n. 1 a (also Psalm) any of the sacred songs contained in the Book of Psalms, esp. when set for metrical chanting in a service. b (the Psalms or the Book of Psalms) the book of the Old Testament containing the Psalms. 2 a sacred song or hymn. psalm-book a book containing the Psalms, esp. with metrical settings for worship. psalmic adj.
[ OE (p)sealm f. LL psalmus f. Gk psalmos song sung to a harp f. psallo pluck ]