Asaph

Asaph (meaning convener or collector) was a Levite of the clan of Gershom appointed by David as one of the three chief directors of temple music (1 Chronicles 6:39; 15:17). He stood at David's right hand in the procession that brought the ark to Jerusalem, playing cymbals. He is also identified as a seer (2 Chronicles 29:30), and twelve of the Psalms (50 and 73–83) are attributed to him or his school—psalms characterized by prophetic reflection on Israel's covenant history and divine judgment.

The sons of Asaph—his descendants or guild—continued as temple musicians through the monarchy and into the restoration after the exile (Ezra 2:41; Nehemiah 7:44), making Asaph's influence on Israelite worship remarkably durable.