The Psalms are an ancient form of poetic music. The emotions expressed range from rage, anger, joy, comfort, peace, and love. We often hear Psalms recited and as suc they are also considered a reading as well as a tune. Please read through these texts and select one if you wish for the funeral liturgy. The responsorial psalm will be sung by the cantor.
A. Psalm 23:1 – 3, 4, 5, 6
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
in verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my heads with oil;
my cup overflows.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only good ness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
B. Psalm 25:6 and 7b, 17-18, 20-21
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Relieve the troubles of my heart;
and bring me out of my distress.
Put an end to my affliction and my suffering;
and take away all my sins.
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Preserve my life and rescue me;
let me know be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
because I wait for you, O LORD.
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
C. Psalm 27:1, 4, 7 and 8b and 9a, 13 – 14
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Hear, O LORD, the sounds of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
hide not your face from me.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
D. Psalm 42:2, 3, 5cdef; 43:3, 4, 5
My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?
I went with the throng and led them in procession
to the house of God. Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving, with the multitude keeping festival.
My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?
Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling-place.
My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!
My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?
Why are you so downcast, O my soul?
Why do you sigh within me?
Hope in God! For I shall again ne thanking him,
in the presence of my savior and my God.
My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?
E. Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you me flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched lifeless and without water.
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
For your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me.
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
F. Psalm 103:8 and 10, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18
The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger, and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
The Lord is kind and merciful.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
For he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
The Lord is kind and merciful.
Man’s days are like those of grass;
like a flower of the field he blooms;
The wind sweeps over him and he is gone;
and his place knows him no more.
The Lord is kind and merciful.
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children’s children
among those who keep his covenant
and remember to fulfill his precepts.
The Lord is kind and merciful.
G. Psalm 116:5, 6, 10-11, 15-16ac
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
Gracious is the LORD and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
The LORD keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
I believed, even when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
I said in my alarm,
“No may is dependable.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
O Lord, I am your servant,
you have loosed my bonds.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
H. Psalm 122:1-2, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
To it the tribes go up,
The tribes of the LORD.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgement seats,
seats for the house of David.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my relatives and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Because of the house of the LORD our God,
I will pray for your good.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I. Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6ab, 6c-77, 8
Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.
Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered.
Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than the sentinels wait for the dawn.
Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.
More than the sentinels wait for the dawn,
let Israel wait for the LORD,
For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption.
Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.
Out of the depths, I cry to you, Lord.
J. Psalm 143:1-2, 5-6, 7ab, 8ab, 10
O Lord, hear my prayer.
O LORD, hear my prayer;
hearken to my pleading in your faithfulness;
in your justice answer me.
And enter not into judgement with your servant,
for before you no living man is just.
O Lord, hear my prayer.
I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all your doings;
the works of your hands I ponder.
I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like parched land.
O Lord, hear my prayer.
Hasten to answer me, O LORD;
for my spirit fails me.
At dawn let me hear of your mercy,
for in you I trust.
O Lord, hear my prayer.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your good spirit guide me
on level ground.
O Lord, hear my prayer.