Sad state of the Church – Asaph

Asaph was one of the three Worship Leaders in David’s time. He was a teenager/in 20’s when he started playing music in Church and then continued into his 90’s. He played and lived under David, Solomon, and possibly Rehoboam. He saw the Church in its prime under David, then saw the decline under Solomon because of pagan wives and the harem. Then came Rehoboam with his recklessness and youthful bravado which resulted in the split in the Kingdom, Northern part (10 tribes of Israel) going to Jeroboam, and Judah (2 tribes) remaining with David’s sons.

As a young man, he saw God’s Presence and Glory in David’s time. And when the Temple was dedicated under Solomon, it was Asaph who led Worship and saw God’s Glory. From then on it was a continual decline, thanks to a womanizing Solomon, and further apostasy under Rehoboam. So, God gives Israel over to their enemies, then Shishak King of Egypt, invades Jerusalem and plunders the treasures in the Temple. It broke Asaph’s heart to see such a fall, yet Asaph strengthens himself in Christ. (Psalm 77:10-14), expecting God to turn things around.

Asaph wrote 12 Psalms, (Ps 50, Ps 73-83), he also obviously composed music for dozens of David’s Psalms as a Chief Musician. He wrote more scripture than Peter, Jude, James, Joel, Amos, Habakkuk etc. Alas, how little we know of him! Gospel writer Mathew writing for us the various Parables of Jesus, says in conclusion that this was a fulfilment of what Asaph spoke about the Messiah. Have you ever wondered who this man was, his background, his lineage of musicians across the years and his contribution to the Church and the Kingdom?