Psalms

[sahmz]

noun

(used with a singular verb)

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

Psalms

/ sɑːmz /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Psalms¹

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”