What is it?   Like the readings, the Psalm is part of the Liturgy of the Word and the words need to be proclaimed clearly.   For the same reason it can be sung from the Ambo.   Coming after the Old Testament reading, it is also a response to God's Word - hence its title, the responsorial psalm.

Why sing it?   The Psalms were written as songs and are meant to be sung.   In fact it is rather unnatural not to sing them.  Only the Acclamations at Mass (Alleluia, Holy Holy, etc.) are more important to sing.

What should we sing?    It is not just a matter of singing something between the readings and so one should not substitute a hymn, although a hymn which is a setting of the psalm of the day may sometimes be an acceptable, if inferior alternative.   There are some general psalms which may be sung instead of the psalm of the day.   It is also permissible, occasionally, to substitute another psalm for a good reason.

Who should sing it?   The refrain or antiphon (usually called "the Response to the psalm") should be sung by the People but the verses are usually best sung by a single Cantor or Psalmist.   Sometimes, where the words of the psalm are appropriate, a group of singers can sing the verses and there are settings (eg Iona) which employ this method.   Normally the Cantor sings the Response the first time and the People repeat it.   All sing the Response after each verse.

How to lead the People   As a Cantor you should practise the psalm beforehand so that you can know it well enough to sing it with conviction and without stumbling or with your "head in the music".   Remember you are proclaiming the Word so look at the People as much as you can.   Encourage them to sing the Response by a clear gesture,  preferably with an "up-beat" or, if you think it sufficient in a small gathering, by use of your eyes and eyebrows.   However, gestures must be large enough to be seen and understood by the most distant member of the congregation.   If the response is not well known, it may be useful to indicate the shape of the melody (the rise and fall of the notes) by gestures with your hand.

How to teach the congregation   It may be advisable to teach the congregation the tune before Mass.   A pre-Mass practice, 3-4 minutes is usually enough, can include the response to the Psalm.   As Cantor you should say that you are going to run through the response with them, tell them the words and sing them the Response once or twice, asking them to repeat it after you.   If it is more than a short phrase, it may be advisable to split it in two.   After each part has been sung and repeated, the whole response can be sung through.   Indicating the rhythm and shape of the melody can help.   Do not, however, "conduct" yourself or sway from side to side!

More about being a Cantor   You are a servant of the People, communicating the Word of God to them and helping them to participate fully in the liturgy.   You can prepare for this task by increasing your knowledge of the Scripture and by prayer.   You must be able to convey your belief in what you sing.   If you can, come to music days or weekends where there are workshops for Cantors and Music Leaders which will help you and enable you to share experiences with other people.   Take pride in your music ministry.

Sources of music for the Psalm   There are a number of collections of Psalms for Sundays throughout the year, including "The Responsorial Psalter [Now superseded by "The Complete Responsorial Psalter - Ed.] (McCrimmon Publ.),  "With Heart and Voice" by Eugene Monaghan (IC), and "Psalms for the Church Year (GIA).    There is also "The Responsorial Psalm Book" (Chapman), and some settings for guitar accpt. in "Acclaim The King" (McCrimmon Publ.) [Both unfortunately out of print but keep your eyes open for a 2nd hand copy - Ed.]   Several Iona Community collections include Psalm settings, in particular Psalms of Praise, Protest and Patience (Wild Goose Publ.).   In addition there are excellent settings of individual Psalms by English and American composers in publications by theSt Thomas More Group and OCP.  

Tony