penitential Psalm

noun

any of the Psalms (the 6th, 32nd, 38th, 51st, 102nd, 130th, and 143rd) that give expression to feelings of penitence and that are used in various Christian liturgical services.

The imagination of the audience is worked upon, and all are hushed with breathless curiosity while the penitential psalm is sung.

They look around them when the penitential psalm is being sung, and they smile bitterly to themselves.

The dishes contain scorpions and snakes, the wine is gall and verjuice, and the table music is a penitential psalm.

A penitential psalm declares that what is pleasing to oneself may be sinful in the eyes of a god.

A prayer for one in affliction: the fifth penitential psalm.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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