What is a psalm?

Answer

A psalm is a song or poem used in worship. The term “psalm” originates from the Greek word “psallein,” which means “to pluck.” This term led to “psalmos,” which signifies “a song sung to harp music.” (Harp strings are plucked, at least some of the time.) Ultimately, the English word “psalm” denotes “song,” typically referring to a sacred song irrespective of the instrument on which it is played.

David is credited as the author of numerous biblical psalms. He is also recognized for playing the harp, although the “harp” he played differed from a modern orchestral harp; instead, it was a small, handheld stringed instrument known today as a “lyre.” “Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take up his lyre and play” «And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.», (1 Samuel 16:23). Most contemporary translations use “lyre” instead of “harp.” Therefore, David composed lyrics and played the lyre, or we could say he would “psallein” his instrument and write psalms. Today, “hymns” might be the term that conveys a concept similar to psalms.

Presently, biblical psalms are typically read, often in private, rather than sung. While many individual psalms originated from deeply personal and challenging circumstances, they were eventually compiled into a collection intended for public worship.

The book of Psalms is a collection of songs sometimes referred to as “Israel’s National Hymnbook.” In Hebrew, the title of the book is Tehillim, meaning “Praises.” It is a compilation of praises, although some psalms are born out of profound despair and questioning. It is a prayer book containing the writers’ most intimate inquiries and uncertainties, as well as their praises.

Es and Thanksgiving.

Some of the biblical Psalms tell us the names of the tunes that should accompany them, but unfortunately, those tunes are lost to us. For example, the heading of Psalm 22 says, “To the tune of ‘The Doe of the Morning.’” Perhaps “The Doe of the Morning” was a popular song, and David wrote new lyrics with spiritual content for it. It is also possible that “The Doe of the Morning” was a melody composed specifically for this song/psalm, although there is nothing in the psalm that would suggest this title. It is not uncommon for contemporary songwriters to set the Psalms to music, and one organization has composed music for all 150 Psalms.

Ephesians 5:18–20: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with Psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Undoubtedly, Paul intends to include the Old Testament book of Psalms, but the directive can also encompass Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that Christians composed in his time and even in ours.

Here are some technical facts to consider when discussing Psalms:

• When referring to the biblical book, Psalms is written with a capital P.

• When referring to Psalms in a general sense (i.e., songs, hymns, Psalms, etc.), a lowercase p is used.

• The book is known as “Psalms” (plural), but individual Psalms are referred to in the singular, such as “Please open your Bibles to Psalm 145,” and “I am going to read a Psalm this morning.”

• The book of Psalms has the most verses of any book in the Bible but no chapters. The individual Psalms are songs, not chapters; therefore, it would be technically incorrect to say “Please open your Bibles to Psalms chapter 145.”

• Sometimes the book of Psalms is referred to as “The Psalter,” which simply means “a book of Psalms.”