Le royaume uniLeviteChoir directorSingerMusicianProphetPsalmistc. 1000 BC
Asaph was a Levite of the Gershonite clan whom King David appointed to lead worship before the ark of the covenant, together with Heman and Jeduthun. He played cymbals and served as a choir director, and his service was understood as prophetic – in 2 Chronicles he is called 'the seer'. Asaph is associated with twelve psalms (Psalm 50 and 73–83), a collection that encompasses themes from God's sovereignty and judgment, through the problem of righteousness, to Israel's salvation history. His psalms testify to deep theological reflection and poetic power. Asaph also founded a dynasty of singers who remained active in temple service for several hundred years – from Solomon's dedication of the temple to the restoration after the Babylonian exile.
King David appointed Asaph as one of the three chief singers for service before the ark of the covenant, along with Heman and Jeduthun. Asaph belonged to the Gershonite branch of the tribe of Levi.
39These are their dwelling places, the settlements within their territories. To the sons of Aaron, of the clan of the Kohathites, since the lot fell to them,
5Asaph was the chief, Zechariah second to him, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with harps and lyres; and Asaph sounded the cymbals.
17So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from among his relatives, Asaph son of Berechiah; and from the sons of Merari, their relatives, Ethan son of Kushaiah;
37David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to minister before the ark regularly, according to each day's requirements.
Asaph and his sons prophesied using harps, lyres, and cymbals in temple service. David organized this arrangement, and Asaph served under the king's supervision.
1David and the commanders of the army set apart for service the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals. This was the number of the men who did this work according to their service:
Asaph participated alongside Heman and Jeduthun as singers and musicians at the dedication of Solomon's temple, where the glory of the Lord filled the house.
12and all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and kinsmen—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, and with them a hundred and twenty priests sounding trumpets.
13The trumpeters and singers joined as one, making a single sound of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD. As they lifted up their voices with trumpets, cymbals, and instruments of music, they praised the LORD: "He is good; his mercy endures forever." Then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud,
King Hezekiah referred to Asaph as 'the seer' when he restored temple service, and commanded the Levites to sing praises using the words of Asaph and David.
30King Hezekiah and the officials ordered the Levites to praise the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed their heads and worshiped.
The descendants of Asaph in service after the exile
Asaph's descendants continued to serve as singers when the people returned from the Babylonian exile under Ezra and Nehemiah, testifying to the longevity of the singing dynasty through nearly five hundred years.