metrical psalm

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metrical psalm. A psalm versified in a regular syllabic metre which thus can be sung to a hymn-tune. Brought to Britain by Calvinists fleeing to Eng. and Scotland from Geneva. Famous treasury of Eng. sacred tunes is Sternhold and Hopkins's metrical psalter (London 1562). It was followed by other such psalters (Este's 1592, Ravenscroft's 1621, Playford's 1677, Tate and Brady's 1696).