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

I take comfort by reading the Book of Job, by reading Psalms, by reading the Song of Songs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Shortly before his death, he resurrected the Dot Rotten name for a new single, Psalms For Praize, that spoke about his dedication to his career.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Some of the monsters Magnus depicted date back to the Old Testament, like the sea orm—then known as the leviathan, which shows up in Psalms, the Book of Job and the Book of Isiah.

From National Geographic • Dec. 28, 2023

For his final sermon, Copeland turned to the Book of Psalms and its many passages about life’s challenges and God’s protection.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2023

Psalms sung by the priests of King David, who united the kingdoms of Israel and Judaea in 1003 bc, are riven through with references to instruments and to singing.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall