Who was Asaph the Psalmist?

Three people in the Old Testament are recognized by the name Asaph.

Dictionaries - Easton's Bible Dictionary

1. A Levite; one of the leaders of David's choir ( 1 Chronicles 6:39 ). Psalms 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as skilled in music, and a "seer" ( 2 Chronicles 29:30 ). The "sons of Asaph," mentioned in 1Chr 1 Chronicles 20:14 , and Ezra 2:41 , were his descendants, or more probably a class of poets or singers who recognized him as their master.
2. The "recorder" in the time of Hezekiah ( 2 Kings 18:18 2 Kings 18:37 ).
3. The "keeper of the king's forest," to whom Nehemiah requested from Artaxerxes a "letter" that he might give him timber for the temple at Jerusalem ( Nehemiah 2:8 ).

Dictionaries - Easton's Bible Dictionary 
These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.

Encyclopedias - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Asaph
ASAPH

a'-saf ('acaph):

• Is the name of three men in the Old Testament, of whom one is the reputed author of Psalms 50 and 73-83. He was one of David's three chief musicians, the other two being Heman, and Ethan or Jeduthun, and we first hear of him when the ark was taken to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:16-19). He conducted with cymbals the music performed in the tent where the ark was housed (1 Chronicles 16:4,5,7,37), while his two coadjutors discharged the same office at Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:41,42). 
• In 1 Chronicles 25:1 we are told that four of his sons were appointed to conduct under him detachments of the great chorus, the families of Heman and Jeduthun also furnishing leaders, and all took part at the dedication of the temple (2 Chronicles 5:12). 
• Asaph, Herman, and Jeduthun were called the king's seers (1 Chronicles 25; 2 Chronicles 35:15), no doubt an official title of rank or dignity. The "Sons of Asaph" are mentioned in later times. They formed a guild, and played a prominent part at each revival of the national religion. See MUSIC; PSALMS.

James Millar

Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ASAPH'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.

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