehovah; for his lovingkindness [endureth] for ever.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
21 After he had advised the people, he appointed people to sing to the LORD and praise him for the beauty of his holiness. As they went in front of the troops, they sang, "Thank the LORD because his mercy endures forever!"
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
21 Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of [His] holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
21 Jehoshaphat asked the people for advice. Then he appointed men to sing to the Lord. He wanted them to praise him because of his glory and holiness. They marched out in front of the army. They said, "Give thanks to the Lord. His faithful love continues forever."

2 Chronicles 20:21 Meaning and Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:21

And when he had consulted with the people
His principal officers, in what order they should march, and in what manner they should form themselves, when they met the enemy, and how they should conduct as if they were to engage: he appointed singers unto the Lord;
to sing his praise, and give him glory, as if the victory was already completed, it being so sure: and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before
the army;
that is, praise God, who is glorious in holiness, whose beauty lies in his holiness, and who is holy in all his ways and works: and to say, praise the Lord, for his mercy endureth for ever;
with which they were to conclude their songs of praise, as David did, and whose songs they might sing; see ( Psalms 136:1-26 ) .

2 Chronicles 20:21 In-Context

19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”
21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”
22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
23 The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S 1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalms 29:2
  • 2. S 2 Chronicles 5:13; Psalms 136:1

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "him with the splendor of"
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