The Revised Grail Psalms: A Liturgical Psalter/G7882

by The Grail Psalms

First published in 1963, the Grail Psalms were adopted worldwide for the Liturgy of the Hours and approved for general liturgical use following the Second Vatican Council; this new translation was approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on November 11, 2008, and was granted a "recognitio" by the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on April 9, 2010. The Psalms are one of the most treasured books of sacred scripture and the unique character of the Grail Psalms is that they incorporate the rhythm of the original Hebrew text and are thus easily set to music. In the wake of the 2001 document "Liturgiam authenticam," which called for more literal translations of the scriptures and liturgical texts, the monks of Conception Abbey, under the direction of Abbot Gregory Polan, OSB, undertook the work of a new translation of the Grail Psalms. During the process, they conferred with Vatican and international sources in order to create a version that would meet the requirements of "Liturgiam authenticam" and be suitable for English speakers throughout the world. "The Revised Grail Psalms," designated to be the official English-language Psalter used in future Roman Catholic liturgical books published in the United States and throughout the world, will play an important part in the Church's liturgy for years to come.

Genres: Religion, Scripture, Catholic, Spirituality, Theology, Reference, Poetry

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

The Grail Psalms refers to various editions of an English translation of the Book of Psalms, first published completely as The Psalms: A New Translation in 1963 by the Ladies of the Grail. The translation was modeled on the French La Bible de Jérusalem, according to the school of Fr. Joseph Gelineau: a simple vernacular, arranged in sprung rhythm to be suitable for liturgical song and chant. All official, Roman Catholic, English translations of the Liturgy of the Hours use the Grail Psalms.

Reviews

[Eric Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grail Psalms are a English translation of the book of Psalms structured in a rhythm suitable for liturgical song and chant. The particular work to translate the Psalms in this fashion make them extremely readable and easy to memorize. I originally encountered the Grail Psalms through praying the Liturgy of the Hours and quickly fell in love with it, finding it much easier to read than the mainstream Bible translations of the Psalms I was familiar with. The Revised Grail Psalms are a revision of the original Grail Psalms. While the original Grail Psalms were at times paraphrases of the text, the Revised Grail Psalms seeks to be a faithful translation of the original text.

The Liturgical Psalter Gift Edition is sturdy, and actually took me a bit of while to properly break in. However once broken in it is wonderful. The book fits within a coat pocket, and the font size is readable without squinting unlike many Bibles. While I know there is now a 2018 revision of this work called Abbey Psalms and Canticles, I am happy with this translation and use it frequently.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible pointed version of the Psalms for chanting. It also comes with a reference card for different series of tones. I wish each psalm had an actual chant number assigned to it.

[Michael Lachance · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a terrific examination and opportunity to pray with each psalm.

[John Rierson]

I found the psalms. Ever since the psalms have been finding me!

I began chanting the Gelineau Psalms, at first with the monks at St Meinrad, Southern Indiana. I so loved chanting the Gelineau Psalms they became my constant companion. After fifty years of casual chanting I'm going at it with all my might in my retirement, in retreat, with the Revised Grail Psalms. I love all those who love the psalms! John Rierson

[Jeff W · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nice and solid translation of the Psalms. I use them for my morning and evening prayers. No footnotes or end notes as the translation has been done for the laity and is perfectly readable.