Singer living at the time of Divided Monarchy
Asaph was a Levite musician and psalmist during David's reign, and his descendants served as temple singers (1Ch.6.39; 15:17, 19; 16:5, 7, 37; 25:1, 2, 6, 9; 2Ch.5.12; 20:14; 29:13, 30; 35:15; Ezra 2:41; 3:10; Neh.7.44; 11:22; 12:35, 46; Psalms 50, 73-83).
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Asaph was a prominent Levite musician and psalmist during the reign of King David. He was appointed by David as one of the leaders of music in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Asaph, along with Heman and Ethan, was responsible for leading the musical worship and prophesying with lyres, harps, and cymbals. He also composed and collected psalms, with 12 psalms (50, 73-83) attributed to him in the Book of Psalms. Asaph's descendants continued to serve as temple singers and musicians for generations, as evidenced by their mention in the reigns of subsequent kings and in the post-exilic period. The "sons of Asaph" are often referred to as a distinct group of temple singers, highlighting the enduring legacy of Asaph's musical contributions to Israelite worship.
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33 verses in 5 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H0623
Hemanʼs kinsman was Asaph, who served at his right hand: Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea,
So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah;
The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals.
Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals
On that day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:
So David left Asaph and his associates there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to minister there regularly according to the daily requirements,
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:
From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king.
All these were under the direction of their fathers for the music of the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the direction of the king.
The first lot, which was for Asaph, fell to Joseph, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all; the second to Gedaliah, his sons, and his brothers—12 in all;
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets.
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaphʼs descendants, as he stood in the midst of the assembly.
Shimri and Jeuel from the Elizaphanites; Zechariah and Mattaniah from the Asaphites;
Then King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the LORD in the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped.
The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were at their stations according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the kingʼs seer. And the gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts, because their fellow Levites made preparations for them.
The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 128.
When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed.
The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148.
Now the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica. He was one of Asaphʼs descendants, who were the singers in charge of the service of the house of God.
and some of the priests with trumpets, and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph,
For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets.
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture?
We give thanks to You, O God; we give thanks, for Your Name is near. The people declare Your wondrous works.
God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel.
I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.
Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.
The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.
God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:
O God, be not silent; be not speechless; be not still, O God.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.