"impulse, touch of the chords of a stringed instrument; in NT a sacred song, psalm, Lk. 20:42; 24:44; Acts 1:20; 13:33; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16*"
Definition and meaning
impulse, touch of the chords of a stringed instrument; in NT a sacred song, psalm, Lk. 20:42; 24:44; Acts 1:20; 13:33; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16*
In the original Greek the word is written: ψαλμός
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 psalmos (G5568) across the King James Bible.
And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
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Common questions
Strong's G5568 (psalmos) is a Greek word that means: impulse, touch of the chords of a stringed instrument; in NT a sacred song, psalm, Lk. 20:42; 24:44; Acts 1:20; 13:33; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16* It appears 7 times in the King James Bible.
The word psalmos (G5568) appears 7 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5568 is psalmos, a Greek word defined as: impulse, touch of the chords of a stringed instrument; in NT a sacred song, psalm, Lk. 20:42; 24:44; Acts 1:20; 13:33; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
psalmos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.