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''See also:'' [[Singing]]

''See also:'' [[Singing]]

The [[Hebrew]] “''Book of Praises''” is the oldest song-book still in use. The term, “psalm” is from the [[Greek]] for striking or plucking and came to mean a song accompanied by a stringed instrument. It was translated as such in the 3rd century [[Septuagint]]. Psalms have been an important part of Jewish liturgy throughout the world  (they crossed the Atlantic to America in colonial times). The destruction of the temple at [[Jerusalem]] in AD 70 and the subsequent ban on Jewish instrumental music gave impetus to a tradition of unaccompanied vocal and choral [[singing]] in synagogues, especially of psalms, that has lasted with little change to this day.  

The [[Hebrew]] “''Book of Praises''” is the oldest song-book still in use. The term, “psalm” is from the [[Greek]] for striking or plucking and came to mean a song accompanied by a stringed instrument. It was translated as such in the 3rd century [[Septuagint]]. Psalms have been an important part of Jewish [[liturgy]] throughout the world  (they crossed the Atlantic to America in colonial times). The destruction of the temple at [[Jerusalem]] in AD 70 and the subsequent ban on Jewish instrumental music gave impetus to a tradition of unaccompanied vocal and choral [[singing]] in synagogues, especially of psalms, that has lasted with little change to this day.  

The psalms have been at the musical center of [[Christian]] [[liturgy]] since the Church was created, in all the various orthodox rites, and into certain Protestant services. Their course has followed the traditions of western church music (see [[plainchant]], [[antiphon]], [[polyphony]] and the like.) Nearly every noted composer up to the 19th century, and many since, have set psalms to music representative of their times, either as “serious” music or popular congregational hymns.  

The psalms have been at the musical center of [[Christian]] liturgy since the Church was created, in all the various orthodox rites, and into certain Protestant services. Their course has followed the traditions of western church music (see [[plainchant]], [[antiphon]], [[polyphony]] and the like.) Nearly every noted composer up to the 19th century, and many since, have set psalms to music representative of their times, either as “serious” music or popular congregational hymns.  

Psalm 23 is well known across religious lines and is often read at funerals.  It begins "''The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...''" Two notable 20th century examples of psalm settings that are familiar in the concert hall are the “''Symphony of Psalms'' of [[Igor Stravinsky]] and [[Leonard Bernstein]]’s “''Chichester Psalms''”; the latter commissioned for use in a Christian [[cathedral]] from a [[Jewish]] composer.

Psalm 23 is well known across religious lines and is often read at funerals.  It begins "''The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...''" Two notable 20th century examples of psalm settings that are familiar in the concert hall are the “''Symphony of Psalms'' of [[Igor Stravinsky]] and [[Leonard Bernstein]]’s “''Chichester Psalms''”; the latter commissioned for use in a Christian [[cathedral]] from a [[Jewish]] composer.