Singing vs. Speaking the Psalms

Why do we sing the psalms in Mass? In this episode, Fr. Josh explains why the psalms are most commonly sung and how singing can actually benefit our prayer. He also dives into the life of the author of the psalms: King David.

Snippet from the Show
“Have mercy on me God in your kindness and blot out my offense.” Psalm 51


Shownotes

Glory Story (1:35)

Listener Question (4:32)

Why do we sing instead of read the Psalms during Mass? While listening to Fr. Mike Schmitz read Psalms in the Bible in a Year, I’ve learned to really enjoy these verses.  Some are very beautiful poetry.  After decades of listening to the Psalms be sung each week, I had stopped paying attention and just wanted to get to the second reading.  Singing the Psalms had almost nullified these wonderful scriptures in my life.  Singing — or ‘chanting’ — can often put the emPHAsis on the wrong sylLAble making it hard to understand.

-Anonymous

Saint Story: King David (12:43)

Resources

Meet Fr. Josh Johnson

While Fr. Josh was raised Catholic, he didn’t like the Church growing up. Then, one day in adoration, he fell in love with Jesus and received the call to become a priest.

Now, Fr. Josh is the Vocations Director of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in Louisiana. He is a presenter in four of Ascension’s programs: Altaration, YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body, The 99, and Connected: Catholic Social Teaching for This Generation, as well as the author of Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation, Pocket Guide to Adoration, and co-author of Pocket Guide to Reconciliation.

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