Invitatory Psalm

The Venite (Ps 95:1-7), or the entire Ps 95, or the Jubilate (Ps 100), which precedes the appointed selection of Psalmody at Morning Prayer (BCP, pp. 82-83). The Rule of St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-c. 540) called for Ps 95 and an antiphon to be sung daily as the first psalm of Matins. The Jubilate was used as an invitatory psalm in the medieval office of lauds, and in the Jerusalem temple.

An invitatory antiphon is used with the invitatory psalm to "invite" the congregation to prayer. The invitatory antiphon gives emphasis to the season or day. The invitatory antiphons may be said or sung before, or before and after the invitatory psalm. The invitatory antiphons may be used with either the Venite or the Jubilate. Responsorial recitation was traditionally used for the Venite. This method calls for the invitatory antiphon to be sung after each verse or group of verses of the invitatory psalm (BCP, p. 582).

The complete Ps 95 is appointed to take the place of the Venite on Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and all the Fridays in Lent, including Good Friday. The canticle Pascha nostrum takes the place of the invitatory psalm in Easter Week, and it may be used throughout Easter season. An invitatory psalm may be substituted for the Phos hilaron at Evening Prayer.

The Hymnal 1982 provides musical settings for the Venite (S 2-S 7, S 35), for Ps 95 (S 8-S 10), for the Venite/Psalm 95 (S 34, S 36-S 40), and for the Jubilate (S 11-S 15, S 41-S 45). The Hymnal 1982 Accompaniment Edition, Vol. 1, also makes available the invitatory antiphons pointed for Anglican Chant (S 289, S 293), plainsong settings of invitatory antiphons (S 290- S 292, S 294), and a plainsong setting of the Jubilate (S 295).