Bible Encyclopedias
Gradual Psalms

The Catholic Encyclopedia

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Gradual

Next Entry
Graf von Frankenberg

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

Additional Links

Dictionaries
1910 New Catholic Dictionary
• Psalms, Gradual
• Gradual Psalms
Encyclopedias
The Catholic Encyclopedia
• Gradual Psalms

Fifteen psalms — namely, Psalms 119-133 (in Hebrew 120-134) — bear a Hebrew inscription which is rendered in the Vulgate as canticum graduum, and translated in the Douay Version as "a gradual canticle". The Authorized Version calls them "songs of degrees"; the Revised Version, "songs of ascents". Of the various conjectual explanations, the most probable regards them as psalms recited when going up to the annual festivals in Jerusalem, pilgrim-songs (see PSALMS). The days on which the Gradual psalms were formerly recited are still indicated in the Roman Breviary, but the obligation of reciting them was removed by St. Pius V.