psalm

[ sahm ]

noun

1. a sacred song or hymn.
2. (initial capital letter) any of the songs, hymns, or prayers contained in the Book of Psalms.
3. a metric version or paraphrase of any of these.
4. a poem of a similar nature.

psalm

/ sɑːm /

noun

1. often capital any of the 150 sacred songs, lyric poems, and prayers that together constitute a book (Psalms) of the Old Testament
2. a musical setting of one of these poems
3. any sacred song or hymn

Derived Forms

• ˈpsalmic, adjective

Other Words From

• psalmic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of psalm¹

before 900; Middle English psalm ( e ), s ( e ) alm ( e ), psame, Old English ps ( e ) alm, sealm < Late Latin psalmus < Greek psalmós song sung to the harp, originally, a plucking, as of strings, akin to psállein to pluck, pull, play (the harp)

Word History and Origins

Origin of psalm¹

Old English, from Late Latin psalmus, from Greek psalmos song accompanied on the harp, from psallein to play (the harp)

Example Sentences

He will precede Beethoven’s Ninth with Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” at the Bowl on Tuesday, optimistic works with calls for brotherhood, community and nonaggression coincidentally coming directly after a presidential debate.

From Los Angeles Times

In a concurrence, addressing one of those grammatical points, Judge Ho cited Psalm 111:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

From Salon

Psalms of lament serve to highlight how righteous individuals fall prey to persecution, despite being good to others.

From Salon

An earlier post quoted a Psalm from the Bible: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”

From New York Times

Coltrane’s landmark suite “A Love Supreme” ends with “Psalm,” a slow, seeking devotional, its melody set to a poem giving thanks to God.

From New York Times

Related Words

• hymn
• verse