Paraphrased Psalms

[rondirect]

What is the ruling on using paraphrased Psalms? I personally do not like the chant found in our missals. The old collections from OCP (Singing the Psalms) and GIA (Celebration Series) are so old and outdated. We are now using “The Lyric Psalter” books authored by Tony Alonso and Marty Haugen and are loved by the cantors and assembly. They say that they are taken from “The Revised Grail Psalms,” but the verses are not exact to the Lectionary and the refrains, although true to the Lectionary, add a repeat of a phrase or two.

What does the church say regarding the use of these Psalms? I would think that the church would not approve them for use if they were in violation of any liturgical law.

 

[Gorgias]

What is the ruling on using paraphrased Psalms? I personally do not like the chant found in our missals.

Hmm… I assume you mean “using paraphrased Psalms [in the context of the Responsorial Psalm read or chanted during Mass]”?

The GIRM (#61) says:

In the Dioceses of the United States of America, instead of the Psalm assigned in the Lectionary, there may be sung either the Responsorial Gradual from the Graduale Romanum, or the Responsorial Psalm or the Alleluia Psalm from the Graduale Simplex, as described in these books, or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of Psalms and antiphons, including Psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the Responsorial Psalm.

So, it would seem that “Psalms arranged in metrical form”, with proper approval, are appropriate. It’s not that any song or hymn may be used; but those which are approved are appropriate.

 

[pianistclare]

This is often debated in parishes.
Our current Choir Director SWEARS that she was given a book by a previous pastor that says it’s OK to substitute similar psalms or songs on any given Sunday. As a result, we had for the Immaculate Conception “All the ends of the earth sing a joyful song, sing to the Lord there is salvation!”
In a Gospel style.
Horrible. I actually felt bad for Our Lady.
All the priests I have worked for as a Choir Director (I’m the DRE now, long story) have said to sing the Responsorial Psalm exactly as written. Exactly. No substitutions, and certainly no random song that sort of hits the theme.
I agree. Why do we always want to re-invent the wheel? I do understand, that sometimes a priest may offer that if a particular song can’t be found set to music, or the cantor of choir is ill-equipped to sing said Psalm, maybe a different version could be used. But this is not really a problem. I’ve always used “Respond and Acclaim” which is published annually, inexpensive for the choir and cantors and has the exact psalm and the correct one for every Sunday Mass and Holy Day.
I’m actually pretty ok with various types of music, but the proper singing of the Psalms is kind of a pet peeve of mine.
I don’t know the publication that the OP is speaking of, but the offerings in the Gather hymnal are actually melodically pleasing and mostly true to the original texts.
Good luck! We choir directors are a picky sort.

 

[pnewton]

I know the GIRM allows for other approved Psalms to be used and for allowances to be made for metrics. This question is particular appropriate for the kooky psalm of this last week, which in my opinion, was one of the most irregular, awkward psalms I have ever encountered. The missalette and Respond and Acclaim offered me know insight. Sometimes, more often than not, I will sit at the piano or guitar and write something of my own. In this case, I took the first measure from the missalette and re-wrote the rest.

I too have always been particular about singing the exact words, not substitutions and no repeats.

 

[rondirect]

Thanks for your responses. We use the new “Lyric Psalter” by Marty Haugen and Tony Alonso which is approved and written in metrical style. I should have referred to the GIRM. The reason I asked is because I live in a transient area where we have a lot of visitors. Some are liturgical police who like to complain and one was very upset that the Psalm was not sung as written exactly as written in the missal. And, no, I never use a song to replace the Psalm of the day, nor do I use seasonal Psalms. We also use the Celtic Mass Alleluia and verse music. Any verse can be written in this acclamation which we do every week taken from the lectionary.

For Clair: your choir director was close. The Psalm for IC is the same for Christmas, except for the refrain which for IC is “Sing to the Lord a New Song.” The verses are the same for both solemnities.

 

[rondirect]

I know the GIRM allows for other approved Psalms to be used and for allowances to be made for metrics. This question is particular appropriate for the kooky psalm of this last week, which in my opinion, was one of the most irregular, awkward psalms I have ever encountered. The missalette and Respond and Acclaim offered me know insight. Sometimes, more often than not, I will sit at the piano or guitar and write something of my own. In this case, I took the first measure from the missalette and re-wrote the rest.

I too have always been particular about singing the exact words, not substitutions and no repeats.

Didn’t think the Psalm response was kooky at all. Here is an example from the Lyric Psalter for last weekend’s Canticle:

resources.giamusic.com/mp3s/893_3.mp3

Not a fan of Respond and Acclaim.

 

[pnewton]

Didn’t think the Psalm response was kooky at all.

Let me be more specific. The Psalm you recorded had multiple changes in the length of measure, or seemed to have (just try counting the 6/8 time). The Psalm has three part. The first part is six lines long. The second is three lines long. The third is five lines long. It is the most irregular Psalm I remember. Therefore I consider it very awkward and clumsy, metrically speaking.

The reason I asked is because I live in a transient area where we have a lot of visitors. Some are liturgical police who like to complain and one was very upset that the Psalm was not sung as written exactly as written in the missal.

We occasionally have people here that like to police liturgy from afar. I remind them that the only people who have oversight over the liturgy local is the bishop, who passes down authority to the priest and others locally. Those passing through do not know the parish, the people or the needs like those with local authority. In the area of the Psalm, the GIRM is not all that strict.

Maybe we need to put together our own psalter here.

 

[pianistclare]

Not a fan of Respond and Acclaim.

Why?

 

[drforjc]

Let me be more specific. The Psalm you recorded had multiple changes in the length of measure, or seemed to have (just try counting the 6/8 time). The Psalm has three part. The first part is six lines long. The second is three lines long. The third is five lines long. It is the most irregular Psalm I remember. Therefore I consider it very awkward and clumsy, metrically speaking.

We occasionally have people here that like to police liturgy from afar. I remind them that the only people who have oversight over the liturgy local is the bishop, who passes down authority to the priest and others locally. Those passing through do not know the parish, the people or the needs like those with local authority. In the area of the Psalm, the GIRM is not all that strict.

Maybe we need to put together our own psalter here.

Well, the bishop doesn’t have unlimited authority over the liturgy… this is why liturgical texts need to be submitted to Rome for approval and confirmation.

In the case of the Lyrical Psalter, according to GIA it uses the Revised Grail Psalms which was indeed submitted to Rome and received approval and confirmation.

 

[rondirect]

Let me be more specific. The Psalm you recorded had multiple changes in the length of measure, or seemed to have (just try counting the 6/8 time). The Psalm has three part. The first part is six lines long. The second is three lines long. The third is five lines long. It is the most irregular Psalm I remember. Therefore I consider it very awkward and clumsy, metrically speaking.

We occasionally have people here that like to police liturgy from afar. I remind them that the only people who have oversight over the liturgy local is the bishop, who passes down authority to the priest and others locally. Those passing through do not know the parish, the people or the needs like those with local authority. In the area of the Psalm, the GIRM is not all that strict.

Maybe we need to put together our own psalter here.

The Canticle I sent was a strict 3/8 with typical quarter notes, simple eighth notes, 3 to a measure, and two 16ths…very simple. You can probably view it on the GIA web site. The verses are the same. The refrain has a descant that you heard. To me, not irregular at all, just a verse that is rather wordy.

Don’t understand those for police the liturgy…as if they are there only to find fault. I usually tell them that I am within the guidelines of the church and this diocese and we do have other local churches in the area that might better suit your wishes!

 

[rondirect]

Well, the bishop doesn’t have unlimited authority over the liturgy… this is why liturgical texts need to be submitted to Rome for approval and confirmation.

In the case of the Lyrical Psalter, according to GIA it uses the Revised Grail Psalms which was indeed submitted to Rome and received approval and confirmation.

Thank you.

 

[rondirect]

Why?

Not a fan of the chant style; prefer the metrical. For me, rather boring otherwise.

 

[pianistclare]

Not a fan of the chant style; prefer the metrical. For me, rather boring otherwise.

Oh, see I prefer the lone cantor with the choir below. Easier to make out the words, and really easy fro a slow congregation to get with the refrain. The range is never too high either, which is often another problem that prevents people from singing.

 

[Joe_5859]

This is often debated in parishes.
Our current Choir Director SWEARS that she was given a book by a previous pastor that says it’s OK to substitute similar psalms or songs on any given Sunday. As a result, we had for the Immaculate Conception “All the ends of the earth sing a joyful song, sing to the Lord there is salvation!”
In a Gospel style.
Horrible. I actually felt bad for Our Lady.
All the priests I have worked for as a Choir Director (I’m the DRE now, long story) have said to sing the Responsorial Psalm exactly as written. Exactly. No substitutions, and certainly no random song that sort of hits the theme.
I agree. Why do we always want to re-invent the wheel? I do understand, that sometimes a priest may offer that if a particular song can’t be found set to music, or the cantor of choir is ill-equipped to sing said Psalm, maybe a different version could be used. But this is not really a problem. I’ve always used “Respond and Acclaim” which is published annually, inexpensive for the choir and cantors and has the exact psalm and the correct one for every Sunday Mass and Holy Day.
I’m actually pretty ok with various types of music, but the proper singing of the Psalms is kind of a pet peeve of mine.
I don’t know the publication that the OP is speaking of, but the offerings in the Gather hymnal are actually melodically pleasing and mostly true to the original texts.
Good luck! We choir directors are a picky sort.

It’s a pet peeve of mine, too. The Psalm generally fits with the other readings and was chosen for that particular day for a particular reason. I know I’ve been to some places where they very seldom use the actual Psalm of the day. Thankfully, not where I am now, though.

 

[pianistclare]

It’s a pet peeve of mine, too. The Psalm generally fits with the other readings and was chosen for that particular day for a particular reason. I know I’ve been to some places where they very seldom use the actual Psalm of the day. Thankfully, not where I am now, though.

Yes. And the rationale of “Well, we don’t know it” doesn’t wash with me. They’re in the hymnal;, and Respond and Acclaim is really a cheap resource. No excuses. They take exactly 10 minutes to learn, and they are repeated every 3 years or more often in some cases!!! One of my all time favorites is the Spanish Midnight Mass Psalm.

Cantare eternamente, la misericorcia del Señor. Beautiful.

 

[Elizium23]

Respond & Acclaim is pretty much the only thing OCP has ever done right.

 

[rondirect]

Oh, see I prefer the lone cantor with the choir below. Easier to make out the words, and really easy fro a slow congregation to get with the refrain. The range is never too high either, which is often another problem that prevents people from singing.

If I understand you correctly, let me elaborate on what we do: The instrumentation introduces the whole refrain, the cantor sings the refrain, and then the choir and assembly join in repeating the refrain. The cantor stands alone on the verses. Trust me, the metrical style works; the congregation gets it quickly.

 

[rondirect]

It’s a pet peeve of mine, too. The Psalm generally fits with the other readings and was chosen for that particular day for a particular reason. I know I’ve been to some places where they very seldom use the actual Psalm of the day. Thankfully, not where I am now, though.

Agreed Joe. Although I too prefer the Responsorial Psalm of the day (which I insist on doing), as you know there are seasonal Psalms that are approved as well. So, for instance, for the entire Christmas season, it is perfectly acceptable to sing Psalm 98 over and over again. And, I believe, off the top of my head, there are 7 for Ordinary Time. The Church does not define the action of Psalm response very clearly, or better yet, is rather relaxed on the rulings.

 

[rondirect]

Yes. And the rationale of “Well, we don’t know it” doesn’t wash with me. They’re in the hymnal;, and Respond and Acclaim is really a cheap resource. No excuses. They take exactly 10 minutes to learn, and they are repeated every 3 years or more often in some cases!!! One of my all time favorites is the Spanish Midnight Mass Psalm.

Cantare eternamente, la misericorcia del Señor. Beautiful.

Totally agree 100%. Had that issue years ago, but stuck by my guns and today it is normal course of action to learn the new Psalm each week. That’s why we plan well in advance and create practice CDs for the cantors we have. All we have to do at rehearsal is learn the refrain as a whole and the cantors are smart enough to learn the verses on their own or our pianists will help them after mass for the following week. If they can learn R&A, they can learn The Lyric Psalter…just another plug for that wonderful resource. LOL!

 

[rondirect]

Respond & Acclaim is pretty much the only thing OCP has ever done right.

To each his own. I know so many others who throw this resource away and comically call it “Respond and Complain.” Whatever works best for your congregation is what it’s all about.