The Psalm of Protection

The First Sunday of Lent is the only Sunday in the entire liturgical year in which the church has provided only one psalm to be used throughout the entire Mass.  All other Sundays the church gives us parts of many psalms, but not on Lent I.  This coming Sunday the church suggests Psalm 91 over and over and over and over:

·       Psalm 91 is suggested as the “Introit” chant at the Entrance (verses 15, 16)

·       Psalm 91 is suggested as the “gradual” chant following the first reading (vss 11, 12)

·       Psalm 91 is suggested as the “tract” chant following the second reading (vss 1-7, 11-16)

·       Psalm 91 is suggested as the “offertory” chant during the Presentation of Gifts (vss 4,5)

·       Psalm 91 is suggested as the “communio” chant during  communion (vss 4,5 again!)

·       Psalm 91 is even quoted by Satan in the Gospel  (vs 11)

 

Why does the Church hammer home this one Psalm on the First Sunday of Lent?  The liturgy scholar, Tom Stratman, taught that Psalm 91 was sung over and over in very ancient times to encourage the Elect who would be baptized at Easter in the fourth century. The first Sunday of their final preparation for baptism (which we now call Lent) the adults to be baptized were brought together and the gathered faithful sang the reassuring promises of Psalm 91 to strengthen them. 

And this Psalm, sometimes called the Psalm of Protection, reassures and strengthens and encourages us today.    Listen to the promises it includes: 

·       God has given the angels this charge to watch over you lest you dash your foot against a stone.

·       God will answer when you call.

·       God will conceal you with his wings, under God’s wings you will find safety.

·       God will shield you as with a soldier’s armor.

·       You will not fear the arrow that flies by day nor the plague that stalks in the dark.

·       Because you have put your hope in me I will deliver.

 

During the first Iraqi war, my son who was a U.S. Marine, called from an abandoned telephone in Iraq to let us know that he was with an advance reconnaissance team behind the lines in Iraq.   He was there because he could speak Arabic and Farsi.   Boy, did I cling to the promises of Psalm 91 over and over.  

God’s faithfulness will shield you like armor,

 you will not suffer the terrors of the night;

You shall not fear the arrow (missile!) that flies by day,

 nor the destruction that stalks in the night.

And as God answered the Psalmist so many centuries before in that very same territory, he answered my prayer and watched over my son.

 

We will not be singing Psalm 91 five times on Sunday, but we will sing it twice—as the Introit chant Dr. Paul Ford adapted and as the song Michael Joncas adapted from  Psalm 91, On eagle’s wings.

 

jbs

 

 

p.s.   Another Psalm 91 promise made good last evening at the Choir of Hope rehearsal:

I have given the angels this charge: to guide you wherever you may go

(or whatever you may sing!)

  Each section—sopranos, altos, contralti, tenors, basses—seemed guided by some part of the angel chorus to sing beautifully together.  The choral balance was quite good, the dynamic control of loud and soft was excellent, the interaction with one another was serene and calm.    It was for me one of the very best of recent rehearsals.   Thank you for letting the angels guide our Choir of Hope last night.

 

Ordo for Sunday, March 5, 7:00 pm   The First Sunday of Lent

Choir of Hope, Men’s Schola Cantorum
Psalmist  Elizabeth Hernandez
Cantors Christine Martincic, Jerome Smith, Thomas Varas, Marc Wautier, Daniel Fry
Accompanist  Thomas Varas
Leader of Song Christine Martincic
Selection of Assembly Songs  Christine Martincic. Anna Roach

Introit   When you call to the Lord, God will listen with Psalm 91 Graduale Simplex, ed Paul Ford

                                            Choir of Hope, Men’s Schola Cantorum, cantor JS

Entrance    To be announced

Penitential Act “Kyrie”  Mass of the Most Holy Trinity  Ken Canedo (See ChoirBook front pocket)

                                           TV, Cantor, Men’s Schola Cantorum

Psalm (R & A) Refrain intonation Choir of Hope, Psalmist EH

Gospel Acclamation    Mass of the Most Holy Trinity Cantor CM

Preparation of the Altar and Gifts  to be announced Psalm 91:1-5,11,12 Fr. Joncas

Sanctus   Mass of the Most Holy Trinity

Memorial Acclamation Mass of the Most Holy Trinity “Save us Savior of the world”

Amen Mass of the Most Holy Trinity  

Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) Mass of Creation Intonation Number  1. MW; number 2. CM; 3. DGF

Communio   Psalm 130 Out of the depths.   William Harris,   Schola and Choir of Hope

 Communion Procession   This hymn will be provided on Sunday at the rehearsal.   Please put it in your ChoirBook in Tab 3

“Send forth”   To be announced.   No need to mark it in advance.