TASTE and SING: PSALMS IN THE LITURGY
PETER KOLAR, WORLD LIBRARY PUBLICATIONS ETYMOLOGY
The word psalm is derived from the Greek Psalmoi [Ψαλµοί], originally meaning “music of the lyre” or
“songs sung to a harp”, from psallein “play on a stringed instrument.” (Wikipedia)
TYPES OF PSALMS
1. Hymns
2. Imprecatory (curse – to call down harm on somebody)
3. Individual Laments
4. Communal Laments
5. Songs of Trust
6. Individual Thanksgiving Psalms
7. Royal Psalms
8. Wisdom Psalms
9. Pilgrimage Psalms
10. Liturgical Psalms
PSALM NUMBERING
Masoretic (Hebrew-based)
Spanish-language Bibles
Spanish-language Leccionario & Misal Romano
1973 U.S. Sacramentary
Septuagint, Vulgate (Latin-based)
English-language Bibles (NAB)
English-language Lectionary
Roman Missal 3rd Ed.*
Psalms
Psalms
1–8 __________________________________________________________ 1–8
9–10 ___________________________________________________________ 9
11–113 ____________________________________________________ 10–112
114–115 ______________________________________________________ 113
116 vs. 1–9 ____________________________________________________ 114
116 vs. 10–19 __________________________________________________ 115
117–146 __________________________________________________ 116–145
147 vs. 1–11 ___________________________________________________ 146
147 vs. 12–29 __________________________________________________ 147
148–150 __________________________________________________ 148–150
DIFFERENCES IN TRANSLATION
English: ICEL vs. CCD vs. Grail
Spanish: Spain Leccionario (Biblia Latinoamerica) vs. Mexican Leccionario
PSALMS IN THE ORDINARY OF MASS
• Penitential Act, Form B (Psalm 85:8) — Show us, O Lord, your mercy. / And grant us your salvation.
• Sanctus (Ps 118:26) — Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
REFERENCES TO PSALMODY IN Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship
Excerpts © 2007, USCCB. All rights reserved.
Paragraph 77 — The Entrance and Communion antiphons (under Gregorian Chant)
Paragraph 115 — Antiphons and Psalms (under The Parts to Be Sung)
Paragraph 117 — Proper Antiphons (under The Parts to Be Sung, cont.)
Paragraph 144 — The Entrance Chant or Song (under Music and the Structure of the Mass)
Paragraphs 155–160 — The Responsorial Psalm (under Music and the Structure of the Mass)
Paragraph 164 — Gospel Acclamation (under Music and the Structure of the Mass)
Paragraphs 192, 194 — Communion (under Music and the Structure of the Mass)
Paragraph 196 — Song After Communion (under Music and the Structure of the Mass)
Paragraph 230 — Liturgy of the Hours
Paragraphs 232–236 — Ways in which the psalms may be sung:
• Responsorial • Antiphonal • Through-Composed • Metrical Psalms
Footnotes
94
“In the liturgy of the hours the Church in large measure prays through the magnificent songs that the Old Testament authors
composed under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The origin of these verses gives them great power to raise the mind to God, to
inspire devotion, to evoke gratitude in times of favor, and to bring consolation and courage in times of trial” (GILH, no. 100).
97
“The praying of the psalms . . . must be grasped with new warmth by the people of God. This will be achieved more readily if a
deeper understanding of the psalms, in the meaning in which they are used in the liturgy, is more diligently promoted among the
clergy and communicated to all the faithful by means of appropriate catechesis” (Paul VI, Apostolic Constitution Laudis canticum
[1970], no. 8).
110
“The singing at this time is done either alternately by the choir and the people or in a similar way by the cantor and the people, or
entirely by the people, or by the choir alone. In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four options for the Entrance
Chant (song): (1) the antiphon from the Roman Missal or the Psalm from the Roman Gradual as set to music there or in another
musical setting; (2) the seasonal antiphon and Psalm of the Simple Gradual; (3) a song from another collection of psalms and
antiphons, approved by the Conference of Bishops or the diocesan Bishop, including psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical
forms; (4) a suitable liturgical song similarly approved by the Conference of Bishops or the diocesan Bishop” (GIRM, no. 48).
139
“In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four options for the Communion chant (song): (1) the antiphon from
the Roman Missal or the Psalm from the Roman Gradual, as set to music there or in another musical setting; (2) the seasonal
antiphon and Psalm of the Simple Gradual; (3) a song from another collection of psalms and antiphons, approved by the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the diocesan Bishop, including psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) a
suitable liturgical song chosen in accordance with no. 86. This is sung either by the choir alone or by the choir or cantor with the
people” (GIRM, no. 87). 160 Antiphons from the Graduale Romanum or Graduale Simplex might be sung in Latin or vernacular.
HYMNS WITH PSALM-BASED TEXTS:
You Are Near (Schutte) — Ps 139:1–18 [WC* #868] *We Celebrate hymnal
From All That Dwell below the Skies — Ps 72:17–19; Ps 117:1–2 [WC #919]
A Mighty Fortress — Ps 46 [WC #818]
All People That on Earth Do Dwell — Ps 100:1–4 [WC #927]
The King of Love — Ps 23:1–6 [WC #829]
Joy to the World — Ps 98 [WC #493]
Be Still and Know that I am God (Warner) — Ps 46 [WC #844]
On Eagles Wings — Ps 91 [WC #864]