The temple singers were Levites who specialized in providing music for religious services (see the comments on 1 Esd 1.15-16). Since they played instruments as well as sang, Good News Bible calls them “Temple musicians.” Asaph was one of the most famous Temple musicians, from the time of King David (see 1 Chr 6.31-47).

Compare the parallel passages of Ezra 2.41 and Neh 7.44.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• Some Temple musicians also returned, 128 of them. They were descendants of Asaph.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.