The Biblical Words for “Psalm” (Hebrew & Greek)
The English word psalm is actually a translation of several ancient words that describe music, poetry, praise, and prayer.
Let’s start with the Hebrew.
HEBREW TERMS (Old Testament)
A. מִזְמוֹר — mizmor
Meaning: a song accompanied by instruments, especially stringed instruments.
This is the word behind the title “Psalms of David.”
Key ideas:
- musical
- poetic
- worshipful
- often connected to the Temple
This is the technical word for a psalm as a musical composition.
B. תְּהִלִּים — Tehillim
Meaning: praises.
This is the Hebrew title of the Book of Psalms.
Even though many psalms are laments, the entire collection is called Tehillim because the end goal of every psalm is praise.
C. שִׁיר — shir
Meaning: song.
Used for:
- victory songs
- worship songs
- poetic songs
- prophetic songs
A psalm is a type of shir, but not every shir is a psalm.
D. תְּפִלָּה — tefillah
Meaning: prayer.
Some psalms are labeled “A Prayer of David,” “A Prayer of Moses,” etc.
This shows that psalms are not just songs — they are prayers set to poetry.
E. מַשְׂכִּיל — maskil
Meaning: a contemplative or instructive poem.
Some psalms are labeled “maskil,” meaning they are meant to teach, instruct, or give insight.
F. שִׁגָּיוֹן — shiggayon
Meaning: a passionate, wandering, emotional song.
Rare word — appears in Psalm 7.
This is a psalm that pours out raw emotion.
GREEK TERMS (New Testament & Septuagint)
A. ψαλμός — psalmos
Meaning: a song sung to a stringed instrument.
This is where we get the English word psalm.
Key ideas:
- plucking strings
- musical worship
- poetic praise
The Greek Septuagint uses psalmos to translate mizmor.
B. ψάλλω — psallō
Meaning: to sing, to make melody, to pluck strings.
Used in:
- Ephesians 5:19 — “singing and making melody (psallō) in your heart”
- James 5:13 — “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”
This is the verb form of psalm.
C. ὕμνος — hymnos
Meaning: a hymn, a song of praise.
Used in:
- Acts 16:25 — Paul and Silas singing hymns
- Ephesians 5:19 — “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”
A psalm is a type of hymn, but hymns can be broader.
Timeline of Psalms from Genesis to Revelation
Stage 1: Early Songs (Genesis–Exodus)
Before the Book of Psalms existed, God’s people sang:
- Moses’ song after the Red Sea
- Miriam’s song
- Deborah’s song
- Hannah’s prayer-song
These are the roots of biblical psalmody.
Stage 2: Davidic Psalms (1 Samuel–1 Chronicles)
David becomes:
- poet
- musician
- warrior
- king
He composes psalms:
- in caves
- on battlefields
- in worship
- in repentance
David is the father of biblical psalm-writing.
Stage 3: Temple Psalms (Psalms, Chronicles)
The Book of Psalms grows:
- David writes many
- Asaph writes
- Sons of Korah write
- Moses writes one
- Solomon writes some
The Psalms become the hymnal of Israel.
Stage 4: Exile and Return (Ezra–Nehemiah)
Psalms of:
- lament
- longing
- hope
- restoration
The Psalms become the prayerbook of a suffering people.
Stage 5: Jesus and the Psalms (Gospels)
Jesus:
- quotes psalms constantly
- fulfills psalms
- prays psalms on the cross
- sings psalms with His disciples
The Psalms become the voice of the Messiah.
Stage 6: Psalms in the Early Church (Acts–Epistles)
The early church:
- sings psalms
- prays psalms
- uses psalms in worship
- sees Christ in the psalms
Psalms become the foundation of Christian worship.
Stage 7: Psalms in Heaven (Revelation)
Revelation is filled with:
- songs
- hymns
- praise
- psalm-like worship
The Psalms become the language of eternity.
Comparison of Psalms in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Judaism
The Psalms are:
- central to worship
- used in daily prayers
- sung on Sabbaths and festivals
- recited in times of distress
- considered divinely inspired poetry
Judaism sees the Psalms as the heart of prayer.
Christianity
The Psalms are:
- Christ-centered
- used in liturgy
- sung in hymns
- prayed in monasteries
- quoted in sermons
- foundational for worship
Christians see the Psalms as the prayerbook of Jesus.
Islam
Islam recognizes the Psalms (Zabur) as:
- a holy book given to David (Dawud)
- inspired scripture
- containing wisdom and praise
Though the Islamic Psalms are not identical to the biblical ones, Islam honors David as a prophet-poet.