Psalm

[portokalos]

Can you give me the origin of the word Psalm?
Thank you.

[Perry]

psalm
O.E. salm, from L. psalmus, from Gk. psalmos "song sung to a harp," originally "performance on stringed instrument," from psallein "play on a stringed instrument, pull, twitch." Used in Septuagint for Heb. mizmor "song," especially the sort sung by David to the harp.

Actually, in Hebrew the book of Psalms is called tehilim (תהילים). This comes from tehila (תהילה ), which today means fame, but I would guess that back in David's day this meant something halfway between acclaim and praise.

There is your explanation. Let's not harp on it.

[portokalos]

I would like to chek if this word is related with thw word pselos( ψελλός= τραυλός ).

[Perry]

That would be way out of my league.