• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

We’re a 501(c)3 public charity established in 2006. We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and run no advertisements. We exist solely by the generosity of small donors.

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • Ordinary Form Feasts (Sainte-Marie)
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

Psalms, Psalmody, Psalmists, Psalm Singing

Dr. Gregory Hamilton · March 10, 2020

Detail from the Poissy Processional, Fitzwilliam Mus. MS McClean 63, folio 131

URLEY one of the greatest treasures that the church has been given is the “Hymnbook of the Church”; the book of Psalms. The Psalms in the bible depict every mood and emotional state, from fear, utter dejection to ecstatic praise of Yahweh. But every one of the psalms are written with I and Thou in mind. None are an empty soliloquy with no one there. No matter how dejected the mood, God is always there, and even though the psalmist may not be hearing the voice of God, through faith he believes that Yahweh is there. This is one of the messages of the psalms.

We would do well to remember that the early Christians took the synagogue service and adopted it to meet the new faith. The core of the Jewish liturgy was the cantillation of the Psalter. This is one of the greatest gifts that our Jewish Brethren have given us. Some of you may not know, but in seminaries and houses of religious, the 150 psalms are still recited or sung every month.

…And we should make another point. ALL of the psalms were created as SUNG MUSIC. The idea of a ‘recited psalm’ is an oxymoron.

If we were to think about some of the ways that during Mass we use psalmody, in particular the form in the Novus Ordo, the responsorial psalm is one we deal with at every Mass. This form of the psalm, though similar, replaces the “Gradual” in the old rite. This was called the “gradual” because the psalmist sung it while standing on the steps leading to the altar, it was sort of half way up to the altar.

Unfortunately in our day, the responsorial psalm has been subjected to some of the most “colorful” experiments. We all have witnessed the phenomenon of the “helicopter cantor” and the psalmist who takes his or her musical style from the bar down the street. (not that I have anything against bars per se…)

The GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) has this succinct bit concerning cantors/psalmists:

102. It is the psalmist’s place to sing the Psalm or other biblical canticle to be found between the readings. To carry out this function correctly, it is necessary for the psalmist to be accomplished in the art of singing Psalms and have a facility in correct pronunciation and diction.

…nuff said!

The GIRM also mentions that the ‘usual’ form of the psalm between the readings, is not the only way that the psalm may be presented: The psalm may be sung straight though, or metrical versions of the psalm may be used as well – for example, the rich tradition of Anglican Psalmody would be possible. Also, (an opinion) if the verses are normally sung by a cantor or choir, why can’t some of our fine composers compose some polyphony for the verses? there is nothing rubrically against this. The use of psalm tones are laudable, but not the only way. And, it should be said, one of the greatest losses in the reformation of the liturgy is the Gradual, and also the Gregorian Alleluia, with it’s “Jubilus” (extended melismatic Alleluias).

However, if we were to think about what might be some virtues of musically good responsorial psalmody, we might come up with the following:

1. Must be easily singable. If you are going to sing a responsorial psalm for the faithful rather than the Gregorian Gradual, surely the response should be singable by the people.

2. It is helpful that they are learnable by amateur cantors. Few of us in the church have the luxury of professional cantors/soloists. Therefore, the people we work with vary in talent and ability. A misconception must be corrected: There is nothing wrong with simple music, but there is no excuse for poor quality music.

3. They must be beautiful—they must have appeal as good MUSIC, not just “something that will work”.

4. The should be composed with good harmony.

It JUST so happens, that there is a great body of psalmody on this very site! – I recommend the Chabanel Psalms, which meet all these requirements most admirably!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: March 11, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Dr. Gregory Hamilton

Dr. Gregory Hamilton is a composer and performer currently on the faculty of Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas TX.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!
    A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Booklet of Eucharistic Hymns” (16 pages)
    I was asked to create a booklet for my parish to use during our CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION on 22 June 2025. Would you be willing to look over the DRAFT BOOKLET (16 pages) I came up with? I tried to include a variety of hymns: some have a refrain; some are in major, others in minor; some are metered, others are plainsong; some are in Spanish, some are in Latin, but most are in English. Normally, we’d use the Brébeuf Hymnal—but we can’t risk having our congregation carry those heavy books all over the city to various churches.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Latin has been the language of the Latin liturgy for 1,600 years. It is a sign and source of unity as well as a defense of doctrine, not because of the language so much, but because it is a language no longer subject to changes. There are so many beautiful texts which can never have the same effectiveness in translation. Lastly, Latin is bound to an extremely precious heritage of melody, Gregorian chant and polyphony.”

— Cardinal Antonelli (Secretary of the Conciliar Commission on the Liturgy)

Recent Posts

  • Hidden Gem: Ascendit Deus (Dalitz)
  • PDF Download • Soprano Descant — “Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above”
  • “Dom Jausions had a skilled hand. His transcriptions are masterpieces of neatness & precision.”
  • Pope Leo XIV pays tribute to Palestrina
  • PDF Download • Palestrina’s “Ave Maria”

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.

The election of Pope Leo XIV has been exciting, and we’re filled with hope for our apostolate’s future!

But we’re under pressure to transfer our website to a “subscription model.”

We don’t want to do that. We believe our website should remain free to all.

Our president has written the following letter:

President’s Message (dated 30 May 2025)

Are you able to support us?

clock.png

Time's up