Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PSALM, n., v. Also saum (Abd. 1851 W. Anderson Rhymes 171; Lnk. 1865 J. Hamilton Poems & Sk. 89), sawm (Slk. 1810 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck xv.). Sc.forms and usages:

I. n. As in Eng., but in Scot. referring esp. to the metrical version of the Psalms adopted from French Protestant usage in the 16th c. and now regularly employed in congregational praise in the Presbyterian Churches. Comb. Deeyell psalms, a jocular term for the sing-song wailing tone of voice sometimes affected by clergymen or other public speakers, local to the Hamilton area of Lnk., in which the village of Dalziel [dɪ′jɛl] is situated. Cf. Souch.Sc. 1709 W. Steuart Collections ii. i. § 26:
It was the ancient practice of the church, as it is yet of some reformed churches abroad, for the minister or precentor to read over as much of the Psalm in metre together, as was intended to be sung at once, and then the harmony and melody followed, without interruption.Sc. 1755 Session Papers, Hunter v. Aitken (24 Dec.) 23:
It is an ordinary Practice in the Kirk of Aberdour, for the Precentor to begin to sing the Psalms before the Minister come in.Sc. 1818 Scott Letters (Cent. Ed.) V. 165:
I am not sure whether the old-fashioned version of the psalms does not suit the purposes of public worship better than smoother versification and greater tenseness of expression.Sc. 1847 T. L. Hately National Psalmody xi.:
We see, with indignation, Psalm Tunes made out of popular ballads, and even out of airs taken from the gayest and most profane productions of the Opera Stage!Lnk. 1893 T. Stewart Among the Miners 230:
He [an M.P. delivering a lecture] spoke in a whineing strain, generally described as “Deeyell Psalms” in our district.Abd. 1900 C. Murray Hamewith (1909) 29:
He has a tune for ilka psalm Nae matter what the metre.Sc. 1949 M. Patrick Sc. Psalmody 228:
It will be long before anything can take the place of a metrical Psalm with the great mass of ordinary church people, as the most authentic voice of their own praise.

II. v., tr. To recount (a story or the like) at great length and in monotonous detail, to reel off endlessly in a monotonous whining voice (ne.Sc. 1966). Also with aff.Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 53:
[She] gid awa tull 'er bed ti lie an' psalm tull 'ersel a' 'er grief.Abd.¹ 1925:
He psalmt aff a lang story.