What does psalmodical mean?
Psalmodical is an adjective meaning connected with psalms or the musical performance of psalms. Its clearest use describes singing in which the words of a psalm are treated as music, whether through metrical hymnody, chant, or another worship tradition. The word is especially associated with church and religious music, although scholars may use it more broadly when discussing the history and performance of psalm texts. In ordinary speech, “psalm singing” or “hymn singing” will usually sound more natural. Psalmodical nevertheless remains a useful and evocative term because it distinguishes the sung performance of sacred verse from the private or silent reading of a psalm. Its association with old forms of worship also gives it a formal, traditional, and sometimes archaic tone in modern English.
adjectiveRelating to the singing or musical performance of psalms. It may also refer more broadly to psalmody or the tradition of metrical hymn singing.
- Relating to psalms, especially their musical presentation in a worship service.
- Relating to psalmody, including traditional metrical or chant-like ways of singing psalms.
"The congregation joined the minister in a psalmodical rendering of the ancient hymn."
"The evening service centered on psalmodical singing from the Psalter."
"Musicologists studied the psalmodical style used in the medieval abbey."
Psalmodical belongs to the musical world: it describes verses designed not merely to be read, but sung.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does psalmodical come from?
The word is derived from Latin psalmus, a loan from Greek psalmos, meaning “a song” or “a hymn sung with a stringed instrument.” It was combined with a form of Greek odē, “song,” to produce Latin psalmōdia, the ancestor of English psalmody. The English adjective developed from this religious and musical vocabulary and has continued to denote the musical performance of psalm texts.
Related word forms
How psalmodical is actually used
This is a specialized and literary word, most often encountered in discussions of church music, hymnody, or the history of psalm singing. It is more usual in formal writing than in everyday conversation.
Easily confused with psalmodical
Psalmodic is the more concise adjective directly meaning “relating to psalms or psalm singing,” while psalmodical can also evoke the broader musical or metrical tradition of psalmody.
Psalmody is a noun referring to the singing of psalms or a collection of psalms, whereas psalmodical is an adjective describing something connected with that practice.