Psalms (5568) (psalmos from psállo = to sing, chant - see TDNT note below) refers to a set piece of music, sacred ode (accompanied with voice, harp or other instrument; a "psalm"). Psalmos originally meant a touching, and then a touching of the harp or other stringed instruments with the finger or with the plectrum. Later it referred to the instrument itself, and finally psalmos became known as the song sung with musical accompaniment. Eadie says that psalmos is from This term, from psallein—to strike the lyre, is, according to its derivation, a sacred song chanted to the accompaniment of instrumental music... This specific idea was lost in course of time, and the word retained only the general sense of a sacred poetical composition (Ephesians 5 Commentary - in depth - goto page 398 - somewhat technical but with excellent insights) TDNT writes that... Psállo first seems to mean “to touch,” then it takes on the sense “to pluck” (a string), and finally it means “to play” (an instrument). Psállo occurs some 50 times for “to play a stringed instrument” (mostly in Psalms, 1 Samuel, and 2 Kings). The idea of a song of praise is often suggested. Psalmos means “plucking,” then “playing” (a stringed instrument). (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) NIDNTT notes that... In secular Greek psallo is used from Homer onwards, originally meaning to pluck (hair), to twang a bow-string, and then pluck a harp, or any other stringed instrument. The noun psalmos refers in general to the sound of the instrument, or the actual production of the sound. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan or Computer version) Vine writes that psalmos... primarily denoted “a striking or twitching with the fingers (on musical strings)”; then, “a sacred song, sung to musical accompaniment, a psalm.” It is used (a) of the OT book of “Psalms,” Luke 20:42; 24:44; Acts 1:20; (b) of a particular “psalm,” Acts 13:33 (cf. v. Acts 13:35); (c) of “psalms” in general, 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16. (Vine, W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1996. Nelson) There are 7 uses of psalmos in the NT - Luke 20:42 "For David himself says in the book of Psalms, 'The Lord said to my LORD, "Sit at My right hand, Jesus quoting from Ps 110:1 Luke 24:44 Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Jesus explaining that the Psalms prophesied about Him and "must be fulfilled" Acts 1:20 "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his homestead be made desolate, And let no man dwell in it'; and, 'His office let another man take.' Peter explained by quoting Ps 69:25, 109:8 that Judas' defection and the choice of a replacement were in God's purpose Acts 13:33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, 'Thou art My Son; today I have begotten Thee.' (Paul quoting Psalm 2:7) 1 Corinthians 14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. ESV translates psalmos as "hymn" for reasons I cannot discern. Eadie writes that psalmos in this verse " signifies the improvised effusion of one who possessed some of the charismata, or gifts of the early church." (Ephesians 5 Commentary - in depth - goto page 398 - somewhat technical but with excellent insights) Ephesians 5:19 (Context = Eph 5:18) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; (speaking to one another in psalms was one sign a person was filled with the Spirit) Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell (present imperative - not a suggestion, but a command to make dwelling/living in His Book our lifestyle...His daily bread is to be our daily practice!) within you, with all wisdom (From where? God's Word taught by God's Spirit!) teaching and admonishing one another (Speaking Scripture to each other! Want to know if you are filled with His Word and His Spirit? Check the words with which you interact with others -- your mate, your children, fellow believers, etc) with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (as noted elsewhere this sign [speaking, thankful spirit] of being filled with the Spirit is also a sign of being filled with the Word of Christ - see Eph 5:19 above) Psalmos - 80x in the Septuagint (LXX)- 1Sa 16:18; 2Sa 23:1; Job 21:12; 30:31; Ps 3:1; 4:1; 5:1; 6:1; 7:1; 8:1; 9:1; 11:1; 12:1; 13:1; 14:1; 15:1; 19:1; 20:1; 21:1; 22:1; 23:1; 24:1; 25:1; 29:1; 30:1; 31:1; 38:1; 40:1; 41:1; 43:1; 44:1; 46:1; 47:1; 48:1; 49:1; 50:1; 51:1; 62:1; 63:1; 64:1; 65:1; 66:1; 67:1; 68:1; 71:22; 73:1; 75:1; 76:1; 77:1; 79:1; 80:1; 81:1f; 82:1; 83:1; 84:1; 85:1; 87:1; 88:1; 92:1; 94:1; 95:2; 98:1, 5; 99:1; 100:1; 101:1; 108:1; 109:1; 110:1; 139:1; 140:1; 141:1; 143:1; 147:1; Is 66:20; La 3:14; 5:14; Amos 5:23; Zec 6:14 Vincent adds that psalmos which is... noun psalm (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1Cor. 14:26), which is etymologically akin to this verb, is used in the New Testament of a religious song in general, having the character of an Old-Testament psalm. A psalm was originally a song accompanied by a stringed instrument. The idea of accompaniment passed away in usage, and the psalm, in New-Testament phraseology, is an Old-Testament psalm, or a composition having that character. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/ephesians_519-20.htm#p