the art or act of singing psalms. See PSALM.

Psalmody was always esteemed a considerable part of devotion, and usually performed in the standing posture; and as to the manner of pronunciation, the plain song was sometimes used, being a gentle inflection of the voice, not much different from reading, like the chant in cathedrals; at other times more artificial compositions were used, like our anthems.

As to the persons concerned in singing, sometimes a single person sung alone; sometimes the whole assembly joined together, which was the most ancient and general practice. At other times, the psalms were sung alternately, the congregation dividing themselves into two parts, and singing verse about, in their turns. There was also a fourth way of singing pretty common in the fourth century, which was, when a single person began the verse, and the people joined with him in the close; this was often used for variety, in the same service with alternate psalmody.

The use of musical instruments in the singing of psalms, seem to be as ancient as psalmody itself; the first psalm we read of being sung to the timbrel, viz. that of Moses and Miriam, after the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt; and afterwards, musical instruments were in constant use in the temple of Jerusalem. See ORGAN.