Claude Goudimel (c. 1514–1572) was a French composer and music theorist, primarily known for his contributions to the genre of Renaissance choral music. He is best recognized for his arrangements of the Psalms, particularly his harmonizations of the metrical Psalms, which were set to music for congregational singing. Goudimel's most notable work is the collection titled "Psalmi Davidis Poenitentiales" (1565), which includes settings of penitential psalms that reflect his skill in polyphonic composition. Goudimel's music is characterized by its careful balance of textual clarity and melodic beauty, making it accessible for worship settings. He was also a pivotal figure in the development of the French musical style during the Renaissance, blending traditional liturgical music with emerging secular influences. His works contributed to the Reformation's musical practices, particularly in Protestant churches. Despite his relatively limited body of work, Goudimel's influence on choral music and his role in the evolution of psalmody in France marked him as a significant figure in the history of Western music, bridging the gap between the sacred and the emerging secular traditions of the time.