noun
Uncommon
psalm
sahm
Psalm (noun) means a sacred song or poem used in worship, especially one of the songs collected in the Book of Psalms in the Bible. Example: “The choir sang a psalm during the morning service.”
noun
1
A sacred song or poem used in worship, especially one of the songs collected in the Book of Psalms in the Bible.
"The choir sang a psalm during the morning service."
How to use psalm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA religious song or hymn, especially from the Bible's Book of Psalms.
Common pairings
sing a psalm
recite a psalm
Book of Psalms
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Word forms
- Plural
- psalms
- Third person singular
- psalms
- Past tense
- psalmed
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The choir sang a _____ during the morning service.
Etymology
From Old English psealm, reinforced by Old French psalme, ultimately from Ancient Greek psalmos, "a song sung to harp music."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for psalm
See all rhymes for psalm →Frequently asked questions
What does “psalm” mean?
The word “psalm” means a sacred song or poem used in worship, especially one of the songs collected in the Book of Psalms in the Bible. In plain terms, a religious song or hymn, especially from the Bible's Book of Psalms.
How do you pronounce “psalm”?
“Psalm” is pronounced sahm (/sɑm/ in IPA).
How do you use “psalm” in a sentence?
Here is “psalm” used in a sentence: “The choir sang a psalm during the morning service.”
What part of speech is “psalm”?
“Psalm” is a noun.
Where does the word “psalm” come from?
The word “psalm” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old English psealm, reinforced by Old French psalme, ultimately from Ancient Greek psalmos, "a song sung to harp music.".
Is “psalm” a common word?
“Psalm” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a "psalm" and a "hymn"?
A "psalm" specifically refers to a sacred song or poem used in worship, especially one collected in the Book of Psalms in the Bible. A "hymn" is a broader term for any religious song of praise, which may or may not be drawn from the biblical Psalms.
What is the Book of Psalms, and why is it referenced when discussing the word "psalm"?
The Book of Psalms is a collection of sacred songs and poems in the Bible, and individual psalms within it are numbered, such as Psalm 23. Each psalm is an example of the broader category of sacred song or poem the word describes.
Is "psalm" used only in a religious context, or can it apply more broadly?
"Psalm" is almost always used in a religious or worship context, referring to sacred songs or poems, particularly those from the biblical collection. It is not typically used to describe secular songs or poetry.
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