UNDERSTANDING THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The responsorial Psalm follows the First Reading and is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word. After hearing and taking to heart God's word, the assembly responds with words which are, themselves God-given.

The psalms in the Lectionary have been selected to help the assembly to meditate on and respond to the word that has just been proclaimed.

It is preferable that the psalms - the songs and hymns of Israel - be sung. The singing of the psalms may be done in a variety of ways. The usual form is responsorial; the psalmist or cantor sings the verses and the whole assembly takes up the response. In the direct form, which is also permitted, there is no intervening response and the cantor, or the whole assembly together, sings the verses consecutively.

The common responsorial Psalms, and responses provided in the Lectionary for various seasons and days, may be used instead of the one assigned for the day, if that choice would facilitate sung participation.

But if other ways of singing or sharing the psalms are appropriate, such as the use of a sung response with a recitation of the text, these too may be used, so that the people's participation may be facilitated by every means.

Even when it is impossible to sing the psalm, it may be possible to support and enrich its recitation with instrumental music. Psalms should always be recited in a manner conducive to meditation.