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Day 1

Psalm 73:1a "Truly God is good to Israel..."

Day 1 – Psalm 73

“Truly God is good to Israel…” Psalm 73:1a

BOOK THREE: Psalm 73-89

We commence our reading of the Third Book of Psalms. The arrangement of these Psalms is quite straightforward:-

1. Psalms of Asaph

Psalms 73-83

2. Psalms of Korah

Psalms 84-85

3. Psalm of David

Psalm 86

4. Psalm of Ethan the Ezrahite

Psalm 89

SUPERSCRIPTION: A Psalm of Asaph

The superscription offers very basic material to work with:-

1. Author: Asaph

2. Nature of the writing: A Psalm

INTERPRETIVE CHALLENGES

Who is Asaph? Let us look at some of the challenges:-

1. Is this a reference to the original Asaph?

He is introduced in 1 Chronicles 6. He was a Levitical priest.

“And his brother Asaph, who stood at his right hand,
was Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea.”
1 Chronicles 6:39

2. Is this a reference to the sons of Asaph?

The name “Asaph” lived on in the sons/descendants of Asaph. (Only a careful study of the actual Asaphite Psalms would reveal the identity of the author).

a) Pre-Exilic sons of Asaph (these served in the reign of King David; 1 Chronicles 25:1, 2).
b) Post-Exilic sons of Asaph (These were appointed singers in the restored temple; Nehemiah 7:44).