For other uses of this term, see Psalter (musical instrument). The "Golden Psalter".
A psaltery (from the Greek, psalterion, string instrument in the form of a zither) in its meaning of a book of psalms, is a compendium or collection of psalms, sacred musical lyrics, which can refer to different collections of musical hymns of that genre.
In the ninth century it was the only liturgical book that could belong to a layman and was presented in illuminated manuscripts. This peculiarity extended until the 14th century with the appearance of the hour books.
Daily recitations of the psaltery were usually made apart from the mass. During the Middle Ages, monks and priests had to learn it by heart. In general they were associated with other religious elements such as a liturgical calendar or the litanies of the saints.
The two best known at present are:
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