Who was the Asaph mentioned in the Book of Psalms?

Son of Berechiah, a Levite, and one of David's chief musicians; he is also called the king's seer. Ps. 39, Ps. 62, and Ps. 77 are inscribed to him. Some of his descendants assisted in the service of song and some returned from exile. 1 Chr. 16:38, 41, 42; 1 Chr. 25:1-6; 2 Chr. 5:12; 2 Chr. 35:15; Neh. 11:17.

A leader of the choir in David's time, and once called a 'seer.' 2 Chr. 29:30. He was descended from Gershom the Levite. 1 Chr. 6:39; 1 Chr. 15:17, 19; 1 Chr. 16:5, 7, 37, etc. Twelve psalms are attributed to him, namely, 50, 73 to 83. His office seems to have been hereditary. Ezra 2:41; Ezra 3:10; Neh. 7:44, etc.

This psalm is not one of the Korahite series: that is ended. The singer now is Asaph, "the gatherer," from a word used for the gathering of fruit and also of men (as ver. 5). Twelve psalms are ascribed to Asaph, whether this be the singer of David's time, or (as most think) his family be included under it. The character of these psalms is plain in a general way by the place occupied by the other eleven, at the commencement of the third or sanctuary-book. They are saturated indeed with the thought of God's holiness; and the character and position of the present psalms are perfectly similar. Holiness indeed is an absolute necessity for the gathering of God's people; if it is to be with Him; and that is a principle which this psalm declares.

But was there no heart worship in these three chief singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, ( — Jeduthan, see 1 Chron. 16:41-42; 1 Chron. 25:6; 2 Chron. 29:14)? Let their psalms bear witness. There are twelve ascribed to Asaph, one to Heman, and one to Ethan.

On the right hand of Heman and his sons were Asaph and his sons, of the family of Gershom (1 Chr. 6:39). The sons of Asaph were “under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied at the direction of the king” (1 Chr. 25:2). Asaph’s ministry was prophetical, and in its present application brings “edification, exhortation, and comfort” to the saints, for “he that prophesies edifies the church” (1 Cor. 14:3-4). This did not proceed from Asaph, but was under the direction of the king. How blessed when there is prophecy in the assembly of God under the direction of our exalted Head, our Lord Jesus Christ. Where there is true prophetical ministry, that brings the mind of God to the saints, and gives them the sense that they are in the presence of the Lord, there will be a special note of praise, such as is represented by that of the sons of Asaph, who were under his direction.

Moreover, it is under the king's direction that Asaph; Heman, David's seer in the words of God; and Jeduthun prophesy with sacred instruments — whether it be to celebrate and praise the Lord, or whether it be to exalt His power. This is one proof, among many others, that the Psalms are an inspired collection, whose character is prophetic.

In verses 9-31 we find the different courses of singers chosen by lot and in connection with their three leaders. Asaph has only four courses of twelve men each. Jeduthun has six courses, Heman has fourteen; in all twenty-four courses composed of 288 persons. They correspond to the courses of the priesthood. Heman, “the king's seer in the words of God, to exalt his power,” has the largest number of sons. His functions correspond to the glory of the kingdom, announced by prophecy and established by the word of God.

The current of apostasy running strong, and to outward eyes unchecked, we learn from Ps. 73 how it will affect the faithful at that time. So Asaph speaks, who was one of the Levites specially set apart by David as a leader in the service of song, and told off by the king to minister before the ark in the tent pitched for it in the city of David (1 Chron. 6:39, 16:37). To one of this man's compositions we have been already introduced in Ps. 1. Now, from 73 to 83 inclusive, we have others. After these we have no more in the whole collection ascribed to him as their author. In character with Ps. 1, which is manifestly prophetic, though in part applicable to Israel at all time, these Psalms, on the consideration of which we now enter, carry the reader on in thought to the circumstances of the latter days.

Asaph has twelve Psalms: Psalm 1 and Psalms 73--83.

To the chief musician, on stringed instruments: a psalm of Asaph, a song.

A psalm of Asaph.