“They glorified him
For the tens of thousands that he conquered.
They praised him
For the blessings bestowed
By the Lord.
The glorious diadem was given to him.
He wiped out his enemies on every side.
He annihilated his adversaries,
The Philistines.
He crushed their power even to our own day.
In all that he did
He gave thanks to the Holy One,
The Most High,
Proclaiming his glory.
He sang praise
With all his heart.
He loved his Maker.
He placed singers before the altar.
They made sweet melody with their voices.
Daily they sing his praises.
He gave beauty to the festivals.
He arranged their times
Throughout the year.
They praised God’s holy name.
The sanctuary resounded from early morning.
The Lord took away his sins.
He exalted his power forever.
He gave him a covenant of kingship.
He gave him a glorious throne in Israel.”
Sirach told of the glory of King David who had killed thousands of his enemies. He was praised for the Lord’s blessings that he had received. He was given a glorious diadem crown to wear, after an unmentioned dispute with King Saul. David wiped out his enemies, especially the Philistines, but they kept coming back for more. However, David gave thanks to the Holy One, the Most High God. He loved his creator. He sang praises to him. He had singers at the altar as well as set up wonderful festivals throughout the year. Although there is mention of a sanctuary, the Temple was not built until his son King Solomon built it. The Lord took away the sins of David and established a covenant of kingship with him on the throne in Israel. In light of what was to come, there was no eternal covenant of kingship.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 