Bible Author Who:

Wrote more of the Bible than: Peter, James,

Jude, Jonah,Amos, Micah, Joel, Malachi,

Nahum, Zephaniah, Obadiah, Habakkuk, Haggai

“Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?” (v. 19)

“Again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel” (v. 41)

“He chose David…to shepherd Jacob His people” (70-72)

Who Wrote This? ASAPH

PSALM 78

What do we know about

Asaph?

Who is Asaph?

Wrote 12 PsalmsPsalm 50

Psalms 73-83Wrote 2nd

Longest Psalm

Heartfelt Cries“Surely have cleansed

my heart in vain” (73:13)

“Why have you cast us off forever?” (74:1,10)

“Has God forgotten to be gracious?” (77:9)

“How long Lord? Will you be angry forever?” (79:5)

What did Asaph see

that caused him to write

these words?

Who is Asaph?

Life spans one of most important

periods in Israel’s History

From King David, to Solomon to

Reheboam & Jereboam

David Appointed Men over Service of Song (1 Chr. 6)

“Now these are the men whom David appointed over the service

of song in the house of the Lord……Heman (v.33)…Asaph (v.39)…Ethan (v.44)”

Levi

Gershon Kohath Merari

Berachiah

ASAPH

KorahElkanahSamuel

Joel

HEMANETHAN

Aaron

1 Chronicles 6:31-48

2 Chronicles 29:30 “King Hezekiah… commanded the Levites to sing praise to the Lord with the words of David and Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and they bowed their heads and worshipped”

300 years later King Hezekiah refers to Asaph

David appointed Asaph as a director of song when he brought the Ark to Jerusalem (1 Chron. 6:31,39)

At least 20 years old at this point (must be 20 to serve as Levite 1 Chr. 23:24)

Left to serve before the Ark in music (1 Chron. 16:37)

Possibly put David’s psalms to music (1 Chr. 16:7) would have been personally acquainted with context of David’s psalms

What do we know about Asaph?

Solomon appointed Asaph as a director of song when he brought the Ark to the New Temple (2 Chron. 5:2,11-14)

Context of Psalm 74, 79 indicate he was alive during early years of King Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25-26) and subsequently King Jeroboam

What do we know about Asaph?

At least 20 when appointed to serve when ark brought to Jerusalem during David’s 10th year of reign

20 plus 30 more yrs of David’s reignPlus 40 yrs of Solomon’s reignPlus at least 5 yrs of Rehob.’s reign20 + 30 + 40 + 5 = aprx. 100 years

Life span of Asaph

Why is all of this significant?

Imagine all that Asaph witnessed!

Gives insight to understanding context of his Psalms

Importance of Historical

ContextReal EventsReal PeopleReal Application

Written for our admonition (1 Cor. 10:11)

Psalm 73:1-3f “My feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked”

What did Asaph see that almost caused him to stumble?

Psalm 74 “The enemy damaged everything in the sanctuary, your enemies roar in the midst of your meeting place…lift up axes…set fire to your sanctuary”

When did Asaph see this happen?

Psalm 79 “They have laid Jerusalem in heaps. The dead bodies of your servants…their blood they have shed”

When did Asaph see this happen?

Egypt King Shishak attacked Jerusalem5th yr of Rehoboam

(2 Chron. 12:1-8)

1200 chariots60,000 horsemen400,000 footmen

(Josephus)

“carried off the treasures of the temple of the LORD and the treasures of the royal palace. He

took everything”

Rise of David’s golden age Fall of David/Bathsheba Revolt of Absalom Acq. personally w/context of David’s Psalms Building of Solomon’s temple Solomon’s apostasy (idolatry, wives) Murder of brother Zechariah (Mt. 23:35) Divided Kingdom: Rehob. & Jerob. King Shishak of Egypt attack on Jerusalem,

plundering of Temple (1Ki. 14:25-26; 2 Chron. 12:9-10, Josephus)

Relatives killed in Egypt’s attack

Imagine what Asaph Witnessed

Importance of Worship

Men who were Trained288 trained, skilled (1 Chr. 25:1-7)

Men who invoked PraiseProphesy, Thanks, Praise, Commemorate, celebrate (1Chr.16:4)

Psalms-inspired SongbookSing Psalms hymns spir.songs (Eph.5:19)

Importance of Worship

I will learn to sing With purpose, intentWith joy and thanksWith praise

God is Faithful•Even when:

•World is falling apart•Others are unfaithful•Suffer, lose loved ones•Don’t understand why things are happening

GOD IS FAITHFUL50:3 God shall come and not keep silent73:17f Surely you set the wicked in

slippery places76:3 Break the arrows of the enemy77:14 You are the God who does wonders78:19 Can provide a table in the wilderness

I will remember, go to sanctuary, sing, praise, trust,