Heman was a singer. When David arranged the worship of Israel, the Levites chose Heman, Asaph and Ethan to “sound with cymbals of brass.” Chronicles also gives his family line, traced back through Joel to Shemuel, and calls him “a singer.” Elsewhere, a man named Heman is listed with Ethan among the wise men whom Solomon surpassed, though the text does not say whether he is the same person. Start with 1 Chronicles 15 to see how music was woven into Israel’s life.
4 verses
For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,
So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;
Matthew George Easton, 1897
Faithful. (1.) 1 Kings 4:31; 1 Chr. 2:6, a son of Zerah, noted for his wisdom. (2.) Grandson of Samuel (1 Chr. 6:33; 15:17), to whom the 88th Psalm probably was inscribed. He was one of the “seers” named in 2 Chr. 29:14, 30, and took a leading part in the administration of the sacred services.
William Smith, 1884
(faithful)
(1.) Son of Zerah. (1 Chronicles 2:6; 1 Kings 4:31)
(2.) Son of Joel and grandson of Samuel the prophet, a Kohathite. He is called "the singer," rather the musician, (1 Chronicles 6:33) and was the first of the three Levites to whom was committed the vocal and instrumental music of the temple service in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 15:16-22) The 88th Psalm is ascribed to him. (B.C. 1014.)