To my mind it is one of the great privileges of the liturgical musician to be offered the opportunity to support the worshipping community by finding effective ways of making that "summative phrase" memorable and meaningful.   And I have to admit that I have come around to this rather later than many.   Enough ... here is a non-exhaustive list of current publications which might help you to find Psalms.  If you can commend any to add to the list then please get in touch with us so that we can all share it.   My comments are my own and are based in the context of using these resources during the Liturgy of the Word at Sunday Mass.

1. "The Complete Responsorial Psalter"

(1997 - McCrimmons - ISBN 0 85597 585 7) - Psalms for the three-year lectionary cycle.  

Edited by Stephen Dean and a worthy successor to the Red "Responsorial Psalter" which has been out of print for some years.  As far as possible, Stephen has made this "backwards compatible" but it would be wrong to assume that it was merely the same again in a new cover.   Stephen has worked hard to make this as comprehensive as possible.   Inclusive Language translations (approved for use in England & Wales)  run alongside earlier texts as well additional and alternative settings.  This really could be your "one stop shop" and should at least be considered as a "basic reference/ resource" (Mine cost just under £10 in 2001).   The main body of the settings are based on Psalm tones - which may take guitar-based groups a little longer to get used to (Yes - guitar chords are included!) but once you have the hang of them they are very easy to learn quickly.   If you don't have a basic resource then get your Parish to lash out a tenner on a copy of this and give it a try.

2. "Psalms for all Seasons"

(1987 - NPM Publications - No ISBN given) From the ICEL Liturgical Psalter Project and published by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians in America.  

The set includes "... 23 of the most commonly used psalms in the liturgy..." and, like "The Complete Responsorial Psalter" has a "tune" for the refrain and psalm-tone for the verses.   I actually like a lot of the settings in here but there is a bit more work to do for a Sunday Mass as the settings are not directly linked to those in the Missal for a particular Sunday.   I've actually got a copy of the People's edition which cost £2.50 and has the guitar chords in it - I've spent more than that on a "Cheerful repast" at the "Temple of the Golden Arches" - if you know what I mean!

3. "Psalms of Patience, Protest and Praise"

(Wild Goose Pubs.)

My brother borrowed this from me and that was the last I've seen of it.   John L. Bell has a way of "touching hearts" with his settings and this is no exception.   Mixing traditional and modern styles in this book he demonstrates how you can capture the mood as well as the meaning of these wonderful texts.   Again, don't expect these to match up to the Missal but remember, there's nothing to stop you using an appropriate one at Communion.

4. "Music for Children's Liturgy of the Word"

(1989 - OCP - No ISBN given)

Three volumes covering the three-year cycle.   I've used some these in full-blown Masses (with grown-ups) as well as in school celebrations and they have gone down very well.   Once again there is a need to "pick & choose" - I'm not sure that you could use this as your main weekly resource at Mass but, if your Children's Liturgy co-ordinator would like some music then I would heartily recommend it - there are even tapes of the settings so that they can be learned quickly.   All are highly sing-able and the book comes with a full set of "Assembly Editions" in the back ready for that 1st Holy Communion leaflet.

That's it for now.   Next time I'll take a look at Psalms available in some of  the "Hymn books" (Hymns O&N, Celebration f E and Laudate).

Peter