"to move by a touch, to twitch; to touch, strike the strings or chords of an instrument; absol. to play on a stringed instrument; to sing to music; in NT to sing praises, Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Jas. 5:13*"
Definition and meaning
to move by a touch, to twitch; to touch, strike the strings or chords of an instrument; absol. to play on a stringed instrument; to sing to music; in NT to sing praises, Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Jas. 5:13*
In the original Greek the word is written: ψάλλω
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of psallo (G5567) across the King James Bible.
And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
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Common questions
Strong's G5567 (psallo) is a Greek word that means: to move by a touch, to twitch; to touch, strike the strings or chords of an instrument; absol. to play on a stringed instrument; to sing to music; in NT to sing praises, Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. ... It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word psallo (G5567) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5567 is psallo, a Greek word defined as: to move by a touch, to twitch; to touch, strike the strings or chords of an instrument; absol. to play on a stringed instrument; to sing to music; in . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
psallo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.