Responsorial Psalm

Liturgical Notes on Responsorial Psalm

The Responsorial Psalm 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. Therefore, IT CANNOT BE REPLACED BY A SONG even if it is liturgical in nature.
The Responsorial Psalm, by its very nature, is sung and is proclaimed at the ambo BY A COMMISSIONED PSALMIST.
In the absence of a psalmist, the CHOIR CAN LEAD THE SINGING of the response, while a commissioned lector reads the verses.
The tune or melody of the Responsorial Psalm to be used is the responsibility of the psalmist. It may be accompanied or done a capella.
If accompanied, an instrumentalist or organist MAY ASSIST but should follow the psalmist’s lead in timing and in phrasing.
The musical form of the Responsorial Psalm is AA-B-A-B…AA, whereas A = Response which is sung first by the psalmist and repeated by the faithful; B = Verses which are sung through chanting only by a commissioned psalmist.
The melody of the Responsorial Psalm MUST BE SIMPLE. The response can be metered melody so that it can be easily sung by the faithful, while the verses can be a PLAIN CHANT or unmetered melody so that the words can be audibly enunciated.
The vocal range of the faithful should be considered at all times in determining the key of the music of the Responsorial Psalm. Normal range – lower A to middle A.