Rachel Evans
The Common Psalms can be found in Volume I of the Lectionary and are intended to be used as a resource for communities that wish to sing psalms during Catholic liturgy. The Common Psalms can replace the psalm given at Mass and are arranged according to the liturgical seasons. The Catholic liturgy is quite explicit about the use of songs or hymns in place of the responsorial psalm, which is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of Common Psalms | To provide a resource for communities that wish to begin singing the psalm |
| Where to find Common Psalms | Towards the end of Volume I of the Lectionary (pg. 949–963) |
| Use of Common Psalms | Can replace the psalm given at any Mass |
| Arrangement of Common Psalms | According to the liturgical seasons |
| Importance of the Responsorial Psalm | An integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance |
| Use of Songs/Hymns | Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the Responsorial Psalm |
| Use of Non-biblical Texts | Unlawful to substitute non-biblical texts for the readings and Responsorial Psalm |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of the Psalms in Catholic liturgy
The Psalms are an integral part of Catholic liturgy and have been since the earliest days of the Church. The 150 Psalms of the Bible have been recited daily by devout Jews for centuries and would have been prayed by Jesus himself. As such, the Church has long had the practice of praying the Psalms in imitation of Jesus. Over the centuries, priests and religious developed a weekly pattern of praying the Psalms that became known as the Divine Office or the Liturgy of the Hours.
The GIRM also states that "songs or hymns may not be used in place of the Responsorial Psalm". This is because the Responsorial is a reading from scripture, and meditation upon the Word of God is of utmost importance in the Liturgy of the Word. Composers, therefore, have a responsibility to be faithful to the scriptures and ensure that their compositions reflect the beauty and universality of the text.
The Common Psalms, found in the Lectionary, are intended to provide a resource for communities that wish to begin singing the psalm. They can replace the psalm given at any Mass and are arranged according to the liturgical seasons. The intention is for communities to have a core repertoire of psalms that can be used for any occasion.
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The use of Common Psalms in Catholic liturgy
The Common Psalms are located towards the end of Volume I of the Lectionary (pages 949–963). They are intended to be used as a resource for communities that want to start singing psalms. The texts are arranged according to the liturgical seasons and can replace the psalm given at any Mass. The compilers of the Lectionary intend for communities to have a core repertoire of psalms that can be used for any occasion. It is recommended to use a setting over several weeks or a season to allow the psalmist to gain confidence and for the community to familiarise themselves with a particular psalm.
The Responsorial Psalm is a reading from scripture and is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word. It holds great liturgical and pastoral importance as it fosters meditation on the word of God. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states that the responsorial psalm should correspond to each reading and should be taken from the Lectionary. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the Responsorial Psalm. The GIRM also states that it is unlawful to substitute other, non-biblical texts for the responsorial psalm, which contains the word of God.
The use of psalms in the Catholic liturgy has a long history, with priests and religious reciting and praying specific psalms daily for much of Christian history. The Church has had the practice of praying the Psalms in imitation of Jesus since the earliest centuries of Christianity. Over time, a weekly pattern of praying the Psalms, known as the Divine Office or the Liturgy of the Hours, was developed. This pattern has varied, but the Church has continued to pray the Psalms since its founding.
Today, specific psalms are still recommended for Catholics to pray, such as those found in the Liturgy of the Hours, including Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Evening Prayer (Vespers). These psalms are often recited during religious and non-religious ceremonies and have been memorized by many priests and religious figures throughout history.
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The practice of paraphrasing Responsorial Psalms
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states that "songs or hymns may not be used in place of the Responsorial Psalm." This restriction on paraphrasing aims to preserve the integrity of Scripture, ensuring that the meaning of the original text is not altered. The Responsorial Psalm is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word, fostering meditation on the Word of God.
It is important to distinguish a genuine psalm paraphrase from Scripture-based songs. A paraphrase respects the psalm's integrity by representing a single psalm without adding external elements. It also maintains the original order of ideas and images. However, some songs labelled as "psalm paraphrases" may incorporate elements from multiple psalms or other Scripture texts, deviating from the intention of a true paraphrase.
While the practice of paraphrasing Responsorial Psalms has faced scrutiny, it is worth noting that the GIRM does not explicitly prohibit paraphrases. The focus should be on ensuring that any paraphrased version faithfully conveys the meaning of the original Scripture, maintaining the integrity of the Word of God.
In conclusion, the practice of paraphrasing Responsorial Psalms has evolved over time. While there may be practical advantages to paraphrasing, the primary concern is to uphold the integrity of Scripture and ensure that any paraphrased version accurately reflects the Word of God. As such, composers and musicians are called to be faithful to the Scriptures, respecting the liturgical and pastoral importance of the Responsorial Psalm in Catholic liturgy.
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The role of music and singing in Catholic liturgy
Music and singing play a significant role in Catholic liturgy, with the verb "to sing" and related words being among the most common in the Bible. The choice of music for liturgy is important as it can affect the beliefs of those who listen to it. For instance, if a parish sings a hymn that implies Christ was only a man, parishioners may start to believe this, despite it being heresy.
In the 19th century, operatic elements were introduced to liturgy, leading Pope Pius X to declare Gregorian chant and the polyphony of the Catholic Reformation as the standard for liturgical music. This established a clear distinction between liturgical and religious music.
Following the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, the revised liturgy allowed the congregation to sing vernacular hymns during certain moments, such as the recitation of the gradual, introit, offertory, and communion. However, this was not considered a radical change to the nature and ethos of Roman Catholic worship. The council's intention was to cultivate a vibrant Catholic culture that would attract people to it.
The Responsorial Psalm, a reading from scripture, is an important part of the Liturgy of the Word, and composers are expected to set the text to music without changing the words. The GIRM states that "Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the Responsorial Psalm."
The Common Psalms can be found in Volume I of the Lectionary and are intended to provide a resource for communities that wish to sing psalms during Mass. These psalms are arranged according to the liturgical seasons and are meant to be a core repertoire that can be used for any occasion.
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The history of Psalms in Christian worship
The Book of Psalms, also known as the Psalter, is an anthology of Hebrew religious hymns. In the Jewish and Western Christian traditions, there are 150 psalms, with several more in the Eastern Christian churches. The psalms were composed over a period of at least five centuries, with Psalm 29 dating back to the 10th century BCE and others originating in the post-Exilic period (5th century BCE onwards). The majority are thought to have come from the southern kingdom of Judah and were associated with the Temple in Jerusalem, where they may have been used in worship.
The Psalms have played an important role in Christian worship throughout history, especially in monasteries. After the death of the original apostles, psalms continued to be a part of church worship. Tertullian (c. 160-225 AD) mentions the singing of songs from scripture during the Lord's Supper, and St. Jerome (c. 348-420 AD) describes the chanting of psalms as a feature of early monastic life. With the development of daily worship, the psalms took on even greater significance, with specific psalms assigned to morning and evening services. By the sixth century, monasticism led to an even more elaborate use of the psalms, with Benedict of Nursia prescribing up to thirty-six psalms for a single service.
Martin Luther, the father of the Reformation, was trained in this monastic tradition and sang all 150 psalms on a weekly basis. However, he later complained that the rigorous schedule left him little time for other duties. Luther proposed simpler morning and evening services that retained the use of psalms but on a reduced scale. Some of his earliest hymns were paraphrases of psalms.
The Psalms have also been central to both corporate worship and personal devotional practices. They have influenced much of modern and contemporary Christian worship music, with many songs directly quoting or basing themselves on specific psalms. A liturgical renewal following World War II saw a revival of psalm-singing in some churches, and Vatican II encouraged the use of responsorial psalms.
Today, the Psalms continue to be an important part of worship in denominations such as Lutheranism. They are also found in the Lectionary, a resource for Catholic communities that wish to incorporate psalm-singing into their Masses.
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Frequently asked questions
The Responsorial Psalm is a reading from scripture, which is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word. It holds great liturgical and pastoral importance as it fosters meditation on the word of God.
No. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) is explicit that the Responsorial Psalm should not be replaced by songs or hymns. It should correspond to each reading and be taken from the Lectionary.
The Liturgy of the Word is made up of readings from Sacred Scripture, along with the chants occurring between them. The Homily, Creed, and Universal Prayer are also part of the Liturgy of the Word.
There are 150 Psalms in the Bible, and many have been recited daily by devout Jews and Christians for centuries. Some common Psalms for Catholics include those prayed daily during Lauds in the traditional Roman Divine Office, such as "O God, you are my God" and "Sing a new song to the LORD".
The Common Psalms can be found in Volume I of the Lectionary, intended to provide a resource for communities that wish to sing the psalms. They can replace the psalm given at any Mass and are arranged according to liturgical seasons.
