Psalms - what is and isn't allowed?

[Elzee]

I believe I remember learning that the Responsorial Psalm designated for each Sunday can be replaced with other, designated Psalms.

My question is…can the Pslam be replaced by *a song that is based on a Psalm? * Our parish sometimes does this. Our liturgical coordinator says it’s okay since we sing it like a Psalm (cantor singing the refrain, congregation sings the verses) and the text is *based *on a Psalm. * Or, do the words that are sung have to actually be the words of the Pslam? *

And if I may throw in a vent…why the heck can we just not use what the Church has designated for each Sunday???
Thanks. I feel better.

 

[SMHW]

I believe I remember learning that the Responsorial Psalm designated for each Sunday can be replaced with other, designated Psalms.

My question is…can the Pslam be replaced by *a song that is based on a Psalm? *Our parish sometimes does this. Our liturgical coordinator says it’s okay since we sing it like a Psalm (cantor singing the refrain, congregation sings the verses) and the text is *based *on a Psalm. *Or, do the words that are sung have to actually be the words of the Pslam? *

And if I may throw in a vent…why the heck can we just not use what the Church has designated for each Sunday???
Thanks. I feel better.

There are ‘seasonal psalms’ that may replace the psalm of the day. Someone will probably give the GIRM reference.

Reasons why the seasonal psalm might be used rather than the psalm of the day: the psalmist/instrumentalist is not capable of singing/playing the psalm of the day; the parish wishes to use a single psalm for a liturgical season (like Advent) to emphasize the character of that season; to give the people a chance to learn to sing along. Remember that psalms are SONGS not poems. The GIRM emphasizes that whenever possible they are to be SUNG, not recited. If a choice must be made, it is better to sing a seaonal psalm than to recite the psalm of the day.

A song is OK to use as a psalm IF it really is the psalm. I think, (but I’m not sure) there is more than one biblical translation that can be used for Mass so the song could use words other than the usual translation but they must be from an approved translation. Not just any old song based on a psalm is allowable.

 

[drforjc]

From the GIRM via theUSCCB website

In the dioceses of the United States of America, the following may also be sung in place of the Psalm assigned in the Lectionary for Mass: either the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, as found either in the Roman Gradual or Simple Gradual or in another musical setting; or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of the psalms and antiphons, including psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the responsorial Psalm.

I think, (but I’m not sure) there is more than one biblical translation that can be used for Mass so the song could use words other than the usual translation but they must be from an approved translation

That used to be true but when the current Lectionary was promulgated in the USA (I’m assuming that’s where you are), it became the only translation approved for mass in the US.