How to sing the responsorial psalm.

WHEN THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM IS SUNG

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fter the second reading has been read, It is now the psalmist’s or cantor’s role to come to the ambo and lead the responsorial Psalm.

However, he/she will go to the ambo only when a silence of three good breaths has passed following the conclusion to the First Reading.

If the Psalm is led from a place other than at the ambo, e.g. by the entire choir, still remove yourself to the side. This will avoid the impression of ventriloquism.

Do not initiate the Psalm by saying: “responsorial Psalm” or “the response to the Psalm is” or both.

Instead, announce the text of the refrain directly; e.g.: ‘Praise the Lord who heals the broken-hearted’. Wait on the assembly to repeat this refrain, then sing the lines clearly.

Join in singing the refrain each time.

Make your sung responses simple, clear, devoid of profanity. The chant form is a more acceptable way of singing the psalm, and not pop, rock, metal, or blues form. In choosing the appropriate tone for the psalm, ensure you understand deeply, the spiritual countenance of the palm. Some are of praise, some of lamentation, some complaint, some invocation, and some are in praise of wisdom or 'philosophical'. 

The voice should be calm, nice, and easy. It is not the time to be operatic, or display vocal prowess in Handelian running-notes. Remember, it is the Holy Mass, not a carol concert show.

Your tune should not be an adaptation of any secular music else it may take the people’s minds away from the sacred words to the secular music. Just imagine a cantor borrowing tunes from the music of Fela Kuti or of Rihanna, or of Shakira. The minds will definitely wander away.

WHEN THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM IS RECITED

If, regrettably, a psalmist or cantor is not available, the recitation of the responsorial Psalm will be led by you. This means that you will remain at the ambo following the First Reading.

If the text of the responsorial Psalm runs overleaf, insert a finger under that leaf, in order to make a smooth turnover, when necessary, and not disrupt the flow of your speech.

Before you begin the responsorial Psalm, allow a pause of three deep breaths to pass after the conclusion to the First Reading.

This silence ensures time for people to absorb and linger with the message of that reading before moving to respond to it, by way of the responsorial Psalm. As the assembly will get comfortable with such silence, it may be extended a short while longer.

Now, contrary to common practice, do not initiate the Psalm by saying: “responsorial Psalm” or “the response to the Psalm is” or both.

Instead, announce the text of the refrain directly; e.g.: ‘Praise the Lord who heals the broken hearted’. Wait on the assembly to repeat this refrain. Do not join in this refrain.

Next, slowly proclaim the text of the first verse. Use a meditative pace of delivery. Follow the text’s poetic rhythm. With your slow prayerful pace you wilL enable the assembly to pray the Psalm.

After this verse, engage the response of the assembly again, but only by looking to them; i.e. cease the customary practice of saying: ‘response’!

Follow the same procedure with subsequent verses.

Sometimes, in weekday liturgies, the Psalm response is a longer, somewhat unfamiliar text. Speak these refrains most distinctly and, on the rare occasion, you may need to assist the assembly by joining their second response, but importantly, only that second response.

When the recitation of the responsorial Psalm has been completed, i.e. after the final response of the assembly, it is time for the Second Reading to begin; but, importantly, it will not begin just yet!

If there is a second lector, he/she will come to the ambo instead of you. He/she wilL take his/her place there after allowing a pause of three breaths to pass.

If, however, the Psalm was sung but there is no second lector, you will return to the ambo after you have allowed a pause of three breaths to pass.

If there is no psalmist or cantor nor any second lector, then, in fact, you are at this point already in place at the ambo.