Main Entry:

psalm

Pronunciation:

\ˈsäm, ˈsälm, ˈsȯm, ˈsȯlm\

Function:

noun

Usage:

often capitalized

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English psealm, from Late Latin psalmus, from Greek psalmos, literally, twanging of a harp, from psallein to pluck, play a stringed instrument

Date:

before 12th century

: a sacred song or poem used in worship ; especially : one of the biblical hymns collected in the Book of Psalms