Eucharistic Lectionary Psalms for 
Sundays and Major Holy Days (Prayer Book Lectionary)

In 1971, soon after the introduction of Services for Trial Use and the three-year Eucharistic Lectionary, James McGregor began arranging psalms in responsorial style for use at Grace Church. These psalms have served the parish well for many years, and we publish them here with the hope that other congregations will find them useful.

 

Most of the refrains are based upon Gregorian office antiphons or centonized from the melodic stock out of which the office antiphons were composed.  A few are original compositions (modal and in prose rhythm).

 

The psalm verses are fully notated.  

  

The psalms are © Copyright by James McGregor; but he authorizes local churches to reproduce them for their own use.

 

 

* INDEX TO PSALMS AND REFRAINS

 

 

Singing the Psalm Verses

 

The following suggestions offered by Winfred Douglas in the introduction to The Plainsong Psalter (1932) are still worth heeding:

The Intonation is sung ... at the same pace as the Recitation.

 

The Recitation is neither faster nor slower than any other part of the Chant.  It is joined to the Cadence without any rhythmical break...

 

All phrases should close with a slight diminuendo; this should be more marked when the final syllable is weak.

 

All of the words are to be read distinctly, deliberately, smoothly, and naturally; but also evenly, not hurrying little syllables; nor delaying heavy ones, unless two accented syllables occur together, in which case the first is naturally lengthened.

Singers must not, however, protract such syllables more than they would be protracted in normal speech. 

 

The quarter bar is used in recitations to indicate pauses for breath.

 

 

 

Accompaniment

In some places it will be found necessary to accompany these psalms.  We cannot provide accompaniments, but we recommend that organists who wish to learn how to devise their own accompaniments consult: J. H. Arnold, Plainsong Accompaniment (London: Oxford University Press, 1927).  Photocopies of this work are available from University Microfilms International.

 

 

 

 

Links to the Psalms

 

Year A

 

* First Sunday of Advent (Year A)

* Second Sunday of Advent (Year A)

* Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)

* Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year A)

* Christmas Midnight (Years A, B, and C)

* Christmas Day (Years A, B, and C)

* First Sunday After Christmas (Years A, B, and C)

* Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Years A, B, and C)

* Epiphany (Years A, B, and C)

* Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Years A, B, and C)

* Second Sunday After Epiphany (Year A)

* Third Sunday After Epiphany

* Fourth Sunday After Epiphany (Year A)

* Fifth Sunday After Epiphany (Year A)

* Last Sunday After Epiphany (Years A and C)

* Ash Wednesday (Years A, B, and C)

* First Sunday in Lent (Year A)

* Second Sunday in Lent (Year A)

* Third Sunday in Lent (Year A)

* Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year A)

* Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year A)

* Palm Sunday (Years A, B, and C)

* Maundy Thursday (Years A, B, and C)

* Good Friday (Years A, B, and C)

* Easter Vigil (Year A, B, and C)

* Easter Day (Years A, B, and C)

* Second Sunday of Easter (Years A, B, and C)

* Third Sunday of Easter (Year A)

* Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A)

* Fifth Sunday of Easter (Years A and B)

* Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year A)

* Ascension Day and Seventh Sunday of Easter (Years A, B, and C): Psalm 110

* Ascension Day and Seventh Sunday of Easter (Years A, B, and C): Psalm 47

* Day of Pentecost (Years A, B, and C)

* Day of Pentecost (Years A, B, and C): Psalm 104--Spanish language

* Trinity Sunday (Years A, B, and C)

* Corpus Christi (Year A, Roman Lectionary)

* Proper 5, Sunday Closest to June 8 (Year A)

* Proper 6, Sunday Closest to June 15 (Year A)

* Proper 7, Sunday Closest to June 22 (Year A)

* Proper 8, Sunday Closest to June 29 (Year A)

* Proper 9, Sunday Closest to July 6 (Year A)

* Proper 10, Sunday Closest to July 13 (Year A)

* Proper 11, Sunday Closest to July 20 (Year A)

* Proper 12, Sunday Closest to July 27 (Year A)

* Proper 13, Sunday Closest to August 3 (Years A & B)

* Proper 14, Sunday Closest to August 10 (Year A)

* Proper 15, Sunday Closest to August 17 (Year A)

* Proper 16, Sunday Closest to August 24 (Year A)

* Proper 17, Sunday Closest to August 31 (Year A)

* Proper 18, Sunday Closest to September 7 (Year A)

* Proper 19, Sunday Closest to September 14 (Year A)

* Proper 20, Sunday Closest to September 21 (Year A)

* Proper 21, Sunday Closest to September 28 (Year A)

* Proper 23, Sunday Closest to October 12 (Year A)

* Proper 24, Sunday Closest to October 19 (Year A)

* Proper 25, Sunday Closest to October 26 (Year A)

* Proper 26, Sunday Closest to November 2 (Year A)

* All Saints' Day

* Proper 28, Sunday Closest to November 16 (Year A)

* Christ the King (Proper 29), Sunday Closest to November 23 (Year A)

* St. Andrew's Day

 

 

Year B

 

* First Sunday of Advent (Year B)

* Second Sunday of Advent (Year B)

* Third Sunday of Advent (Year B)

* Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year B)

* Christmas Midnight (Years A, B, and C)

* Christmas Day (Years A, B, and C)

* First Sunday After Christmas (Years A, B, and C)

* Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Years A, B, and C)

* Epiphany (Years A, B, and C)

* Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Years A, B, and C)

* Second Sunday After Epiphany (Year B)

* Third Sunday After Epiphany (Year B)

* Fourth Sunday After Epiphany (Year B)

* Fifth Sunday After Epiphany (Year B)

* Sixth Sunday After Epiphany (Year B)

* Seventh Sunday After Epiphany

* Last Sunday After Epiphany (Year B)

* First Sunday in Lent (Year B)

* Second Sunday in Lent (Year B)

* Third Sunday in Lent (Year B)

* Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year B)

* Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year B)

* Palm Sunday (Years A, B, and C)

* Maundy Thursday (Years A, B, and C)

* Good Friday (Years A, B, and C)

* Easter Vigil (Year A, B, and C)

* Easter Day (Years A, B, and C)

* Second Sunday of Easter (Years A, B, and C)

* Third Sunday of Easter (Year B)

* Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

* Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

* Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

* Ascension Day (Year B)

* Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year B)

* Day of Pentecost (Years, A, B, and C)

* Trinity Sunday (Year B)—Canticle 13

* Trinity Sunday (Year B)—Psalm 93

* Corpus Christi (Year B, Roman Lectionary)

* Proper 7, Sunday Closest to June 22 (Year B)

* Proper 8, Sunday Closest to June 29 (Year B)

* St. Peter & St. Paul, June 29

* Proper 9, Sunday Closest to July 6 (Year B)

* Proper 10, Sunday Closest to July 13 (Year B)

* Proper 11, Sunday Closest to July 20 (Year B)

* Proper 12, Sunday Closest to July 27 (Year B)

* Proper 13, Sunday Closest to August 3 (Years A & B)

* Transfiguration (August 6)

* Proper 14, Sunday Closest to August 10 (Year B)

* Proper 15, Sunday Closest to August 17 (Year B)

* Proper 16, Sunday Closest to August 24 (Year B)

* Proper 17, Sunday Closest to August 31 (Year B)

* Proper 18, Sunday Closest to September 7 (Year B)

* Proper 19, Sunday Closest to September 14 (Year B)

* Holy Cross Day, September 14

* Proper 20, Sunday Closest to September 21 (Year B)

* Proper 21, Sunday Closest to September 28 (Year B)

* Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church

* Proper 22, Sunday Closest to October 5 (Year B)

* Proper 23, Sunday Closest to October 12 (Year B)

* Proper 24, Sunday Closest to October 19 (Year B)

* Proper 25, Sunday Closest to October 26 (Year B)

* All Saints' Day

* Proper 27, Sunday Closest to November 9 (Year B)

* Proper 28, Sunday Closest to November 16 (Year B)

* Christ the King (Proper 29), Sunday Closest to November 23 (Year B)

* St. Andrew's Day

 

Year C

 

* First Sunday of Advent (Year C)

* Second Sunday of Advent (Year C)

* Third Sunday of Advent  (Year C)

* Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C)

* Christmas Midnight (Years A, B, and C)

* Christmas Day (Years A, B, and C)

* First Sunday After Christmas (Years A, B, and C)

* Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Years A, B, and C)

* Epiphany (Years A, B, and C)

* Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Years A, B, and C)

* Second Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)

* Third Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)

* Fifth Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)

* Sixth Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)

* Last Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)

* Ash Wednesday (Years A, B, and C)

* First Sunday in Lent (Year C)

* Second Sunday in Lent (Year C)

* Third Sunday in Lent (Year C)

* Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year C)*

* Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year C)

* Palm Sunday (Years A, B, and C)

* Maundy Thursday (Years A, B, and C)

* Good Friday (YearsA, B, and C)

* Easter Vigil (Years A, B, and C)

* Easter Day (Years A, B, and C)

* Second Sunday of Easter (Years A, B, and C)

* Third Sunday of Easter (Year C)

* Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year C)

* Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year C)

* Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year C)

* Ascension Day (Years A, B, and C)

* Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year C)

* Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year C)

* Pentecost (Years A, B, and C)

* Trinity Sunday (Years A, B, and C)

* Corpus Christi (Year C)

* Proper 6, Sunday Closest to June 15 (Year C)

* Proper 7, Sunday Closest to June 22 (Year C)

* Proper 8, Sunday Closest to June 29 (Year C)

* Proper 9, Sunday Closest to July 6 (Year C)

* Proper 10, Sunday Closest to July 13 (Year C)

* Proper 11, Sunday Closest to July 20 (Year C)

* Proper 12, Sunday Closest to July 27 (Year C)

* Proper 13, Sunday Closest to August 3 (Year C)

* Proper 14, Sunday Closest to August 10 (Year C)

* Proper 15, Sunday Closest to August 17 (Year C)

* St Mary the Virgin, August 15 (Years A, B, and C)

* Proper 16, Sunday Closest to August 24 (Year C)

* Proper 17, Sunday Closest to August 31 (Year C)

* Proper 18, Sunday Closest to September 7 (Year C)

* Proper 19, Sunday Closest to September 14 (Year C)

* Proper 20, Sunday Closest to September 21 (Year C)

* Proper 21, Sunday Closest to September 28 (Year C)

* Proper 22, Sunday Closest to October 5 (Year C)

* Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church

* Proper 23, Sunday Closest to October 12 (Year C)

* Proper 24, Sunday Closest to October 19 (Year C)

* Proper 25, Sunday Closest to October 26 (Year C)

* Proper 26, Sunday Closest to November 2 (Year C)

* All Saints' Day

* Proper 27, Sunday Closest to November 9 (Year C)

* Proper 28, Sunday Closest to November 16 (Year C)

* Christ the King (Proper 29), Sunday Closest to November 23 (Year C)

* St. Andrew's Day