After the 1st reading – Psalm 103/4 Send forth your spirit
- Send forth your spirit O Lord – Christopher Walker
This version includes all the verses for the vigil. A descant for the refrain and solo instrument parts are also included. The choral version has SATB for the refrain. From OCP.
- Send forth your spirit – Stephen Dean
With verses set for a cantor, this setting has all the verses for the vigil. Available in ‘The Great Week’, now out of print, Resurrexit and ‘Music for Holy Week and Easter’ (mccrimmons.com).
- Psalm 103 – Martin Foster
Scroll down for the setting marked as ‘more lyrical’. Your organist can have a bit of fun with the birds singing in the branches! From the composer’s website.
- Send out your spirit – Bernadette Farrell
Arranged for SATB choir plus descant, but this will work equally well with a single cantor and a guitar or even with the entire assembly singing all of it. A paraphrase rather than a direct translation. Send Out Your Spirit – Songs | OCP.
After the 1st reading alternative – Psalm 32/33 The Lord fills the earth with his love
- The lord fills the earth with his love – Anne Ward
An easy to sing setting where everyone could sing all of it if necessary. In Resurrrexit and Music for Holy Week and Easter.
- Let your mercy be on us – Marty Haugen
Not quite the correct verses for the lectionary psalm but close. Optional SATB harmony. From GIA
- The Lord fills the earth with his love – Paul Inwood
Unison plus descant. Includes chord symbols and solo instrument parts. The Lord Fills the Earth with His Love – Songs | OCP.
After the 2nd reading – Psalm 15/16 Preserve me God I take refuge in you
- Keep me safe O God – Paul Inwood
Unison with a refrain that can be sung in canon if desired. From OCP, Laudate #40, Music for Holy Week and Easter.
- Harbour of my heart – Steven Warner
Verses for a cantor and refrain scored for SATB. This would work with keyboard or guitar. From GIA.
- Preserve me God – Christopher Walker
You would probably need a cantor for these verses as verse 3 starts halfway through. In Resurrexit and Music for Holy Week and Easter
After the 3rd reading – Exodus 15 I will sing to the Lord glorious his triumph
It should be noted that the Version in the US lectionary uses quite a different translation.
- I will sing to the Lord – Stephen Dean
Probably the best setting ever, especially if you can get men to sing the verses. In Resurrexit and Music for Holy Week and Easter
- I will sing to my God – Marty Haugen
This is a paraphrase and doesn’t include all the verses anyway but if it’s a choice between sing this or don’t sing, then use it. From GIA though you will need to buy the whole book.
After the 4th reading – Psalm 29/30 I will praise you Lord, you have rescued me
- I will praise you Lord – M D Ridge
You can listen at OCP but it doesn’t seem to be available separately. It is in a collection and is in Resurrexit from Decani Music. SATB is given for the refrain while the final refrain has the melody in alto.
- I will praise you Lord –Paul Inwood
This has quite a long response but it easy for the assembly to pick up. The verses are less easy but not too difficult. From OCP.
- I will praise you Lord – Marty Haugen
Part of the lyric psalter project, this setting uses the translation from ‘Abbey psalms and canticles’ so it will be the correct text for the new lectionary in England and Wales. From GIA.
After the 5th reading – Isaiah 12 With joy you will draw water
- We shall draw water – Paul Inwood
I doubt this one needs any introduction, it is so well known in the UK. Laudate #692 and CFE #787. Also from OCP.
- You will draw water – Joseph B Sullivan
Semi-chanted verses combine with a lyric response for the assembly. From GIA.
- With joy you shall draw water – Marty Haugen
The refrain is scored for SATB while there is a single harmony line in the verses. From GIA though you need to buy the whole book.
- God our fountain of salvation – Christopher Walker
CFE #221 Laudate #459
After the 6th reading – Psalm 18/19 You have the message of eternal life, O Lord
- You Lord, have the message – Paul Inwood
- Lord, you have the words – Joncas
From OCP and in the collection ‘Every stone shall cry’.
- Your words are spirit and life – Bernadette Farrell
This song is in Laudate #980 as well as from OCP. A choral octavo is available and this song will work well with guitar or keyboard. Solo instrument is included in the accompaniment package.
After the 7th reading – Psalms 41 and 42 Like the deer that yearns for running streams
- As the deer longs – Bob Hurd
This lovely setting can be sung as an ostinato with the verses over the top or as a verse/refrain combination.
Available from OCP but also in CFE #53 and Laudate #214.
- Like a deer that longs for running streams – Kevin Keil Gael Berberick
The verses are chanted although there are metered verses, but you will need to pick the correct ones in this case. Solo instrument included and accompaniment is keyboard or guitar.
- Like a deer that longs – Barbara Bridge
Semi-chanted verses, in harmony if desired, and a refrain make this version easy to use. Music is based on ‘Sicut Servus’ by Palestrina.
- I long for you – Beth Ann Martinez
A gentle setting with verses for cantor and refrain for all. There is 3-part harmony for the refrain and also under verse 4 if desired. C instrument part is included, as are guitar chords.
After 7th reading (alternate if there is a baptism) – Psalm 50/51 A pure heart create for me O God
- Give me a new heart – Christopher Walker
This has extra verses so make sure you have the correct ones from the psalm.
Available from OCP. In the collection ‘Out of darkness’ Laudate #195 and CFE #973
- Create in me – Bob Hurd
A very simple response with lyrical verses. There is 2-part harmony and instrument parts are included.
- Create in Me – Tom Kendzia
An easy response which is extended by repetition of the words. The octavo has choir harmonies and a solo instrument is available for the refrain.
Gospel Psalm – Psalm 117/118 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
- Celtic alleluia – Fintan O’Carroll Chris Walker
This has the advantage that is extremely well-known. The verses use the usual tune.
Available from OCP and in Resurrexit.
- Easter vigil alleluia psalm 118 – Chrysogonus Waddell
This starts with the plainchant triple alleluia. It then moves into the psalm, the response of which uses an adaption the plainchant that is used in the dismissal. In any case, it is sung first by the cantor.
- Easter alleluia – arr Rory Cooney
Based on ‘O filii at filea’ so very easy to sing. However, it is not quite the correct words, even allowing for the paraphrasing. But, if this is the only psalm you sing, it is better than saying it.
Music, Liturgy and ME 
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