Psalms:
What are the Psalms? The following is a very brief summary condensed from the rich vein of literature found on-line and from CTS publications. For more information see the following, which you may find helpful. Please click on link here.
The Psalter: This covers the whole collection of Psalms, Year A, B and C settings.
Responsorial Psalm: This is a psalm, one verse of which is used as an introduction and refrain. The congregation join in on the refrain after the cantor has intoned the refrain, with other verses interspersed (usually sung by a cantor).
The Psalms are a collection of about 150 songs, prayers, poems and hymns gathered over a considerable period of time. There are many different types of psalms, these can reflect stories, while others are songs of praise and some are prayers of repentance.
While each psalm has its own unique character, they are all deeply emotional and profoundly spiritual. They encompass and express the whole range of human emotions from sorrow, joy, lamentation and depression to praise and celebration.
The Psalms are divided into five books: 1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106 and 107-150. The ancient Israelites prayed the Psalms in the tabernacle and then in the Temple from the time of David down to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. Since then the Jewish people have continued to pray the Psalms. The earliest Christians also prayed the Psalms (see Eph 5:19; Col 3:16) and the Psalms were incorporated into the liturgy of the Mass.
The 2nd Vatican Council set into motion the renewal of the Responsorial Psalm. The mass is divided into two parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The psalm response can be considered as the key to the Liturgy of the Word.
Please see below the selected Psalm for the day, and the cantor. We appreciate emergencies and the unexpected happens in life, however if for any reason you cannot cantor, let us know immediately, to allow for the stand-in cantor to prepare. Use this link to CONTACT US please. Thank You.
We use, The Complete Responsorial Psalter ©. Years A, B & C. Edited by Stephen Dean. McCrimmons, Great Wakering, Essex. ISBN 085597585-7. The revised and updated edition 2000. Click on this link here (available from Decani Music), (Or please click here ). Taken in the main from The Complete Psalter © - Years A,B & C. McCrimmons revised 2000 reprint
Psalmists please check the Readers - Rota, click here, if you are also marked for reading please seek a substitute reader or psalmist well in advance, preferably on the Monday prior when we rehearse and sing hymns or use the contact us link above. Thank you.
Cycle A - The Year of Matthew |

Date | Psalm | Cantor |
Ash Wednesday - 26th February 2020 | MM or MHL Page 21 | |
1st Sunday of Lent (A) - 1st March 2020 - FAMILY MASS | Psalm 50: Have mercy on us O Lord, for we have sinned. | HC or MHL |
2nd Sunday of Lent (A) - 8th March 2020 | Psalm 32: May your love be upon us O Lord and we place all our hope in you. | TL & DQ |
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3rd Sunday of Lent (A) - 15th March 2020 | Psalm 94: O that today you would listen to his voice! harden not your hearts. | MHL page 29 2nd setting |
4th Sunday of Lent (A) - 22nd March 2020 | Psalm 22: The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. | MM |
5th Sunday of Lent (A) - 29th March 2020 | Psalm 129: With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. | TL page 27 |
Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) (A) - 5th April 2020 - FAMILY MASS | TL or DQ | |
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The Easter Triduum
Date | Psalm | Cantor |
Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper - 9th April 2020 | Psalm 115: The blessing cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ. | DQ |
Good Friday Celebration of the Lord's Passion - 10th April 2020 | Psalm 30: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. | TL |
EASTER VIGIL - 11th April 2020 | Epistle Romans 6:3-11 Psalm 117- Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia | TC |
First Reading (Genesis 1:1 - 2:2) – Reader: tbc | Psalm 103:1-2.5-6.10.12-14.24.35 R.cf.v30 - sung Cantor: BH[Laudate psltr. pg.33 top tune] Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth. | BH |
Third Reading (Exodus 14:15 - 15-1) - Reader: tbc | Psalm – Exodus 15:1-6. 17-18 R.v1 - sung Cantor: HDH [Laudate psltr. pg.35 bottom tune] I will sing to the Lord, glorious his triumph. | HDH |
Seventh Reading (Ezekiel 36:16-28) - Reader: tbc | Psalm 41:3. 5; 42:3. 4. r. 41:2 - Sung Cantor: MHL [Text © tbc ] Like the deer that yearns for running streams. | MHL |
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Psalms 104:33 - I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
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