Behold,blessthe LORD,allservantsof the LORD,Who serveby nightin the houseof the LORD!
So they and their sonshad chargeof the gatesof the houseof the LORD,[even] the houseof the tent,as guards.
They spentthe nightaroundthe houseof God,becausethe watchwas committedto them; and they [were] in chargeof opening[it] morningby morning.
Now theseare the singers,headsof fathers'[households] of the Levites,[who lived] in the chambers[of the temple] free[from other service]; for they were engagedin their workdayand night.
"My sons,do not be negligentnow,for the LORDhas chosenyou to standbeforeHim, to ministerto Him, and to be His ministersand burnincense."
"Moreover, standin the holyplace according to the sectionsof the fathers'householdsof your brethrenthe laypeople,and according to the Levites,by divisionof a father'shousehold.
Also Bakbukiahand Unni,their brothers,stood oppositethem in [their] servicedivisions.
Blessthe LORD,allyou His hosts,You who serveHim, doingHis will.
Praisethe LORD!Praise,O servantsof the LORD,Praisethe nameof the LORD.
In my troubleI criedto the LORD,And He answeredme.
I will liftup my eyesto the mountains;From whereshall my helpcome?
I was gladwhen they saidto me, "Let us goto the houseof the LORD."
To You I liftup my eyes,O You who are enthronedin the heavens!
"Had it not beenthe LORDwhowas on our side," Let Israelnowsay,
Those who trustin the LORDAre as MountZion,which cannotbe movedbut abidesforever.
When the LORDbroughtbackthe captiveones of Zion,We were like those who dream.
Unlessthe LORDbuildsthe house,They laborin vainwho buildit; Unlessthe LORDguardsthe city,The watchmankeepsawakein vain.
How blessedis everyonewho fearsthe LORD,Who walksin His ways.
"Manytimesthey have persecutedme from my youthup," Let Israelnowsay,
Out of the depthsI have criedto You, O LORD.
My soul[waits] for the LordMorethanthe watchmenfor the morning;[Indeed, more than] the watchmenfor the morning.
O LORD,my heartis not proud,normy eyeshaughty;Nordo I involvemyself in greatmatters, Or in thingstoodifficultfor me.
Remember,O LORD,on David'sbehalf, Allhis affliction;
Behold,howgoodand howpleasantit is For brothersto dwelltogetherin unity!
How blessedis the manwhose strengthis in You, In whose heartare the highways[to Zion]!
"At the doorwayof the tentof meeting,moreover, you shall remaindayand nightfor sevendaysand keepthe chargeof the LORD,so that you will not die,for soI have been commanded."
and then as a widowto the ageof eighty-four.She neverleftthe temple,servingnightand daywith fastingsand prayers.
At that timethe LORDsetapartthe tribeof Levito carrythe arkof the covenantof the LORD,to standbeforethe LORDto serveHim and to blessin His nameuntilthisday.
And a voicecamefrom the throne,saying,"Give praiseto our God,allyou His bond-servants,you who fearHim, the smalland the great."
"For thisreason,they are beforethe throneof God;and they serveHim dayand nightin His temple;and He who sitson the thronewill spread His tabernacleoverthem.
