The psaltery is a stringed musical instrument that has been played since ancient times and has a rich history across many cultures.

The psaltery dates back to antiquity, with roots in the Middle East. Its name derives from the Greek word psaltērion, meaning "harp" or "stringed instrument," and it was used in various ancient cultures.
The earliest known forms of the psaltery were simple wooden boards or boxes with gut strings stretched across them. These were plucked with fingers or a plectrum.
Similar instruments are depicted in Assyrian, Egyptian, and other ancient art, indicating its widespread use.
The psaltery became prominent in medieval Europe around the 12th century, likely introduced through the influence of Islamic cultures, which had similar instruments like the qanun.
During the Middle Ages, the psaltery was a popular instrument in courts and among traveling musicians. Its simple design made it relatively easy to play and transport.
By the Renaissance, the instrument had evolved into a trapezoidal or triangular shape, often with more strings and a richer tone.
Medieval and Renaissance psalteries typically featured a wooden soundboard, with metal or gut strings stretched across it.
The strings were often tuned diatonically, meaning they produced notes in a specific key.
Variants of the psaltery included the addition of sympathetic strings or changes in tuning systems to accommodate different musical styles.
By the 16th and 17th centuries, the psaltery began to decline in popularity, supplanted by more versatile keyboard instruments like the harpsichord and clavichord.
However, the instrument's legacy lived on in related instruments, such as the hammered dulcimer and the zither, which share similar designs and playing techniques.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, the psaltery experienced a revival among early music enthusiasts and folk musicians.