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Psalm 81 · a question people ask

The title says "By Asaph" (81:1). Who is Asaph?

In the text

The title doesn't say. It reads, "For the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. By Asaph." (81:1). Psalm 50's title names Asaph too (Psalm 50:1), and Psalm 50's notes take up this question: they set out what 1 Chronicles says of an Asaph (1 Chronicles 15:17, 16:5, 25:1) and say that the title doesn't tell whether that is the Asaph it names. These notes don't repeat it. Psalm 81 is one of the psalms from 73 to 83 whose titles name Asaph (Psalm 73:1, 83:1).

The verses

“For the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. By Asaph. Sing aloud to God, our strength! Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob!”
Psalm 81:1 · 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
“Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;”
1 Chronicles 16:5 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 81

Psalm 81: Oh that my people would listen

Psalm 81 begins as a feast-day song and becomes the LORD speaking to his people. One Hebrew verb runs through it five times, hear and listen, and the God who says "I tested you at the waters of Meribah" (81:7) says "Oh that my people would listen to me" (81:13), and ends with "I will satisfy you with honey out of the rock" (81:16).

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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