Substituting words in responsorial psalms

[DallasCatholic]

A particular irratation is when our music leader does not sing the responsorial psalms in the missalette but instead changes the words. This bothers me because many of the “substitutions” do not mean the same thing. For example “…because we respect God” does not mean the same as “…because we fear God”. Comments? Licit/Illicit/illegal?

 

[benedictgal]

A particular irratation is when our music leader does not sing the responsorial psalms in the missalette but instead changes the words. This bothers me because many of the “substitutions” do not mean the same thing. For example “…because we respect God” does not mean the same as “…because we fear God”. Comments? Licit/Illicit/illegal?

Actually, this is an ilicit practice. Per Redemptionis Sacramentum:

[59.] The reprobated practice by which Priests, Deacons or the faithful here and there alter or vary at will the texts of the Sacred Liturgy that they are charged to pronounce, must cease. For in doing thus, they render the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy unstable, and not infrequently distort the authentic meaning of the Liturgy.

And again:

[61.] In selecting the biblical readings for proclamation in the celebration of Mass, the norms found in the liturgical books are to be followed,136 so that indeed “a richer table of the Word of God will be prepared for the faithful, and the biblical treasures opened up for them”.137

[62.] It is also illicit to omit or to substitute the prescribed biblical readings on one’s own initiative, and especially “to substitute other, non-biblical texts for the readings and responsorial Psalm, which contain the word of God”.138

While the GIRM does make provisions for the use of a different responsorial psalm, there are some paramters that need to be followed:

The Responsorial Psalm

1. After the first reading comes the responsorial Psalm, which is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance, because it fosters meditation on the word of God.

The responsorial Psalm should correspond to each reading and should, as a rule, be taken from the Lectionary.

It is preferable that the responsorial Psalm be sung, at least as far as the people’s response is concerned. Hence, the psalmist, or the cantor of the Psalm, sings the verses of the Psalm from the ambo or another suitable place. The entire congregation remains seated and listens but, as a rule, takes part by singing the response, except when the Psalm is sung straight through without a response. In order, however, that the people may be able to sing the Psalm response more readily, texts of some responses and Psalms have been chosen for the various seasons of the year or for the various categories of Saints. These may be used in place of the text corresponding to the reading whenever the Psalm is sung. If the Psalm cannot be sung, then it should be recited in such a way that it is particularly suited to fostering meditation on the word of God.

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.

But, these have to match the official texts. Unfortunately, some compositions like Mary Frances Reza’s Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord responsorial psalm take liberties and omit the pronoun “he” at will when referring directly to God. But, that is an OCP issue since she is one of their stable writers.

 

[John_Lilburne]

Generally I agree. There is a translation which is approved by the Conference of Bishops and the Vatican. That is what should be used. Why have a process for an approved translation if there can be any translation?

But a difficulty arises from the Directory for Masses With Children:
"46. Verses of psalms, carefully selected in accord with the understanding of children, or a song in the form of psalmody or the Alleluia with a simple verse should be sung between the readings. The children should always have a part in this singing, but sometimes a reflective silence may be substituted for the singing.
“If only a single reading is chosen, the singing may follow the homily.”

This seems to allow almost anything. Silence instead of a psalm. What is “a song in the form of psalmody”? A “simple verse” can be created.

 

[benedictgal]

Generally I agree. There is a translation which is approved by the Conference of Bishops and the Vatican. That is what should be used. Why have a process for an approved translation if there can be any translation?

But a difficulty arises from the Directory for Masses With Children:
"46. Verses of psalms, carefully selected in accord with the understanding of children, or a song in the form of psalmody or the Alleluia with a simple verse should be sung between the readings. The children should always have a part in this singing, but sometimes a reflective silence may be substituted for the singing.
“If only a single reading is chosen, the singing may follow the homily.”

This seems to allow almost anything. Silence instead of a psalm. What is “a song in the form of psalmody”? A “simple verse” can be created.

But, John, the big catch in the Directory for Masses with Children is that it only applies if a strong majority of the faithful are children. In other words, most of the folks there should be children, with a scant number of adults. Thus, this provision is certainly not applicable to your average Sunday Mass.

The upshot, though, is that Rome is now re-examining the directory, at least from the discussions that I have heard. Maybe there will be some purging done.

 

[Don9of11]

I sing the Responsorial Psalms at our church. We have on some occasions moved the words to better fit the meter of the music. We are singing from the Psalms and Ritual Music year B.

As an example for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, # B70, the first verse, the last few words “upon the name of the Lord” we scooted “of the” over one note which made it flow a better, and easier to sing.

On # B82, 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time, the first verse and the last few lines “and his wonders in the abyss” we used “thee abyss” which also flows better and make more sense.

Sometimes the syllables don’t match the music correctly, there actually dumb sometimes. But we are very careful not to change words, although “the” and “thee” constitute a change.

 

[rskempf]

What is motivating this person to change the words?

When anyone takes it upon themselves to change the words of the mass, you can be sure, they are not aligned with the magisterium of the Church. If they are not aligned, then they are against the church!

Whether this was done for what appear to be good reasons or not, changing the words is a form of disobedience. What did Jesus say about obedience?

 

[pnewton]

FYI - I do not use the words from the missalette. Too often they use repeated phrases. I prefer to get the Psalm off the internet (USCCB readings) and set it to music myself. Some are better than others, but at least I always have the words right. This last week I took the unusual step ofa actually using the music from the missalette.

 

[benedictgal]

FYI - I do not use the words from the missalette. Too often they use repeated phrases. I prefer to get the Psalm off the internet (USCCB readings) and set it to music myself. Some are better than others, but at least I always have the words right. This last week I took the unusual step ofa actually using the music from the missalette.

When I was living in Austin, our organist used to write settings for the responsorial psalms. He was faithful to the text. When I have had to plan Masses, I have used his settings (which he gave me permission to do). We also have used the settings from the Worship III hymnal, which manage to remain faithful to the text. The ones in Spanish are not very good, though. About the only one who remains faithful to the text in Spanish is Manuel Garcia.