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Psalm 77 · a question people ask

The title names Jeduthun and Asaph (77:1). Who are they?

In the text

The title doesn't say. It reads, "For the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm by Asaph." (77:1). It is the only title in the Psalms with both names. Psalm 39's title names Jeduthun (Psalm 39:1), and Psalm 39's notes set out what 1 Chronicles says of a Jeduthun (1 Chronicles 16:41, 25:1). Psalm 50's title names Asaph (Psalm 50:1), and Psalm 50's notes set out what 1 Chronicles says of an Asaph (1 Chronicles 15:17, 16:5, 25:1). Both say the titles don't tell whether those are the men they name. These notes don't repeat them, and don't say it either.

The verses

“For the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm by Asaph. My cry goes to God! Indeed, I cry to God for help, and for him to listen to me.”
Psalm 77:1 · World English Bible
“For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.””
Psalm 39:1 · World English Bible
“A Psalm by Asaph. The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks, and calls the earth from sunrise to sunset.”
Psalm 50:1 · World English Bible
“So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;”
1 Chronicles 15:17 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 77

Psalm 77: Your way through the sea

Psalm 77's "I complain" (77:3) and "consider" (77:12) are one Hebrew word: the same word is his complaint and then his considering of God's doings. His questions (77:8-9) ask in the Hebrew words and roots of Exodus 34:6's "merciful and gracious God, slow to anger" (Exodus 34:6). And from 77:13 on, the psalm speaks in the Hebrew words of the song at the sea (Exodus 15).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions