Attention musicians! Does the name Asaph mean anything to you? Anyone….anyone…..Bueller?
Although it might not mean anything to us, the name Asaph was as familar as Bach or Beethoven in ancient Israel. In Nehemiah 7, we get a specific example of the singers and muscians who led Israel’s worship during a critical point in their history. It would be the family of Asaph who returned from the exhile to lead the people in song.
The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148.
Nehemiah 7:44 ESV
Although Asaph was known for his exceptional talent on the bronze cymbals, (1 Ch 15:19, 1 Ch 16:15) he was much more than just a musician. In 2 Chronicles 29, he is described as a seer. Asaph’s purpose and calling was to glorify the Lord to the people through music.
“And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped.”
2 Chronicles 29:30 ESV
All in all, Asaph and his descendants would produce at least twelve psalms. It is no coincidence that during this time of strong musical leadership there was a revival of the spiritual condition. Under Solomon, Hezekiah, and even throughout the second temple which was constructed by Zerubbabel and Ezra, Asaph and his family left a powerful legacy of praise and worship. It played a vital role for the people’s spiritual condition.