Psalm Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter catholicbball17
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

catholicbball17

Guest
Hi there,
I have had another thorn bugging me for a few weeks now. At a church I go to sometimes, they have been using Psalms with verses that are not exactly matching the verses according to the Hymnal/Missal (Breaking Bread) nor the USCCB verses. One thing about the verses is that the choir director seems to have something about using the word “he” and uses the name “God” especially during the verses. I am uncertain but I am concerned that there might be a form of the h-word going around with this changes.
 
I’m getting old and I don’t understand your reference to “h-word.”

In my church, the singer is usually a soprano, and I can’t understand anything in the psalm.

Separate issue: I once called in to Fr. Mitch Pacwa’s EWTN Live program on the subject of Gregorian Chant. His guest was promoting GC, but I called in to comment that I usually couldn’t understand the words of GC. I was basically laughed at, worrying about the words.

I guess with GC it doesn’t matter.

Dr. Ray Guarandi, child psychologist and radio host on EWTN radio, today suggested what people should give up for Lent: being offended.

I’m going to try it.
 
I like word games. Heresy? Nah. If the cantor or someone at your church is changing the words to the Responsorial Psalm, that word does not apply. Not by a long shot. Why don’t you ask your pastor about this irregularity.
 
There are a number of alternate Psalms that can be used during the Liturgy. In our Missalette they are usually listed. So yes, other psalms can be used, not a problem. In my parish we often use one of the alternate psalms.
 
Also, the Psalm in the missal or hymnal for that day does not even have to be used, as a number of alternate Psalms can be used instead. So if this happens, don’t be concerned. Some people post a concern when that happens at Mass.

And the “h” word is not even applicable here–look it up so you understand what it is and how it applies. That will help allay your concerns. 🙂
 
But my concern is that the changes in the verses from “he” to God in addition to butchering the Psalm “He who walks…” to something else that leaves the he (I can’t remember). So my concern is possibly rejecting the idea of referring to God as a he (that is what I am thinking might be or might not be heresy).
 
CB_Catholic said:
**Also, the Psalm in the missal or hymnal for that day does not even have to be used, as a number of alternate Psalms can be used instead. ** So if this happens, don’t be concerned. Some people post a concern when that happens at Mass.

And the “h” word is not even applicable here–look it up so you understand what it is and how it applies. That will help allay your concerns. 🙂
Click to expand...
An alternate version can be used, too, where the music is different than the version that is in the Missalette.

When I was a Psalmist in my last parish, the Music Director would sometimes use a slightly different version of the Psalm, than the one that was in the Missalette.

She had various copies of different music editions of the musician’s editions of different hymnals and music books that she would use, where she would use a Psalm from them instead.

The response was the same so that everyone could sing the response from the Missalette, but I would have a different copy of music to sing from, that was from another music source.
 
oldgraymare2 said:
An alternate version can be used, too, where the music is different than the version that is in the Missalette.

When I was a Psalmist in my last parish, the Music Director would sometimes use a slightly different version of the Psalm, than the one that was in the Missalette.

She had various copies of different music editions of the musician’s editions of different hymnals and music books that she would use, where she would use a Psalm from them instead.

The response was the same so that everyone could sing the response from the Missalette, but I would have a different copy of music to sing from, that was from another music source.
Click to expand...
But my concern is the usage of God’s name instead of he such as “He only is my rock and salvation” to “God is my rock and my salvation” in the Psalm and verses where he is used.
 
catholicbball17 said:
But my concern is the usage of God’s name instead of he such as “He only is my rock and salvation” to “God is my rock and my salvation”
Click to expand...
I don’t know, since I’m not there. I responded with what I think could be a possibility, having been a parish musician in the past. 🙂

As someone else already mentioned, if you’re concerned about it, I would also suggest asking your pastor about it. 🙂
 
catholicbball17 said:
But my concern is that the changes in the verses from “he” to God in addition to butchering the Psalm “He who walks…” to something else that leaves the he (I can’t remember). So my concern is possibly rejecting the idea of referring to God as a he (that is what I am thinking might be or might not be heresy).
Click to expand...
How could it be heresy? Look the word up. In reality, God is neither male nor female, so using “God” in place of “he” is not heresy. However, Jesus as a human was a male, and referred to God as “Father”, and thus we use the masculine in referring to the persons of the Trinity. But it is not heresy to say God instead of “he” because God has no sex. There is neither male or female in the spiritual realm. God is God. They are not referring to God as a she. I know it’s not traditional, but it certainly is not heresy.

And if the Psalm is being sung, there is a lot more leeway used when putting them to musical settings. Ask any musician.

I think perhaps you have to learn not to be so distracted by things at Mass that may be different than you are used to, and if you are bothered, ask the priest for an explanation. Most of the time there is a legitimate explanation.
 
CB_Catholic said:
How could it be heresy? Look the word up. In reality, God is neither male nor female, so using “God” in place of “he” is not heresy. However, Jesus as a human was a male, and referred to God as “Father”, and thus we use the masculine in referring to the persons of the Trinity. But it is not heresy to say God instead of “he” because God has no sex. There is neither male or female in the spiritual realm. God is God. They are not referring to God as a she. I know it’s not traditional, but it certainly is not heresy.

And if the Psalm is being sung, there is a lot more leeway used when putting them to musical settings. Ask any musician.

I think perhaps you have to learn not to be so distracted by things at Mass that may be different than you are used to, and if you are bothered, ask the priest for an explanation. Most of the time there is a legitimate explanation.
Click to expand...
Hi Carolyn,

You said this better than I could! Thanks. This is what I was thinking and was trying to say while I was typing, but sometimes I am not as succinct in getting my point across. 🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top