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Unfortunately, psalms may have two numbers due to differences between Hebrew and Greek translations. More details can be found here and here. Numbering on this site follows the Hebrew system rather the Greek given in the lectionary because it follows probably 99 % of references on the Internet. All Protestant bibles along with U.S. and Canadian lectionaries use this system as does the New Catholic Bible. The Hebrew number is followed by the Greek in brackets.
Psalms have been the backbone of church music for millenia, and may be sung many ways. For example, the psalm of the good shepherd, 23 (22) has three wonderful well-known versions suitable for liturgy:
In the liturgy for Mass, there are options for the responsorial psalm - e.g., the Revised Grail Psalms translation may be used instead of the original translation found in the lectionary - but that is beyond the scope of this article. What is important to note is that it is not permissible to replace the psalm with either a hymn or a paraphrase. The just mentioned hymn versions of the psalm of the good shepherd could be sung elsewhere in the Mass.
These days, there are numerous musical settings for the psalms in a wide range of styles. That featured here is chant, which might be described as sung speech. With normal songs, the singer and instrumentalist follow the music with strict times. When a cantor chants the psalm, however, the lyrics come out of the mouth with essentially the same diction as if they were being proclaimed (such as the lector does with the readings). The difference is that each phrase is sung for the most part on a reciting note and finishes with (perhaps) two inflection notes and a finalis. This final note is held on to a little longer than normal speech.
This might sound complicated, but in actual fact is much simpler than normal singing. Syllable numbers in psalm phrases are inconsistent, so, for the melody, it is not possible to make each stanzas exactly the same. Not an issue with chant!
Another consideration is that most chant composers only use a limited number of melodies (aka psalm tones). In this scenario, all penitential psalms, for example, will use the same tone. The big advantage of this is that a regular cantor, once familiar with the melodies, will find it easier to concentrate on the words and deliver them as prayer.
This site’s eight psalm tones are inspired by the traditional eight Gregorian modes as adapted by the St. Meinrad Archabbey:&bnsp; simplistically speaking, each tone helps convey a particular emotion. These, and there musical keys are:
The only complication comes with the number of phrases in each stanza (the grouped phrases between each congregational response). The majority contain four phrases, the most common structure compuser use, but when there are less, parts of the psalm tone are omitted. When there are more, there may be repetition, or phrases may be combined so that the total number is four. LiturgyShare tones contain six phrases, but the middle two are more often than not omitted.
DON'T WORRY IF THIS SOUNDS CONFUSING!!! This site sorts all this out for you! Each psalm is fully written out, with an audio recording as a demo, so you don't need to be full bottle on how everything fits together.
These psalms tones are, of course, typically only sung by the cantor. Simple melodies for the congregational responses have been written to match the psalm tone chosen for each psalm. It is also possible to match with other composer's responses, as long as the keys (and emotion) match.
I need to also point out that I am a limited singer, as are many, if not most, parish volunteer singers. Because of this, all melodies have been composed with limited range, rarely going outside of the D to C range, with phrasing (and held) notes from E flat to B.
Just a quick word on copyright. You don't need to report usage of any settings on this site. Copy, use, adapt and distribute as you wish, as long it's non-commercial and retains appropriate attribution to this site.
On the liturgical pages, I have referenced composers of alternate psalm settings suited to the Australia lectionary:
Be aware that if you use psalm settings from overseas, they will almost certainly have different translations of stanzas and response. The U.S. lectionary has a number of quite serious errors and inconsistencies, but it should be noted that Revised Grail Psalms are approved for use in Australia.
Even if no one is confident enough to take on the verses, please sing at least the response: I have yet to hear a congregation recite a psalm response in anything other than an emotionless monotone, and this really is not good. For each liturgy I have pointed you to four options on top of my own, and there are others to be found on the Internet, so there is no excuse!!!