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psalms: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low-medium
UK/sɑːmz/US/sɑːmz/ (also /sɑlmz/ in some older or hypercorrect pronunciations)

Formal, religious, literary

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Quick answer

What does “psalms” mean?

Sacred songs or hymns, especially those from the Book of Psalms in the Bible.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Sacred songs or hymns, especially those from the Book of Psalms in the Bible.

Any sacred song or hymn of praise; more broadly, any piece of music or poetry expressing devotion, lament, or spiritual reflection.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage is identical in meaning and context. Minor differences may occur in associated liturgical terminology.

Connotations

Evokes tradition, worship, and Judeo-Christian heritage equally in both varieties.

Frequency

Slightly higher frequency in communities with strong liturgical traditions. No significant regional variation.

Grammar

How to Use “psalms” in a Sentence

[congregation/choir] + sing/chant + psalms[worshipper/reader] + read/recite + psalms from + [source]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
sing psalmschant psalmsread psalmsBook of PsalmsDavidic psalms
medium
psalms of lamentpsalms of praisepsalms set to musicrecite psalms
weak
ancient psalmsfavorite psalmspsalms for comfortmorning psalms

Examples

Examples of “psalms” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The choir will psalm the ancient melodies during the vigil.

American English

  • The cantor psalmed the text with a clear, resonant voice.

adverb

British English

  • The hymn was sung psalmically, with great reverence.

American English

  • They responded psalmically, echoing the cantor's line.

adjective

British English

  • The psalmic tradition of the church is very old.
  • He has a psalmodic style of singing.

American English

  • The service featured a psalmic refrain.
  • Her reading was almost psalmodic in its rhythm.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Used in theology, religious studies, musicology, and literature departments.

Everyday

Used primarily by religious individuals in contexts of worship or discussion of scripture.

Technical

Used in liturgical studies, biblical scholarship, and music history.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “psalms”

Strong

hymns of praisedevotional songs

Neutral

hymnscanticlessacred songs

Weak

spiritual songsreligious poems

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “psalms”

secular songsprofanities

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “psalms”

  • Pronouncing the 'p' (incorrect: /pɪsɑːmz/).
  • Using 'psalm' as a common noun for any song (e.g., 'a popular psalm').
  • Misspelling as 'psalms' or 'psalmes'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the 'p' is silent. It is pronounced /sɑːmz/.

Very rarely. Its core meaning is religious. Using it for a secular song is poetic or archaic.

A psalm is specifically a biblical song from the Book of Psalms. A hymn is a religious song of praise, which may be based on a psalm but is often of later composition.

Because they are often referred to as a collection (the Book of Psalms) or as a set used in a service (singing several psalms).

Sacred songs or hymns, especially those from the Book of Psalms in the Bible.

Psalms is usually formal, religious, literary in register.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “To know something like the Psalms (archaic: to know very well)”
  • “A voice like a psalm (poetic: a solemn or beautiful voice)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'PSALMS = Sacred Songs And Lyrical Music for Spirit.'

Conceptual Metaphor

PSALMS ARE A CONVERSATION WITH THE DIVINE (e.g., 'psalms of lament,' 'psalms of thanksgiving').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The monastic community gathers seven times a day to chant the sacred __.The monastic community gathers seven times a day to chant the sacred __.
Multiple Choice

What is the most accurate description of 'psalms'?

psalms: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore