Asaph

In short

A musician in the service of the LORD (1Ch 15:19) and considered a prophet also (1Ch 25:1-2).

Why he is important

He wrote 12 of the Psalms.

Biography

King David apparently invented the concept of dedicated musicians in organized worship, and appointed Asaph, Heman, Ethan, and other Levites to the task (1Ch 6:31-33, 39). Heman and Ethan each wrote a psalm of their own (88 and 89). But Asaph was “the chief” of the musicians (1Ch 16:4-7) and seems to have been above his peers.

A half-millennium later, Nehemiah reminisces, “For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God” (Neh 12:46). He puts Asaph on the same plane as David in their roles in musical worship.

And his descendants apparently carried on Asaph’s legacy for many generations after. (Ezra 3:10; Neh 7:44, 11:17)

Psalms of Asaph

Psalms 50 and 73-83. Aside from 50, the other 11 form the bulk of Book III of the book of Psalms.

I’m no expert on these psalms, but they are generally proclaiming judgment or the need to repent or asking “How long, O LORD?” There is still a ton of reverence for God in these Psalms, but they are not the “sing for joy” psalms we tend to think of.

Theology and doctrine

Keep in mind, this is all Old Testament worship, and we don’t follow the same procedures today. We don’t sacrifice animals, we don’t see Christians told to observe the Sabbath or use instruments.