Kept the feast.... with great gladness. — See 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 15:16, seq., 1 Chronicles 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., Psalms 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. 2 Chronicles 5:12-13; 1 Chronicles 15:28; 1 Chronicles 16:42, from which it appears that the chronicler preferred music that was loud and strong.)