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

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

“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 • Feb. 6, 2026

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 • Nov. 22, 2024

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

It was a copy of the Psalms, the pages worn thin and dirty from frequent use.

From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson