Psălm, n.
(săm), n. [Lat. psalmus, psalma, Gr. ψαλμός, ψάλμα, from ψάλλειν, to play upon a stringed instrument, especially upon the cithara, to sing to the cithara, Lat. psallere; O. Fr. psalme, salme, N. Fr. psaume, Pr. psalme, psalm, salme, Pg. psalmo, salmo, Sp. & It. salmo.]
Sense 1. A sacred song; a poetical composition for praise or worship to God.
Hymns devout and holy psalms Singing everlastingly. Milton.
Sense 2. Especially, one of the hymns by David and others, collected into one book as a part of the Hebrew Scriptures; or a versification of such a hymn composed by a modern writer, usually for public worship.