(initial capital letter) any of the songs, hymns, or prayers contained in the Book of Psalms.
3.
a metric version or paraphrase of any of these.
4.
a poem of a similar nature.
Origin: bef. 900; ME psalm(e), s(e)alm(e), psame, OE ps(e)alm, sealm < LL psalmus < Gk psalmós song sung to the harp, orig., a plucking, as of strings, akin to psállein to pluck, pull, play (the harp)
[sahm] 
) any of the songs, hymns, or prayers contained in the Book of Psalms.