Words & The Word

Yesterday at the USCCB Annual Assembly, the American bishops voted to approve the Revised Grail Psalter for liturgical use in the United States, along with a new (and improved) translation of the Proper of Seasons for the Roman missal. The new Psalter has been recommended for its musicality, its adherence to the content and style of the Hebrew text, and for its harmonization of Hebraic imagery and anthropology with critical awareness of Christological references.

Awaiting confirmation from the Vatican, both decisions are a step toward greater “faith, fidelity and exactness” in translation, as required by the Vatican’s 2001 instruction on liturgy, Liturgiam Authenticam . The instruction urged that “the liturgical texts should be considered as the voice of the Church at prayer,” and hence they should reflect more faithfully the sacredness and beauty of the liturgical mysteries. We are, I hope, on the way.