Introduction

The genesis of these settings was the idea of congregation which had not sung the psalms at the Vigil before and might sing them antiphonally to simple psalm tones. To make this simpler the psalm tones are repeated — so the one psalm tone is used for the first two psalms etc. The exceptions are the canticle from Exodus, which demanded a distinct character as did the Alleluia Psalm after the New Testament reading. The tones may be sung unaccompanied, or SATB or accompanied.

The Responses are included, again potentially for singing SATB. The psalms could be sung in the usual way with response between verses or the response sung at beginning and end.

Finally for each psalm an optional short choral coda is provided. This is intended not only to provide a moment of interest for choirs but also as way of leading into silent reflection before the Collect.

 Psalms