Heman the Ezrahite is a figure mentioned in the book of Psalms who is credited with writing Psalm 88. He is called “the Ezrahite” to distinguish him from several other Bible characters named Heman.
The details we have on Heman come primarily from 1 Chronicles 6 and the superscriptions (introductory notes) of some Psalms. From 1 Chronicles, we learn the following about Heman:
- He was from the tribe of Levi and a descendant of Kohath (1 Chronicles 6:33). This made him a Levite.
- He was one of the “sons” of Samuel (1 Chron. 6:33), which may indicate he was a disciple or student of the prophet Samuel.
- He was a musician appointed by David to be one of the leaders of temple worship (1 Chron. 6:31-33).
In 1 Chronicles 15:16-19, we see Heman selected by King David to be one of the musicians when the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem. His role was to play cymbals made of bronze in the music ensemble.
The superscriptions of Psalms give us some more information about Heman’s musical service:
- He was called “the king’s seer” (ESV) or “the seer” (NIV) in the title of Psalm 88, which may indicate he had a prophetic role.
- Along with Asaph and Ethan/Jeduthun, Heman is called one of the “sons of Korah” in the superscriptions of Psalms 42-49 and 84-85. This likely designated them as Levitical musicians descended from the ancestor Korah.
- The titles of Psalms 88 and 89 connect Heman with a musical style called “Mahalath.” The meaning of this term is uncertain.
From the content of Psalm 88, we can surmise that Heman faced significant affliction in his life. The psalm is the darkest of all the psalms, passionately lamenting suffering and asking why God seems absent in it. Since Heman is credited as the author, it’s likely this psalm authentically captures his experiences of deep pain.
A few key lessons we can take away about Heman:
- He was an important Temple musician who helped establish Israel’s early musical worship traditions.
- He may have had a prophetic gifting in addition to musical talent.
- He wrote from a place of real affliction and crying out to God in the midst of suffering.
- His life shows that faithfully serving God does not exempt us from experiencing pain and hardship.
- Through Psalm 88, Heman gives voice to the agonizing side of human experience in a way that resonates with those experiencing “dark nights of the soul.”
In summary, Heman the Ezrahite was a Levitical musician and likely prophet who contributed to the Psalms during David’s reign. His preserved works teach us that honest cries of pain have a place in worship and that God does not always intervene to lift us out of seasons of darkness. Heman represents the agonizing side of faith, demonstrating that stalwart believers can still experience times of profound despair and wondering where God is. His inclusion in Scripture reminds us that while praise is deeply important, laments giving voice to suffering are also sacred works.
The rest of this article will explore Heman’s life and Psalm 88 in more depth.
Heman’s Family Heritage
Several details indicate Heman came from a prestigious Levitical family in Israel. First Chronicles 6 traces his ancestry back several generations to Levi, showing he descended from Kohath, one of the three sons of Levi (1 Chron. 6:1). This firmly establishes Heman as a Levite, meaning he was part of the Israelite tribe given special responsibility for tending to the Tabernacle and then Temple worship.
Heman’s status as a Levite linked to the Kohathites meant he came from the segment of Levites who were directly responsible for guarding, transporting, and handling the most sacred furnishings of the Tabernacle like the Ark of the Covenant, lampstand, altars, etc. (Num. 3:27-4:20). So Heman had a significant spiritual heritage and his family was entrusted with special duties.
Heman is also said to be descended from “Samuel the father of Joel” (1 Chron. 6:28, 33). This indicates a direct connection to the famous prophet Samuel, either as a descendant or disciple. The Tribe of Levi had produced other major figures like Moses and Aaron, so Heman came from an impressive prophetic and priestly lineage.
Overall, Heman’s ancestry gave him substantial credence in his role as a Temple worship leader. He came from generations of sacred servants trusted with the most sensitive spiritual tasks like carrying the Ark of the Covenant. This lineage no doubt opened doors for him to attain an elite position of music ministry under Kings David and Solomon.
Heman’s Role as a Musician
We know from 1 Chronicles and the psalm titles that Heman functioned as an important Temple musician under David and Solomon. First Chronicles 15 describes him playing bronze cymbals when the ark was brought to Jerusalem during David’s reign (1 Chron. 15:16-19). The “sons of Heman” are also mentioned as musicians alongside Asaph and Jeduthun, showing his influence continued after him (2 Chron. 29:14).
The book of 1 Chronicles gives the most detail about Heman’s music ministry responsibilities:
These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. These are the men who served and their sons. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer the son of Joel, son of Samuel (1 Chronicles 6:31-33, ESV)
This passage shows David specially appointed Heman to oversee the music in the Tabernacle along with Asaph and Jeduthun. Heman and his band of musicians continued leading worship until the Temple was constructed under Solomon. The “order” and “their sons” mentioned indicate this was a well-organized, multi-generational ministry. Heman helped systematize Temple worship traditions that lasted for centuries.
The psalm titles connect Heman with a mysterious musical term “Mahalath.” This describes the tune used for the laments Psalms 88 and 89. Scholars are not certain of the meaning, but it may convey a certain style of mournful music or an instrument used to create a somber mood. Whatever its precise meaning, attributing these psalms to a “Mahalath of Heman” shows his connection to cultivating a variety of religious musical genres, not just upbeat praise.
Overall, Heman clearly played a foundational role in establishing the sacred music used in Tabernacle and Temple worship. His organizational leadership and artistic contributions helped set the tone for Israel’s liturgy for generations to come.
Heman as Prophet and Seer
In addition to being a musician, Heman may have also exercised prophetic gifts. The strongest clue to this is Psalm 88’s title calling Heman “the Ezrahite” and “the king’s seer.” The term “seer” often designated a prophet in the Old Testament (e.g. 1 Samuel 9:9, 2 Samuel 24:11). Some Bible versions translate it instead as “the king’s prophet.”
This prophetic role may help explain why David and Solomon entrusted Heman with such great responsibility for Israel’s worship. Along with musical skill, he likely had spiritual insights to guide the nation in honoring God. Some of Heman’s psalms may have originated from prophetic experiences where he received divine messages to deliver through song.
The content of Psalm 88 also has a prophetic flair. Its somber tone and lament over affliction mirror other prophets who endured suffering like Jeremiah. Much of biblical prophecy involves calling Israel back to faithfulness through warnings of judgment and calls to repentance. Heman’s mournful psalm filled with trouble and darkness has similarities to other prophetic messages intended to wake Israel up spiritually.
While we cannot say with certainty Heman had a prophetic office, the biblical clues suggest this gift may have complemented his musical talents. His role as a “seer” and the emotive power of Psalm 88 hint that he spoke with spiritual authority and not just artistic aptitude.
The Psalm of Heman
Psalm 88 stands out as the bleakest psalm in the entire Psalter. It is a raw lament crying out to God about affliction and despair. The superscription attributes it to “Heman the Ezrahite” as a “Mahalath Leannoth,” connecting it to funeral-like music. Unlike most psalms, there is no shift to hope or praise by the end – it is grief from start to finish. Reading Psalm 88 gives us unique insight into Heman’s suffering:
O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol…You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow (Psalm 88:1-3, 6-9a, ESV)
This sample demonstrates the raw despair being expressed. Heman feels afflicted, abandoned, and anguished. He cannot understand why God has allowed this pit of suffering. Other worshippers shun him in his misery. He is trapped in darkness with no relief or escape.
Psalm 88 gives us a profound gift by preserving these honest cries of deep agony. Throughout history, many believers have connected to this psalm when enduring their own “dark night of the soul.” It gives artistic expression to pain that is often inexpressible. The inclusion of such a grim lament among the Psalms reminds us that human suffering has a place within worship.
At the same time, Psalm 88 presents a paradox. Despite all the agony, it still addresses God directly. Heman does not curse God but rather cries out insisting God hear his prayer and understand his troubles. Even in profound darkness, a thin thread of faith persists reaching out for God’s presence. This models for us boldly taking our pain to God rather than hiding it or bottling it up. The tension between despair and faith makes Psalm 88 deeply meaningful for believers who go through suffering.
Psalm 88 reminds us that honoring God encompasses the entirety of human experience, not just our praise but also our pain. As one of Israel’s worship leaders, Heman captured the crucial lesson that grief and lamentation have a sacred place before God.
Lessons from Heman’s Life
Looking at the biblical account of Heman, several helpful applications emerge for Christians today:
- Godly character is more important than skill or achievement – Heman came from a great lineage and contributed immense talent, yet his most important legacy is the God-honoring perseverance Psalm 88 displayed in suffering.
- Serving God does not remove us from suffering – Despite his position, Heman experienced intense affliction. Closeness to God does not exempt anyone from trials.
- Laments have a home in worship – Heman shows that praising God need not be the only religious music – space must be made for cries of pain and doubt.
- The value of mentorship – Samuel likely invested in Heman early on, showing how spiritual mentoring raises up future generations.
- Persevering through darkness – Psalm 88 models bringing raw, unresolved pain to God. Heman clung to faith while engulfed in the fog of affliction.
In many ways Heman lived out the struggle of all earnest believers who love God yet contend with suffering. His messsage transcends the centuries, teaching us that even towering figures of faith can face seasons of deep darkness and despair. Heman’s willingness to work through his agony as a sacred offering remains a gift to the Church.
Heman and Other Biblical Figures
Looking at other biblical characters associated with Heman provides more fascinating connections:
Samuel
Heman is called one of Samuel’s “sons,” pointing to a close link between the two. As both prophet and priest, Samuel could have provided excellent mentorship for Heman’s prophetic and musical gifts to flourish in service at the Tabernacle. Heman may have been raised like Samuel to be set apart to the Lord from birth as a Levite. The emotional and spiritual depth of Psalm 88 suggests Heman internalized some of Samuel’s mentorship.
King David
David personally appointed Heman to be a leader of Temple worship, recognizing his skills. Heman’s sorrowful Psalm 88 interestingly comes between two psalms attributed to David – Psalm 87 (joyful) and 89 (lament). This may symbolize Heman’s role as David’s worship leader to express both kinds of spiritual experiences. Heman took David’s example of boldly and artfully pouring out his complaints to God.
King Solomon
Solomon continued relying on Heman’s musical leadership when he constructed the Jerusalem Temple. Heman helped establish continuity between the music begun under David’s leadership and what would bless the Temple for centuries to come under Solomon. Though Solomon ushered in a golden age for Israel, Heman’s Psalm 88 reminds that suffering remained.
Asaph and Jeduthun
These two other famous musicians worked alongside Heman under David and Solomon. Together they constitute three of the greatest worship leaders in Israel’s history. Though each contributed distinctive psalms and music, they shared a common mission to minister to the Lord and His people through Spirit-filled songs.
Conclusion
In closing, Heman the Ezrahite stands out as one of the most influential figures in establishing Israel’s tradition of sacred music. He came from an elite priestly heritage but endured profound personal afflictions that gave spiritual depth to his musical compositions. His lament Psalm 88 speaks poignantly to all believers who cry out to God from the depths of pain and despair. Though he achieved renown as a worship leader, Heman’s legacy remains defined by his perseverance in clinging to faith when enduring intense suffering. He reminds us that praising God encompasses the full spectrum of human experience – both the light and the darkness.