1. Bible Author Who: Wrote more of the Bible than: Peter, James,
Jude, Jonah,
Amos, Micah,
Joel, Malachi,
Nahum, Zephaniah,
Obadiah, Habakkuk, Haggai

2. PSALM 78 “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

3. What do we know
about Asaph?

4. Who is Asaph? Wrote 12 Psalms Psalm 50 Psalms 73-83 Wrote 2nd
Longest Psalm

5. What did Asaph see that caused him to write these words?
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?

6. Who is Asaph?
Life spans one of most important periods in Israel’s History
From King David, to Solomon to Reheboam & Jereboam

7. 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)”

9. 300 years later King Hezekiah refers to Asaph
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

10. What do we know about 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

11. 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

12. Life span of 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 reign
Plus 40 yrs of Solomon’s reign
Plus at least 5 yrs of Rehob.’s reign
= aprx. 100 years

13. Imagine all that Asaph witnessed!
Why is all of this significant?
Imagine all that Asaph witnessed!
Gives insight to understanding context of his Psalms

14. Importance of Historical Context
Real Events
Real People
Real Application
Written for our admonition (1 Cor. 10:11)

15. 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?

16. When did Asaph see this happen?
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?

17. Psalm 79 “They have laid Jerusalem in heaps
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?

18. Egypt King Shishak attacked Jerusalem 5th yr of Rehoboam 1200 chariots
(2 Chron. 12:1-8)
1200 chariots
60,000 horsemen
400,000 footmen
(Josephus)
“carried off the treasures of the temple of the LORD and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything”

19. Imagine what Asaph Witnessed
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

20. Importance of Worship Men who were Trained Men who invoked Praise
288 trained, skilled (1 Chr. 25:1-7)
Men who invoked Praise
Prophesy, Thanks, Praise,
Commemorate, celebrate (1Chr.16:4)
Psalms-inspired Songbook
Sing Psalms hymns spir.songs (Eph.5:19)

21. Importance of Worship I will learn to sing With purpose, intent
With joy and thanks
With praise

22. God is Faithful Even when: World is falling apart
Others are unfaithful
Suffer, lose loved ones
Don’t understand why things are happening

23. GOD IS FAITHFUL I will remember, go to sanctuary, sing, praise, trust,
50:3 God shall come and not keep silent
73:17f Surely you set the wicked in slippery places
76:3 Break the arrows of the enemy
77:14 You are the God who does wonders
78:19 Can provide a table in the wilderness
I will remember, go to sanctuary, sing, praise, trust,