Responsorial Psalm 21(22):8-9,17-20,23-24 for Palm Sunday - WORDS + CHORDS

                              Em         G                       Am Bm          Em
Response - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Em                  D       Em       Bm
All who see me deride me.
     C                       D               G                Em
They curl their lips, they toss their heads.
          Am                    D                     G           B
‘He trusted in the Lord, let him save him;
       Am                      Bm                    Em
let him release him if this is his friend.’

                              Em         G                       Am Bm          Em
Response - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Looking for a good hymn for Palm Sunday? The lyrics 'Sing hosanna to the king of kings' in this song makes it fitting for the liturgy. The spritely mood from the image of welcoming the Lord into Jerusalem adds a better element to the choice. 
 

This song called Inclusion is by Ethan Myers. It looks inward and outward through the lens of Christianity. It has compelling didactic lyrics. It is sung wth great energy and fervor. I am sure the song will resonate with many.

Ethan writes: "This song is more simple compared to others I typically write. I have held it in high regards in terms of the songs I have written—especially how the lyrics create a scene and build on each other so much."

Ethan reached out to me for a review of his song. We exchanged several emails in the past several weeks. I have suggested that he re-record the song, paying attention to his vocals which are clipping (peaking) in many areas. Some sung words are hard to understand—especially in the opening verse. The lyrics to Inclusion are below. At 8:17, I feel that the song is too long and repetitious. It would be much better cut down to 3:30 to 4:00. There are also some high-pitched wailing vocals which are a bit distracting. I suggest removing those.

I should also mention that the melody and chord progressions could be improved. But that is a whole other exploration. The song overall is not as "lifting" to the spirit as it could be, especially with the downward motion of some phrases.

Ethan would appreciate your comments on Inclusion. Sign up as free member to make a comment.

Note that I sent to Ethan the following suggestion for a rewrite of the first refrain and verse 1, in an effort to make the song more clearly understood by the listener at the outset. I'm not suggesting that Ethan change his recording. It is his handiwork. But I or another song artist might perform the song a bit differently to give it a more positive lift. Here is a very short demo I sent to Ethan to demonstrate an uplifting approach.

[Refrain]
Can you feel it all around?
Open doors, listen now.
A heartbeat from the life of Him.
Loving us in spite of our sins.

[verse 1]
When we accept another,
like a sister or a brother,
we say yes to the Saviour
who accepts you as you are.

– Richard Schletty, Top Catholic Songs editor.

Inclusion
© 2026 Ethan Myers Music

Not once gone, all around.
No closed doors, just one sound:
A heartbeat, from the life of Him.
He sees us not for our sins.

To accept a hand,
no matter how different,
is to say yes for a man
who accepts yours.

Not once gone, all around.
No closed doors, just one sound...

Feel free to use this video for when Litany of Saints will be sung during the liturgy of initiation at the Easter Vigil Mass. This is a cover recording, using the music sheet from ICEL and guitar as instrument.

Lyrics for cantor and congregation are on the video.

This recording is designed for when candidates are to be baptized. Also, in this recording, the litany is shortened.

 

YouTube video https://youtu.be/N3lt7mEmRIY

Salmo responsorial: Domingo de Ramos ABC - Salmo 21 - Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado? Descarga gratuita de partituras en el siguiente enlace. Todos los versos del salmo están disponibles. / Responsorial psalm in Spanish for Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday). Free download of sheet music at the following link. All the psalm verses are available.

https://catholicliturgyinsong.org/product/domingo-de-ramos-abc-salmo-21-dios-mio-por-que-me-has-abandonado/

This song is about Confession and the Eucharist.

Lyrics:

Your Wings above,
our shelter is found
Cries from those weak near your tree
Lost and fallen helped up from the ground
Flesh fed, One Body we’ll be

We repent our sins
Forgiven by you
Slate wiped clean again
Take path once more all anew

Your Wings above,
our shelter is found
Cries from those weak near your tree
Lost and fallen helped up from the ground
Flesh fed, One Body we’ll be

Weak indeed we are
Need food for the way
Your Son died for all
His Body we eat today

Responsorial Psalm 39(40):7-11 for the Annunciation of the Lord - WORDS + CHORDS

 

                        C    F          C  F  G               F             C F C F
Response - Here I am, Lord! I come to do Your will.

 

  G                 F            C    Dm7        C
You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings,

  G        F        C
but an open ear.

  G                 F             C    Dm7          C
You do not ask for holocaust and victim.

      Dm Dm7        Gsus4 G
Instead, here am I.

 

                        C    F          C  F  G               F             C F C F
Response - Here I am, Lord! I come to do Your will.

 

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/h19bYw9PYo4

Salmo responsorial para Solemnidad de la Anunciación del Señor - Salmo 39 - Aquí estoy, Señor, para hacer tu voluntad. Responsorial psalm for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord – Psalm 40 –Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

Powerful song that sings of the last hours of Jesus starting from Gethsemane to His Crucifixion.

Instrumentation: SATB chorus, double bass, timpani, cymbals.
Duration: 1’

Wisdom 2:11-15.
 

Why are Catholic hymnals no longer approved by bishops, and how is Catholic hymnody evaluated today? In this article, I examine the historical role of episcopal approval, the gradual disappearance of imprimaturs after the Second Vatican Council, and how responsibility for hymn selection now functions within the Church.

Drawing on Catholic Hymnody at the Service of the Church (USCCB, 2020), the Church’s liturgical and doctrinal documents, and What Is a Catholic Hymn?, this study seeks not to be polemical, but ecclesial: to clarify what the Church means by Catholic hymnody and how modern hymnals measure up to those standards.

This article is intended for pastors, musicians, and all who care about the Church’s sung prayer.

Please visit Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and read Catholic Hymnody, Authority, and Modern Hymnals

Responsorial Psalm 129(130) for the 5th Sunday in Lent, Year A - WORDS + CHORDS

                        F             G        C         Am            F                 G           C
Response - With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

  Dm7            G              C                      Am
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,
  F          G            Em
Lord, hear my voice!
Dm7            G      C      Am
O let your ears be attentive
              F               G          Am
to the voice of my pleading.

                        F             G        C         Am            F                 G           C
Response - With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

1 A) In this time of divine mercy
You send us prophets for us to see
How we’ve  fallen and become blind
To your love and to all the signs

1 B)  Signs of  your justices coming

Responsorial Psalm 88(89):2-5,27,29 for St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary - WORDS + CHORDS

 

                       C             G     F                G  C
Response - His dynasty shall last for ever.

 

C                       F                       C            Am
I will sing for ever of Your love, O Lord;
                       F                 C                                              G

through all ages my mouth will proclaim Your truth.

        Am           F                         C                    Am
Of this I am sure, that Your love lasts for ever,

                     F                          Dm7                        G         G7
that Your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

 

                       C             G     F                G  C
Response - His dynasty shall last for ever.