RESPONSORIAL PSALM SETTINGS for the NEW LECTIONARY
Andrew Elliott

The introduction of the new Lectionary is near.  And, although there is a three year period of grace during which we may use settings based on the 1963 Grail translation of the psalms, resources are now being released that set the new Abbey Psalms and Canticles (2020) translation used in the new Lectionary (2024) for use in the dioceses of England & Wales and Scotland.  Here, we will highlight some of those that are available.  Each publication appears to have psalm settings not only for the Sundays of the three-year cycle but also for the major solemnities and feasts.

Sing the Psalms Simply is by the Society of St Gregory’s own John Ainslie and is an update of his previous, well-received, publication.  The psalms are set in a chant style and, as the title suggests, are very easily picked up by both cantor and congregation. There are two editions: one for cantor/guitar (£11.50) and the other for cantor and keyboard (£13.95).  There is also some useful advice on how best to prepare for, sing and play the settings. More information can be found at Benedicamus.

Many parishes will be familiar with The Complete Responsorial Psalter from McCrimmons. The Revised Responsorial Psalter can now be ordered (£16.95). The editors of the new edition, Paul Inwood and Martin Barry, have tried to preserve as much as possible of the earlier edition, building on Stephen Dean’s excellent work by adapting the existing psalm responses to the new text, in the style of the original composers.  Where this has not been possible, new responses have been composed to fit the new words.  Anyone who has been a regular user of the original volume will probably want take a look at this new edition. More information can be found at McCrimmons.

Christopher Walker, a major contributor to liturgical music for many decades and well-known to many in SSG, has also produced a new edition of psalm settings for the new Lectionary which may be found in The Clifton Psalm Book (£14.99). This collection is for Year C – starting this coming Advent – and incudes some accessible choir parts. More information and some sample recordings can be found at Decani Music.

Another resource for sung responsorial psalms for the new Lectionary is the St Norbert Psalter by Wilfrid Jones of Our Lady of Sorrows, Peckham.  Settings from Advent through to the Baptism of the Lord are now available. These psalm settings can be sung by solo cantor or in four parts, accompanied or unaccompanied.  Other resources available include Gospel Acclamations that always follow the melody of the psalm response closely, giving weekly variety without taxing congregations, and affording continuity across the Liturgy of the Word. These settings can be freely downloaded with the option to donate to support this work. More information can be found at The St Norbet Psalter.

Several composers have come together to create Music for Liturgy Online, an online shop offering psalm settings for the new Lectionary in a variety of styles.  Here you will find music from John Ainslie, Nick Baty, Teresa Brown, Philip Jakob, Chris Olding and Alan Smith. This is not a new publisher but a group of small imprints who have come together to make settings of the psalms available for instant download.  The site is live and more settings will be added. This is an ideal resource to sample different styles of psalm settings by a range of composers. More information can be found at Music for Liturgy Online. Each psalm setting is priced.

Publication of the psalm settings by Matthew Ward, Psalms for All Seasons, by the Catholic Truth Society, publishers of the new Lectionary, has been delayed.  Therefore, CTS has made the settings for Advent and Christmas available for free download.  One innovation in these psalm settings is that each season – Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time – has distinct and contrasting melodies.  This should make the learning of these melodies easier.  It will also help create a unity within each liturgical season, in a similar way that liturgical colours do.  As a bonus, CTS has set up a YouTube channel where you can listen to recordings of these psalms.  More information can be found at CTS.

We would be pleased to know of any other sources of psalm settings for the new Lectionary. Please use the comments section below.