metrical psalm: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, literary, religious, historical
Quick answer
What does “metrical psalm” mean?
A psalm (a sacred song or poem from the Book of Psalms in the Bible) that has been rendered into a regular poetic metre, typically for the purpose of congregational singing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A psalm (a sacred song or poem from the Book of Psalms in the Bible) that has been rendered into a regular poetic metre, typically for the purpose of congregational singing.
A metrical text or musical setting of a biblical psalm, specifically one following a consistent rhythmic and stanzaic structure, characteristic of Protestant worship traditions, particularly from the Reformation era. It can also refer more broadly to any poetically structured version of a psalm, as opposed to a prose translation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term has greater historical and cultural currency in the UK, particularly Scotland and parts of England, due to the influential 'Scottish Psalter'. In the US, it is primarily used within historical or liturgical studies.
Connotations
In the UK, it often connotes the 16th-17th century Reformed tradition and its enduring legacy in Presbyterian worship. In the US, it may more narrowly connote a historical practice or an academic subject.
Frequency
More frequently encountered in UK religious and historical discourse; in the US, it is a low-frequency, specialist term.
Grammar
How to Use “metrical psalm” in a Sentence
The congregation sang [metrical psalm]The [metrical psalm] is set to [tune name][Composer] versified [a psalm] into [a metrical psalm]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metrical psalm” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The metrical-psalm tradition is strong here.
- They prefer a metrical-psalm approach.
American English
- The service featured a metrical-psalm setting.
- He studies metrical-psalm adaptations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Common in theology, musicology, church history, and literary studies, e.g., 'The dissertation examines the influence of the Sternhold and Hopkins metrical psalms on English poetry.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used precisely in hymnology and liturgy to denote a specific category of sacred music/text.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metrical psalm”
- Incorrect plural: 'metrical psalms' (correct), not 'metrical psalm'.
- Confusing it with a 'hymn' – all metrical psalms are a type of hymn, but not all hymns are metrical psalms.
- Pronouncing 'psalm' with a sounded 'p' (/pɪsɑːm/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A metrical psalm is a specific type of hymn that is a direct, though poetically adapted, rendering of a biblical psalm. A hymn can be an entirely original composition of praise.
Primarily in traditional Presbyterian, Reformed, or some Anglican church services, particularly in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Canada, and parts of the United States. They are also studied in university courses on religious history or music.
Key figures include Thomas Sternhold and John Hopkins (whose 'Old Version' was used in England), and the compilers of the 'Scottish Psalter'. The 'Genevan Psalter' from the 16th century is also a hugely influential continental European collection.
They are typically sung to traditional, often very old, hymn tunes (like 'Old Hundredth' for Psalm 100). However, modern composers do sometimes write new musical settings for metrical psalm texts.
A psalm (a sacred song or poem from the Book of Psalms in the Bible) that has been rendered into a regular poetic metre, typically for the purpose of congregational singing.
Metrical psalm is usually formal, literary, religious, historical in register.
Metrical psalm: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛtrɪkəl ˈsɑːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛtrɪkəl ˈsɑː(l)m/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: METRical = measured rhythm, like poetry. PSALM = sacred song. A metrical psalm is a sacred song with a regular, singable rhythm.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRUCTURE IS ORDER: The imposition of a regular 'metre' onto the biblical text metaphorically represents order, discipline, and communal uniformity in worship.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'metrical psalm' primarily designed for?