Psalms

American  

[sahmz] / sɑmz /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. a book of the Bible, composed of 150 songs, hymns, and prayers. Ps.

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Psalms British  

/ sɑːmz /

noun

1. Full title: The Book of Psalms.  (functioning as singular) the collection of 150 psalms in the Old Testament

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Etymology

Origin of Psalms

First recorded before 1000; Middle English psam, spalm, psalm, partly from Old English psealm, psalm, partly from Old French psaume, from Late Latin psalmus, from Greek psalmós “twitching of the fingers; sound of the harp or cithara,” from psállein “to twitch, pull, pluck,” translation of Hebrew mizmōr “song, psalm”

Example Sentences

“The Power of the Dog,” with headnotes from Psalms and John Milton, took its author to a new plateau of artistic achievement.

From The Wall Street Journal

The set opened with a full run of “Seven Psalms,” a short yet profound song cycle in which a dense, ornamental acoustic guitar figure recurs over several songs in an intimate valediction.

From Los Angeles Times

Simon was diagnosed with hearing loss in his left ear when he was working on his 15th studio album "Seven Psalms" which was released last year.

From Salon

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

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

From Salon