(21) Kept the feast. . . . with great gladness.--See 1Chronicles 13:8; 1Chronicles 15:16, seq., 1Chronicles 15:28, and similar passages.

And the Levites.--With stringed instruments.

And the priests.--With clarions.

Praised.--Were praising; throughout the seven days' festival.

Singing.--Omit.

With loud instruments unto the Lord.--With instruments of strength to Jehovah. This curious phrase apparently means instruments with which they ascribed strength to Jehovah; that is to say, with which they accompanied their psalms of praise. (Comp. the many psalms which glorify the strength of the God of Israel--e.g., Psalm 29:1, "Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye sons of God, ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength.")

There is, however, something to be said for the Authorised Version. (Comp. 2Chronicles 5:12-13; 1Chronicles 15:28; 1Chronicles 16:42, from which it appears that the chronicler preferred music that was loud and strong.)

Verse 21. - See Exodus 12:18, and many repetitions of the same matter, respecting the duration of the Passover and eating of unleavened bread. With loud instruments. Some render this, "instruments ascribing might to Jehovah." There seems no necessity for this; and the plain Hebrew text is "instruments of might," i.e. strong or loud instruments.

30:21-27 Many prayers were put up to God with the peace-offerings. In these Israel looked to God as the God of their fathers, a God in covenant with them. There was also abundance of good preaching. The Levites read and explained the Scriptures. Faith cometh by hearing, and true religion preaching has abounded. They sang psalms every day: praising God should be much of our work in religious assemblies. Having kept the seven days of the feast in this religious manner, they had so much comfort in it, that they kept other seven days also. This they did with gladness. Holy duties should be done with holy gladness. And when sinners humble themselves before the Lord, they may expect gladness in his ordinances. Those who taste this happiness will not soon grow weary of it, but will be glad to prolong their enjoyment.And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness,.... Which, according to the law of Moses, were always to follow the passover, Exodus 12:18.

and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord; or instruments of strength (t); so called not from the matter of them, or manner in which they were made, but either from the sound of them, as our version, or from the strength and power of God, which they set forth in praise; the Targum is,"with instruments of praise,''and so the word is sometimes used, see Psalm 8:2 compared with Matthew 21:16, the priests blew with trumpets, and the Levites played on harps, psalteries, &c. and this they did every day when the sacrifices were offered, during the seven days of unleavened bread.

(t) "cum instrumentis fortitudinis", Vatablus.