Hidden Heroes: Asaph, Gatherer of the People

by David Chadwick

Asaph is our next hidden hero. His name means “gatherer of the people.” Keep that in mind as I tell you his story.

We find a small reference to Asaph in 1 Chronicles 6:39. But many of you may wonder why that would give him heroic importance in my book.

Have any of you ever read this verse? “The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting” (Psalm 50:1).

Or this one? “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25-26).

Well, Asaph was the one who wrote them! He actually wrote all of Psalm 50, Psalms 73-83, and Psalm 105. He was a gifted musician who used his gifts to record spiritual insights that we now find in God’s Word. The man whose name means “gatherer of the people” wrote countless Psalms that have gathered people to the heart of God.

If it were not for Asaph, we would not have the perspectives that we find in Psalm 73. For example, the emotions he writes down regarding his discouragement toward evil people who seem to get by with injustice.

Have any of you ever felt that way? Asaph could relate to you! He worked through his deep emotions through worship. Amidst his despair, he made sure he went to God’s house and worshiped. He started singing praises and hearing God’s Word. Then, Asaph finally found his answers. He realized that eventually, in God’s eternity, no one gets away with anything. Justice will prevail. God is a God of justice, but his timing is not always our timing.

Asaph found revelation through worship. As should we. He is a wonderful example of someone who did not stay stuck in his discouragement, but rather continued to press into the Lord for answers.

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Asaph knew the heart of his Father and he practiced this principle before it was ever said by Jesus. God honored his heart to seek and revealed so much to him.

Seek, my friends. In worship. In God’s Word. Seek and you will find!