ψαλμός (G5568) — Greek Lexicon

ψαλμός

psalmós

G5568 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A song, hymn, or musical composition, especially one performed to musical accompaniment. In biblical contexts, refers particularly to a composition of praise, petition, or thanksgiving directed towards God, typically associated with the Book of Psalms. In a broader context, may denote any sacred song performed with stringed instruments.

Semantic Range

song performed to string accompaniment, hymn of praise, sacred song, individual composition within the Psalter, musical poem intended for worship

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb ψάλλω ('to pluck, to play a stringed instrument, to sing with instrumental accompaniment'). The nominal suffix -μός forms an action noun, thus ψαλμός originally meant 'something plucked' (i.e., music produced on strings) and by extension 'a hymn or song of praise accompanied by stringed instruments'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ψαλμός denoted the act of playing a stringed instrument or the resulting tune. By the Hellenistic period, its meaning shifted to denote a song performed to string accompaniment, and especially in Jewish and early Christian contexts it became associated with the specific compositions in the Book of Psalms (the 'Psalter'). The Septuagint uses ψαλμός to translate the Hebrew מִזְמוֹר (mizmor), primarily in Psalm titles. In the New Testament (e.g., Luke 20:42; 1 Corinthians 14:26), it can refer both to individual psalms from the Book or to any sacred song within worship. English translations commonly render it as 'psalm,' a term which carries mainly religious connotations, but the Greek word in its original context could refer to any accompanied sacred song. Related terms include ᾠδή (ode, general song or hymn), which is less closely tied to instrumental accompaniment.

Translation Consistency

primary "psalm" 7 occurrences

“Psalm” is the standard, natural English noun for ψαλμός in biblical contexts. It precisely conveys the sacred song/hymn sense tied to the Psalter and matches the majority of existing renderings (psalm/psalms), so it ensures consistent, recognizable translation across all forms.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ψάλλω; a set piece of music, i.e. a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument; a "psalm"); collectively, the book of the Psalms:--psalm. Compare ᾠδή.

Root Family

ψαλμός (psalmos) — plucked music, string-accompanied song, sacred hymn

Root ψαλμ- to pluck, to play (stringed instrument), to sing with accompaniment

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5568-03`	Ψαλμῶν	psalmon	`N GEN M PL`	of Psalms	of string-accompanied hymns	of psalms	3
`G5568-02`	ψαλμοῖς	psalmois	`N DAT M PL`	psalms	to plucked hymns	to psalms	3
`G5568-01`	ψαλμῷ	psalmo	`N DAT M SG`	psalm	to a string-accompanied hymn	psalm	1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5568-03`	Luke 20:42	Ψαλμῶν	psalmon	`N GEN M PL`	of Psalms	of string-accompanied hymns	of psalms
`G5568-02`	Luke 24:44	ψαλμοῖς	psalmois	`N DAT M PL`	psalms	to plucked hymns	to psalms
`G5568-03`	Acts 1:20	Ψαλμῶν	psalmon	`N GEN M PL`	of Psalms	of string-accompanied hymns	of psalms
`G5568-01`	Acts 13:33	ψαλμῷ	psalmo	`N DAT M SG`	psalm	to a string-accompanied hymn	psalm
`G5568-03`	1 Corinthians 14:26	ψαλμὸν	psalmon	`N ACC M SG`	a psalm	of string-accompanied hymns	a psalm
`G5568-02`	Ephesians 5:19	ψαλμοῖς	psalmois	`N DAT M PL`	psalms	to plucked hymns	to psalms
`G5568-02`	Colossians 3:16	ψαλμοῖς	psalmois	`N DAT M PL`	psalms	to plucked hymns	with psalms

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