Michael Joncas's new Simple Psalter synthesizes elements of previous styles of psalm-singing into a new pattern of engaging these sacred texts. Using the new Abbey Psalms and Canticles, Joncas sets every responsorial psalm in the three-year Lectionary in settings that work equally well a cappella or with keyboard accompaniment. The antiphon for each setting may be sung in unison or enhanced with optional voice or instrument parts, and the verses are set to a Gelineau-inspired "pulsed" psalm tone, notated in proposed speech-rhythm. Additionally, the tones of the Simple Psalter respect form-critical studies of psalms, assigning them to particular categories (e. g., different tones for hymns of praise, songs of thanksgiving, communal laments, etc.). The Simple Psalter is divided into four volumes: one for solemnities, feasts, and other celebrations, and one each for years A, B and C.
