¹⁹So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed, with cymbals of brass to sound aloud;
19–21. Probably an addition interpolated by someone interested in the detailed organisation of the Levitical choirs. The names are taken from verse 18, except that Ben is omitted, and a new name Azaziah is added at the end of the list. Since Obed-edom and Jeiel are included among the singers here, the reading “of the second degree” (which is regarded above as an error for an original “twelve”: a slight change in Hebrew) must have been found in the text of verse 18 which the interpolator used.
to sound aloud] The cymbals mark the time for the other instruments.
²⁰and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries set to Alamoth;
20. set to Alamoth] an obscure phrase, its musical significance being uncertain; compare Psalms xlvi. (title), Revised Version.
²¹and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps set to the Sheminith, to lead.
21. set to the Sheminith] As in the case of Alamoth, the precise musical significance of Sheminith is obscure. Compare Psalms vi. (title, Revised Version margin).
²²And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song[¹]: he instructed about the song[¹], because he was skilful.
[¹] Or, the carrying of the ark Hebrew the lifting up.
22. was over the song] The Hebrew word (massa) here twice rendered “song” means “uplifting,” either of the voice in song, or in a physical sense = “burden”; hence margin was over the carrying of the ark.