Singing the Psalms

To help the children experience the link between the psalms in the Bible and what we do in the Liturgy of the Word in the Responsorial Psalm

By comparing a familiar song to a psalm in Scripture and then singing it in the style of a Responsorial Psalm, the children will see the link between the psalms in the Bible and what we do in the Liturgy of the Word.

• Finding God, Grade 6, CD 2, Track 3: "Lord, You Have the Words"
• Bibles
• Copies of the song:

Refrain: Lord, you have the words of everlasting life. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

Verse 1: The Law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the Lord's rule is to be trusted, the simple find wisdom.

Verse 2: The fear of the Lord is holy, abiding forever; the decrees of the Lord are true, all of them just.

Verse 3: The precepts of the Lord are right,? the gladden the heart, the command of the Lord is clear, giving light to the eye.

Verse 4: The are worth more than gold, than the finest gold, sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

• Begin by handing out copies of lyrics to the song, "Lord, You Have the Words." Remind them that they sang this song during their last session.
• Explain that many songs that we sing at Mass are based on passages from the Bible. This is especially true of the Responsorial Psalm.
• Ask them to find Psalm 19:8-11 in their Bibles, and working with a partner, compare the verses of this song to the verses of Psalm 19. The children should quickly see that:

Psalm 19:8 corresponds to the 1st verse of the song;
Psalm 19:9 corresponds to the 3rd verse of the song;
Psalm 19:10 corresponds to the 2nd verse of the song;
Psalm 19:11 corresponds to the 4th verse of the song.

• Ask for volunteers to sing the verses of the song, while the rest of the group sings the refrain. Explain that this is singing the psalm in a responsorial style?alternating between a cantor (one or more persons) and a larger group.
• Prayerfully sing the song as a Responsorial Psalm.

Be sure that the children are familiar with the song before you do the activity.

Some children are shy or uncomfortable about singing with others; respect this, but encourage all to sing as well as they can. Remind them that their voices are also God's gift to them.