Penitential Psalms

The Penitential Psalms or Psalms of Confession is a name designation dating from the sixth century A.D. (Cassiodorus's commentary, and possibly earlier) given to Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143 (6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129, and 142 in the Septuagint numbering),which are specially expressive of sorrow for sin. Four of these psalms were known as 'penitential psalms' by St. Augustine of Hippo in the early 400s. The name belonged originally to the fifty-first Psalm ("Miserere"), which was recited at the close of daily morning service in the primitive Church.

Translations of the penitential psalms were undertaken by some of the greatest poets in Renaissance England, including Sir Thomas Wyatt, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and Sir Philip Sidney.

Prior to the suppression of the minor orders and tonsure in 1972 by Paul VI, the seven penitential psalms were assigned to new clerics after having been tonsured. [Ordinations, Alleluia Press, 1962. See also the Pontificalia Romanum.]

Musical settings

Perhaps the most famous musical setting of all seven is by Orlande de Lassus, with his "Psalmi Davidis poenitentiales" of 1584.

Settings of individual penitential psalms have have been written by many composers. Well-known settings of the "Miserere" (Psalm 51) include those by Gregorio Allegri and Josquin des Prez. Settings of the "De profundis" (Psalm 130) include two in the Renaissance by Josquin.

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