But the Jews, when they had arranged the aforementioned choral group, as we have said before … : The aforementioned choral group most likely refers to the dance groups referred to in verse 32. So we may begin this verse with “During this time, the Jews arranged the dance groups (as we have already said)….”

Passed the time in feasting: The king had given them plenty of food and wine (verse 30), so we may render this phrase as “passed the time eating and drinking.”

To the accompaniment of joyous thanksgiving and psalms may be expressed as “and sang psalms and happy songs giving thanks to God.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• During this time, the Jews arranged the groups to dance (as we have already said), and then passed the time feasting [or, eating and drinking], dancing, and singing psalms and happy songs thanking God.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 3-4 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2018. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.