psalm

noun

ˈsäm 

ˈsälm, 

ˈsȯm, 

ˈsȯlm 

variants often Psalm

: a sacred song or poem used in worship

especially : one of the biblical hymns collected in the Book of Psalms

Synonyms of psalm

• hymn
• anthem

Examples of psalm in a Sentence

after the sermon we sang a brief psalm

Recent Examples on the Web

This climax is steeped in ancient psalms and hymns but also the neat, museumlike minimalism of pop-culture descendants like Ye’s Sunday Service Choir operas. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025

Tutivillus, who totted up all the mistakes clergymen made when singing hymns or reciting psalms. —JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025

The basilica was temporarily shut down on Monday, Oct. 13, and prayers and psalms were said as holy water was showered on the altar, according to the outlet. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

Revered by all three Abrahamic religions, the psalms were often recited, read, and sung in routine worship. —Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

psalm

noun

ˈsäm  ˈsälm 

1

: a sacred song or poem

2

capitalized : one of the hymns that make up the Old Testament Book of Psalms

Etymology

Old English psealm "psalm," from Latin psalmus (same meaning), from Greek psalmos "psalm," literally, "twanging of a harp," from psallein "to pluck, play a stringed musical instrument"

Word Origin

The Greek word psallein originally meant "to pull" or "to pluck." It then came to be used with the meaning "to play a stringed musical instrument." From this verb came the noun psalmos, which literally meant "the twanging of a harp." Since harp music often accompanied singing, psalmos took on the meaning of "a song sung to harp music" and later simply "a song or poem." It was borrowed into Latin as psalmus and came into English as psalm.