Book of Psalms

Psalms, Book of, collection of 150 songs in the Old Testament, used as the hymn book of Judaism since the return from exile and prominent in Christian liturgy. Metrical psalms are sung in the Reformed churches. Many psalms are traditionally ascribed to David; modern scholars date them between the 10th and 2nd centuries B.C. Their fine poetry embodies a rich variety of religious experience, both national and individual.

See also: Old Testament.