The Hebrew name given to hymns or songs of praise. Although there are many other psalms in Hebrew literature, for ancient Israel the collection of 150 became their hymnal. For Christians the term psalm refers only to the 150 psalms composing the book of Psalms of the Old Testament. Christians have used the psalms through the centuries as a way to express their faith and as a resource for personal prayer and devotional life.
Source: A Dictionary for United Methodists, Alan K. Waltz, Copyright 1991, Abingdon Press. Used by Permission.
