Psalms:

What are the Psalms? The following is a very brief summary condensed from the rich vein of literature 8 Tones of the Psalm 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.

Psalm13-6 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 2^ndVatican 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 who will intone it.

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 ).

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.

Taken in the main from The Complete Psalter © - Years A,B & C. McCrimmons revised 2000 reprint.