Penitential Psalms
Preserved but no longer current.
The seven psalms expressive of contrition — viz. the vi, xxxii, xxxviii, li, cii, cxxx, cxlni. From time immemorial they have all been used at the Ash Wednesday services; the first three at Matins, the 51st at the Com- mination, and the last three at Evensong.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Penitential Psalms” mean?
The seven psalms expressive of contrition — viz. the vi, xxxii, xxxviii, li, cii, cxxx, cxlni. From time immemorial they have all been used at the Ash Wednesday services; the first three at Matins, the 51st at the Com- mination, and the last three at Evensong.
Is “Penitential Psalms” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.