Berean Strong's Lexicon psalló: To sing, to make melody, to play a stringed instrument. Original Word: ψάλλω Word Origin: From the root ψάω (psaō), meaning "to rub" or "to touch lightly." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H2167 זָמַר (zamar): To sing, to make music, often used in the context of worship and praise in the Psalms. Usage: In the New Testament, "psalló" primarily refers to singing praises or making music, often with the accompaniment of a stringed instrument. It conveys the idea of making melody in one's heart to the Lord, emphasizing both vocal and instrumental expressions of worship. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, "psalló" originally referred to the plucking of strings on a musical instrument, such as a harp or lyre. Over time, its meaning expanded to include singing with musical accompaniment. In the context of early Christian worship, "psalló" reflects the practice of singing hymns and spiritual songs as a form of praise and worship, a tradition rooted in Jewish synagogue practices and the Psalms of the Old Testament. HELPS Word-studies 5567 psállō – properly, pluck a musical instrument (like a harp); used of "singing along with instruments"; "to make music," or simply sing. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom psaó (to rub) Definition to pull, twitch, twang, play, sing NASB Translation making melody (1), sing (3), sing praises (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5567: ψάλλωψάλλω; future ψαλῶ; (from ψάω, to rub, wipe; to handle, touch (but cf. Curtius, p. 730)); a. to pluck off, pull out: ἐθειραν, the hair, Aeschylus Pers. 1062. b. to cause to vibrate by touching, to twang: τόξων νευράς χειρί, Euripides, Bacch. 784; specifically, χορδήν, to touch or strike the chord, to twang the strings of a musical instrument so that they gently vibrate (Aristotle, probl. 19, 23 (p. 919b, 2)); and absolutely, to play on a stringed instrument, to play the harp, etc.: Aristotle, Plutarch, Aratus (in Plato, Lysias, p. 209 b. with καί κρούειν τῷ πλήκτρω added (but not as explanatory of it; the Schol. at the passage says ψῆλαι, τό ἄνευ πληκτρου τῷ δακτύλῳ τάς χορδας ἐπάφασθαι); it is distinguished from κιθαρίζειν in Herodotus 1, 155); the Sept. for נִנֵן and much more often for זִמֵּר; to sing to the music of the harp; in the N. T. to sing a hymn, to celebrate the praises of God in song, James 5:13 (R. V. sing praise); τῷ κυρίῳ, τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ (often so in the Sept.), in honor of God, Ephesians 5:19 (here A. V. making melody); Romans 15:9; ψαλῶ τῷ πνεύματι, ψαλῶ δέ καί τῷ νοι<, 'I will sing God's praises indeed with my whole soul stirred and borne away by the Holy Spirit, but I will also follow reason as my guide, so that what I sing may be understood alike by myself and by the listeners', 1 Corinthians 14:15. Probably strengthened from psao (to rub or touch the surface; compare psocho); to twitch or twang, i.e. To play on a stringed instrument (celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes) -- make melody, sing (psalms). see GREEK psocho Englishman's Concordance Romans 15:9 V-FIA-1SGRK: ὀνόματί σου ψαλῶ NAS: THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME. KJV: the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. INT: name of you will I sing 1 Corinthians 14:15 V-FIA-1S 1 Corinthians 14:15 V-FIA-1S Ephesians 5:19 V-PPA-NMP James 5:13 V-PMA-3S Strong's Greek 5567 |