(21) And when he had consulted with.--Or, advised, given counsel to, warned. (Comp. 2 Kings 6:8.) Vulg., "deditque consilium populo, et statuit cantores domini."
And that should praise the beauty of holiness.--Rather, and men praising, in holy apparel. i.e., Levitical vestments (1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2).
Verse 21. - And when he had consulted with the people; i.e. possibly simply "conferred with" those who were over the singers, as to who should be the most prominent in leading the service of praise, or as to what should be the words sung and other like matters of detail; or more probably, considering the exact form of language used, the reference is to what we are told Jehoshaphat had just done, to wit, counselled well the people and given good advice to them. Praise the beauty of holiness. The rendering should no doubt be in the beauty of holiness, i.e. in garments of beauty (1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2; Revised Version margin," in holy army "). Praisethe Lord; Revised Version, give thanks to the Lord (2 Chronicles 5:13; 2 Chronicles 7:3, 6; Psalm 106; Psalm 136.).
20:20-30 Jehoshaphat exhorted his troops to firm faith in God. Faith inspires a man with true courage; nor will any thing help more to the establishing of the heart in shaking times, than a firm belief of the power, and mercy, and promise of God. In all our trust in the Lord, and our praises of him, let us especially look at his everlasting mercy to sinners through Jesus Christ. Never was an army so destroyed as that of the enemy. Thus God often makes wicked people destroy one another. And never was a victory celebrated with more solemn thanksgivings.
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 Psalm 136:1.
And that should praise the beauty of holiness.--Rather, and men praising, in holy apparel. i.e., Levitical vestments (1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2).
And to say.--And saying.
Praise the Lord.--Give thanks unto Jehovah The refrain of the singers. (See on 1 Chronicles 16:34; 1 Chronicles 16:41; 2 Chronicles 5:13; 2 Chronicles 7:3.) The band of Levitical minstrels were to march before the army (hal-q, the armed host; Joshua 6:7).
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 Psalm 136:1.