Psalms
[ sahmz ]
/ sɑmz /
noun (used with a singular verb)
a book of the Bible, composed of 150 songs, hymns, and prayers. Abbreviation: Ps.
Definition for psalms (2 of 2)
psalm
[ sahm ]
/ sɑm /
noun
a sacred song or hymn.
(initial capital letter)
any of the songs, hymns, or prayers contained in the Book of Psalms.
a metric version or paraphrase of any of these.
a poem of a similar nature.
Origin of psalm
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, orig., a plucking, as of strings, akin to
psállein to pluck, pull, play (the harp)
OTHER WORDS FROM psalm
psalm·ic, adjectiveExample sentences from the Web for psalms
British Dictionary definitions for psalms (1 of 2)
Psalms
/ (sɑːmz) /
noun
(functioning as singular)
the collection of 150 psalms in the Old Testament
Full title: The Book of Psalms
British Dictionary definitions for psalms (2 of 2)
psalm
/ (sɑːm) /
noun
(often capital)
any of the 150 sacred songs, lyric poems, and prayers that together constitute a book (Psalms) of the Old Testament
a musical setting of one of these poems
any sacred song or hymn
Derived forms of psalm
psalmic, adjectiveWord Origin for psalm
Old English, from Late Latin
psalmus, from Greek
psalmos song accompanied on the harp, from
psallein to play (the harp)