As I have said before, in order to facilitate the singing of the responsorial psalm, the Church makes available common psalms and common responses that may take the place of the psalm of the day.
The Lectionary gives psalm 97(98) as the common psalm for the Christmas season. This is the actual psalm for the ‘Mass during the day’ on Christmas Day. It is probably the psalm that most people are used to hearing on Christmas morning. In many ways it is very similar to psalm 95(96) that is used for ‘Mass during the night’ (“Midnight” Mass) but they are not the same.
Psalm 97(98) can be used throughout the Christmas season, though the feast of the Epiphany has its own psalm 72(73).
What better time of year (apart from Easter, of course) could there be to sing the psalm? And the common psalm makes it easier to manage.
Here are several settings of the common psalm for the Christmas season that you may wish to look at and, hopefully, use. They are listed alphabetically by composer surname.
All the ends of the earth – Barbara Bridge
A chant setting of the verses, so easy for a cantor. The response is based on a familiar carol so it won’t sound so alien to those who are not used to singing the psalm.
All the ends of the earth – Bob Dufford
In some ways, I hesitate to recommend this setting. In the first place, it is very much a paraphrase and, in the second, it is probably better suited to use elsewhere in a Mass. But if it is the only setting your congregation know then use it rather than have the psalm said.
Psalm 97(98) – Martin Foster
Available as a free download from the composer’s website. This is a chant setting with a very singable response. The keyboard accompaniment leads the congregation easily back to the response to make it more obvious they are going to sing. As you may have more people than usual who are unused to singing the psalm this can be very helpful.
All the ends of the earth – Bob Hurd
This version has verses for all the occasions that this psalm appears during the cycle of readings. It has four-part harmony for the refrain while the verses are more chant-like at the start though they do become more melodic. Harmony is for keyboard or guitar and further instrument parts are available.
All the ends of the earth – Bob Hurd
A second setting by Bob Hurd. Quite a good substitution for the better-known version by Haugen/Haas. It has two-part harmony and instrument parts included. Will work well with a strong guitar.
All the ends of the earth – Francis Patrick O’Brien
The melody line of this setting is fairly straightforward. Interest is added with the accompaniment. There is also choir harmony, including descant for the refrain, if desired. The octavo includes parts for handbells, flute and B flat trumpet.
Rejoice today this Christmas Morn – Christopher Walker
This setting is based on the ‘Sussex Carol’ and will, therefore, sound very familiar to people. It is extremely useful in that it not only has response and verses for psalm 97(98) but also for the psalms for the feasts of the Holy Family and the Epiphany.
Available in Veni Emmanuel from Decani Music.
All the ends of the earth have seen – Steven Warner
Quite refreshing to have a setting in 2/4. This is one a congregation could sing after the cantor with no problem. The verses have a good melody and the refrain has harmony for the men which gives it an added boost.
Available from GIA. Further parts are to be found in the book ‘Psalms of the Notre Dame folk choir’.
All the ends of the earth – Andrew Wright
This lyrical setting can be found in Veni Emmanuel, published by Decani Music. It has a vocal or instrumental descant for the refrain.
Music, Liturgy and ME 