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Psalmister (Lat. Psalmista) or Psaltes (Singer)

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Psalmister (Lat. Psalmista) Or Psaltes (Singer)

one of the inferior orders in the early Church, mentioned first by the Council of Laodicea. The form used in their designation was, according to the fourth Council of Carthage, "See that thou believest in thine heart what thou singest with thy mouth, and approve in works what thou believest in thy heart." (See PRECENTOR). The psaltes went up into the ambo, or reading-desk, and sang out of a book. That such a mode of conducting public worship was only intended to be for a time is evident from the circumstance that several of the fathers of the Church mention this practice as existing in their time of the people singing all together. The order of psaltes, on their appointment to office, required no imposition of hands or solemn consecration, but simply received their office from a presbyter, who used the form of words as laid down by the Council of Carthage and given above.