Asaph
Asaph was a Levite musician and psalmist during David's reign, and his descendants served as temple singers.
The name Asaph means “who gathers together”
MaleSingerTribe of LeviDivided Monarchy eraOld Testament5 books70 verses
Summary
Glossary entries
Family members
- Father
Alternative names
- אָסָףAsaph
Mentions
Includes 37 verses that refer to Asaph without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.
- Heman’s 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:
- 1 Chronicles 16:8Referred to, not named“Give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations.
- 1 Chronicles 16:9Referred to, not namedSing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders.
- 1 Chronicles 16:10Referred to, not namedGlory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
- 1 Chronicles 16:11Referred to, not namedSeek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.
- 1 Chronicles 16:12Referred to, not namedRemember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,
- 1 Chronicles 16:15Referred to, not namedRemember His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations—
- 1 Chronicles 16:34Referred to, not namedGive thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.
- 1 Chronicles 16:35Referred to, not namedThen cry out: ‘Save us, O God of our salvation; gather and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise.’
- 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 Asaph’s 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 king’s 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 Asaph’s 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.
- A Psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets.
- Psalm 50:3Referred to, not namedOur God approaches and will not be silent! Consuming fire precedes Him, and a tempest rages around Him.
- A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
- Psalm 73:2Referred to, not namedBut as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
- Psalm 73:3Referred to, not namedFor I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- Psalm 73:13Referred to, not namedSurely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
- Psalm 73:14Referred to, not namedFor I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
- Psalm 73:15Referred to, not namedIf I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
- Psalm 73:16Referred to, not namedWhen I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
- Psalm 73:17Referred to, not named…until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.
- Psalm 73:20Referred to, not namedLike one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.
- Psalm 73:21Referred to, not namedWhen my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,
- Psalm 73:22Referred to, not namedI was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.
- Psalm 73:23Referred to, not namedYet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.
- Psalm 73:24Referred to, not namedYou guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
- Psalm 73:25Referred to, not namedWhom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
- Psalm 73:26Referred to, not namedMy flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
- Psalm 73:28Referred to, not namedBut as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.
- A Maskil of Asaph. Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture?
- Psalm 74:9Referred to, not namedThere are no signs for us to see. There is no longer any prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last.
- Psalm 74:12Referred to, not namedYet God is my King from ancient times, working salvation on the earth.
- For the choirmaster: To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Psalm of Asaph. A song. We give thanks to You, O God; we give thanks, for Your Name is near. The people declare Your wondrous works.
- For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A song. God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel.
- For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.
- A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.
- Psalm 78:2Referred to, not namedI will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
- Psalm 78:3Referred to, not named…that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us.
- Psalm 78:4Referred to, not namedWe will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed.
- Psalm 78:5Referred to, not namedFor He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children,
- Psalm 78:65Referred to, not namedThen the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty warrior overcome by wine.
- A Psalm of Asaph. The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
- Psalm 79:4Referred to, not namedWe have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us.
- Psalm 79:8Referred to, not namedDo not hold past sins against us; let Your compassion come quickly, for we are brought low.
- Psalm 79:9Referred to, not namedHelp us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name.
- Psalm 79:10Referred to, not namedWhy should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations Your vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants.
- Psalm 79:12Referred to, not namedPay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.
- Psalm 79:13Referred to, not namedThen we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will thank You forever; from generation to generation we will declare Your praise.
- For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
- For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.
- A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:
- A song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, be not silent; be not speechless; be not still, O God.