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2 Samuel 6

The Ark Came Dancing

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The Ark Came Dancing

2 Samuel 6

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The Ark Came Dancing

2 Samuel 6

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About this song

About this song

This song belongs to the 2 Samuel collection. 8 recordings are available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book
2 Samuel
Collection
2 Samuel
[Verse 1] Thirty thousand gathered To bring the ark from Baale. They set it on a new cart, But heaven had marked another way. The oxen shook; Uzzah reached; Judgment struck beside the road. David feared and left the ark Where Obed-edom's blessing flowed. [Refrain] Holiness is not familiar, Glory is not ours to steer. Joy must walk with reverence; Love must learn the shape of fear. [Verse 2] Three months later blessing Sent the king to seek once more. Bearers carried on their shoulders; Sacrifice went on before. David danced with all his might, A linen ephod, trumpet sound. Shouts rose high through Jerusalem As the ark came into town. [Chorus] The ark came dancing into Zion, Not the chest, but those around. Harps and cymbals, horns and voices, Every sixth step holy ground. David leapt before the Lord, His royal pride laid down; The ark came dancing into Zion Under acclamation's sound. [Bridge] Michal watched behind the window, Scorned the king for public zeal. David chose to be more humble Than a throne could make him feel. [Final Chorus] The ark came dancing into Zion, Blessing bread and meat and wine. Reverence and joy together Met before the name divine.

Named in this songArkDavidEphodJerusalemZion

About the passage

2 Samuel 6: Joy interrupted, then carried differently

David gathers a vast company to bring the ark to Jerusalem, and the first procession has everything that can look impressive from a distance: a new cart, named attendants, instruments, and public celebration. It ends suddenly when Uzzah reaches toward the shaken ark and dies. David's displeasure turns to fear, the journey stops, and the ark remains three months in Obededom's house, where blessing complicates any idea that its presence is only dangerous. When the procession resumes, the wording has changed. The ark has bearers, sacrifice accompanies the movement, and David dances before the LORD with all his might. The ark reaches the tent prepared for it, and the people receive food before returning home. Then the celebration narrows to David's own household. Michal condemns the king's public conduct as undignified; David answers that it was "before the LORD." The chapter ends not with the crowd's joy but with an unresolved domestic and dynastic quarrel over what royal dignity should look like in worship.

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