---
title: King David and the Psalms
author: Guercino
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6700/king-david-and-the-psalms/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2026-08-26
---

# King David and the Psalms

_Authored by Guercino_

## Image File

[![King David and the Psalms](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/6700.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/6700.jpg)

## Image Caption

[King David](https://www.worldhistory.org/King_David/) [writing](https://www.worldhistory.org/writing/) psalms, painting by Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri), [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/), 1651.

This painting depicts the biblical figure of King David admiring a tablet with an incription from the psalms: ‘*Glorious things of thee are spoken, O [City](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [God](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/)*’ (*GLORIOSA / DICTA SVNT / DE TE CIVITAS / DEI*).

The National Gallery, London

## Cite This Work

### APA
Guercino. (2026, August 26). King David and the Psalms. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6700/king-david-and-the-psalms/>
### Chicago
Guercino. "King David and the Psalms." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 26, 2026. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6700/king-david-and-the-psalms/>.
### MLA
Guercino. "King David and the Psalms." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Aug 2026, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6700/king-david-and-the-psalms/>.

## License & Copyright

[![copyright source](/images/partners/wikipedia-small.png)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%27King_David%27,_painting_by_Giovanni_Francesco_Barbieri_(il_Guercino)_c._1768.jpg)Based on [Wikipedia](http://www.wikipedia.org/ "Wikipedia") content that has been reviewed, edited, and republished. [Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%27King_David%27,_painting_by_Giovanni_Francesco_Barbieri_(il_Guercino)_c._1768.jpg) by [**Guercino**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%27King_David%27,_painting_by_Giovanni_Francesco_Barbieri_(il_Guercino)_c._1768.jpg). Submitted by [Franco R. Batista Garcia](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/francobatista022/ "User Page: Franco R. Batista Garcia"), published on 26 August 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.