The Responsorial Psalm is sung between the First and Second readings during the Mass. Visit the Funeral Music page for choices of hymns for the other parts of the Funeral Mass.
Psalm 23
Refrain:
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
1. God is my Shepherd, so nothing shall I want,
I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love,
I walk by the quiet waters of peace.
2. Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul,
you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth,
my spirit shall sing the music of your name.
3. Though I should wander the valley of death,
I fear no evil, for you are at my side, your rod and your staff,
my comfort and my hope.
4. You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred,
Crowning me with love beyond my pow’r to hold.
5. Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of my God for evermore.
Psalm 23
Refrain:
My shepherd is the Lord, nothing indeed shall I want.
1. Lord, you are my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where you give me repose.
Near restful waters you lead me,
to revive my drooping spirit.
2. You guide me along the right path;
You are true to your name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.
3. You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.
4. Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.
5. To the Father and Son give glory,
give glory to the Spirit.
To God who is, who was, and who will be
for ever and ever.
Psalm 63
Refrain:
As morning breaks, I look to you; I look to you, O Lord, to be my strength this day, as morning breaks, as morning breaks.
1. O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in your holy place to see your strength and your glory.
2. For your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, my mouth shall praise you with joy.
3. On my bed I remember you. On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast.
Psalm 103
Refrain:
The Lord is kind and merciful, the Lord is kind and merciful.
1. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all my being bless God’s name;
bless the Lord, and forget not God’s benefits
2. God pardons all your iniquities, and comforts your sorrows,
redeems your life from destruction and crowns you with kindness.