Psalm Cylinders are recorded relics scattered across Pharloom in Hollow Knight: Silksong. You’ll turn them in to Vaultkeeper Cardinius in the Whispering Vaults to earn rosaries and unlock in‑game Melodies. There are six in total, and one of them — the Sacred Cylinder — is required to learn the Vaultkeeper’s Melody tied to a main objective.

How the handoff works

Find Vaultkeeper Cardinius in the Whispering Vaults; there’s a bench just above his chamber. Each cylinder you bring him yields rosaries and adds a Melody you can play on the gramophone. Handing over the Sacred Cylinder also teaches Hornet the Vaultkeeper’s Melody and fulfills the quest step tied to it.

Whispering Vaults: three cylinders

  • Cardinius’s chamber (upper vaults): In the same room as the gramophone. From the bench above, drop down into Cardinius’s room and climb the boxes on the far right to grab the glowing cylinder.
  • Bottom vaults near the Underworks connection (Sacred Cylinder): This sits in the lower half of Whispering Vaults, separated from the upper section. First, open the route to Underworks by clearing the Trobbio gate. Ride the elevator down to Underworks, then send it back up to expose the space beneath; follow the corridor to reach the bottom of the vaults and collect the Sacred Cylinder. A newly opened path lets you loop back toward the upper vaults afterward.
  • Secret route below Songclave: Start at the far right of Whispering Vaults and look for a narrow ceiling gap that leads into a hidden traversal gauntlet. You’ll trigger a hanging ring, drop through a floor hatch, weave past spinning gears, and hit a series of levers. Use the updraft to surface near the right side of Songclave, then Clawline left into a well‑lit room housing the cylinder and a gate shortcut back.

High Halls: one cylinder

This one hides behind metal railings in a vertical section lined with spikes. Approach via the adjacent tunnels and look for crooked railings you can break. Work around the walls, climb through the shafts, and drop into the caged nook to claim the cylinder.

Whiteward: one cylinder (post‑boss)

You’ll need the Surgeon’s Key to unlock the operating theater that leads to the Unravelled boss. After defeating the boss, continue right to the Underworks entrance. As you land, turn left and strike the nearby wall to reveal a breakable section; follow the hidden corridor to the cylinder at the end.

Blasted Steps: one cylinder (merchant)

Grindle sells the final Psalm Cylinder in the Blasted Steps, near the approach to Sands of Karak. Reach his market and purchase it for rosaries. If you’re exploring early, having Faydown Cloak (double jump) makes the route above the cages and Bellway much simpler.

What you get for completing the set

  • Rosaries: Every cylinder turned in pays out currency; the Sacred Cylinder yields more.
  • Melodies: Each cylinder unlocks a track you can play at the gramophone in Cardinius’s chamber.
  • Quest progress: Turning in the Sacred Cylinder teaches the Vaultkeeper’s Melody and completes the objective tied to it.

Traversal tools that help

  • Cling Grip: For tight wall‑climb sections and ceiling gaps in the vaults.
  • Drifter’s Cloak: To control descents through spiked gear corridors.
  • Clawline: Required to reach the secret room off the Songclave surface.
  • Faydown Cloak: Double jump makes the Blasted Steps merchant route and certain vertical shafts more forgiving.
Tip: When routing the three Whispering Vaults pickups, grab the one in Cardinius’s chamber first to set your bearings, detour for the Sacred Cylinder via the Underworks elevator path, then tackle the Songclave gauntlet last; it’s the longest leg and naturally deposits you near a convenient return gate.

Once all six are in hand, return to the Whispering Vaults and hand them over in Cardinius’s room. If you’re chasing completion, the same loop also reveals several shortcuts you’ll appreciate later when revisiting the Citadel and surrounding zones.