Glossary
31 terms · Liturgical and musical vocabulary, explained in plain language
Architecture
- Narthex
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The entrance hall or vestibule of a church, located between the exterior entrance and the nave.
- Nave
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The central part of a church building where the congregation gathers for worship.
Biblical/Liturgical
- Pericope
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A set passage of scripture appointed to be read at a particular service. The appointed readings for a Sunday or feast day.
In Lutheran practice: The three-year Revised Common Lectionary used by ELCA assigns three pericopes for each Sunday: Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, Gospel.
Literary/Liturgical
- Paraphrase
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A free rendering of a biblical text, especially a psalm, into metrical verse for singing.
In Lutheran practice: Many Lutheran hymns are paraphrases of psalms. Luther's 'A Mighty Fortress' is a paraphrase of Psalm 46.
Liturgical
- Antiphon
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A short verse or phrase sung before and after a psalm or canticle, establishing the interpretive key for the psalm.
In Lutheran practice: Used in Lutheran Vespers and Morning Prayer. The antiphon often comes from the Gospel of the day.
- Canticle
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A biblical song other than a psalm, used in liturgical worship. Examples include the Magnificat, Benedictus, and Nunc Dimittis.
In Lutheran practice: Canticles are integral to Lutheran daily prayer (Vespers, Matins, Compline).
- Compline
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The last of the canonical hours, sung before sleep. Includes psalms, a reading, hymn, and the Nunc Dimittis.
In Lutheran practice: Compline is increasingly used in Lutheran congregations as a contemplative evening service.
- Exsultet
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The great Easter proclamation sung by the deacon at the Easter Vigil, announcing the resurrection of Christ.
In Lutheran practice: One of the oldest and most moving pieces of liturgical music in Christian tradition. Used at the Easter Vigil.
- Gradual
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A responsorial chant sung between the Epistle and Gospel, originally sung from the steps (gradus) of the ambo.
In Lutheran practice: In Lutheran practice, the Gradual is often a psalm verse or the Hymn of the Day sung between the readings.
- Introit
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The entrance chant of the Mass, consisting of an antiphon, a psalm verse, the Gloria Patri, and the antiphon repeated.
In Lutheran practice: Many Lutheran liturgies include an Introit appointed for each Sunday that sets the tone for the day.
- Kyrie
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The ancient Greek prayer 'Lord, have mercy' (Kyrie eleison). Sung near the beginning of the Divine Service.
In Lutheran practice: The Kyrie is one of the most ancient elements of Christian worship, retained in Lutheran liturgy as an act of penitence and trust.
- Matins
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The morning liturgical office, also called Morning Prayer. Includes hymns, psalms, readings, Te Deum, and Benedictus.
In Lutheran practice: The Lutheran Matins (LBW) is based on the ancient office. It includes the Invitatory, Venite, psalm, reading, responsory, canticle, and prayers.
- Offertory
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The portion of the liturgy during which offerings are collected and the bread and wine are prepared for the Eucharist.
In Lutheran practice: In Lutheran practice, the Offertory may include a hymn, the collection, and the preparation of the table.
- Ordinary
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The fixed, unchanging portions of the liturgy (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei), as opposed to the Proper.
- Proper
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The variable portions of the liturgy that change according to the day or season (Introit, Collect, Readings, Gradual).
- Responsory
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A chant in which a soloist or cantor alternates with the choir or congregation.
In Lutheran practice: Used in Lutheran Vespers and Matins between readings.
- Rubric
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An instruction in a liturgical text about how the service is to be conducted, traditionally printed in red.
- Sticheron
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A verse or stanza sung in connection with psalm verses in Eastern Christian worship.
- Tract
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A psalm or portion of a psalm sung straight through without a refrain, used in place of the Alleluia during Lent.
- Versicle
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A short verse said by the officiant and responded to by the congregation, typically from scripture.
- Vespers
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The evening liturgical office. Includes psalm, hymn, Magnificat, readings, and prayers.
In Lutheran practice: Lutheran Vespers follows the ancient form. The centerpiece is the Magnificat, Mary's song (Luke 1:46-55).
Music Theory
- Isometric
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A hymn tune in which all notes are approximately equal in duration, giving a steady, even rhythmic feel.
In Lutheran practice: Most Lutheran chorales as sung today are isometric. The original rhythmic versions (by Luther's contemporaries) had varied note values.
Musical Form
- Cantata
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A multi-movement vocal work for soloists, choir, and instruments, typically with a biblical text and often incorporating chorales.
In Lutheran practice: J.S. Bach wrote 224 surviving cantatas, most for the Lutheran liturgy. Each was keyed to the appointed readings and often based on a chorale.
- Chorale
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A hymn tune associated with the German Lutheran tradition, typically in four-part harmony. Originally sung in unison by the congregation.
In Lutheran practice: The chorale is the defining musical form of Lutheran worship. Luther himself composed or arranged many chorales. Bach's 371 chorale harmonizations are a cornerstone of music theory.
- Chorale Prelude
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An organ composition based on a chorale melody, used as liturgical music before the singing of the hymn.
In Lutheran practice: The chorale prelude was developed specifically for Lutheran worship. Key composers include Buxtehude, Bach, and Brahms.
- Motet
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A sacred choral composition, usually unaccompanied, setting a Latin or vernacular text.
In Lutheran practice: Luther valued motets and polyphonic music. Schütz and Bach are among the great Lutheran motet composers.
Musical Term
- Cantus Firmus
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A pre-existing melody, typically a chorale, around which other voices are composed. Literally 'fixed song' in Latin.
In Lutheran practice: Bach and other Lutheran composers frequently used Lutheran chorales as cantus firmi in organ works and choral pieces.
- Postlude
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Organ or instrumental music played as the congregation leaves after the service.
In Lutheran practice: The postlude traditionally echoes the theme of the closing hymn or the day's liturgical character.
- Prelude
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Organ or instrumental music played before the service begins, often based on the day's hymns.
- Tenor
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The highest natural adult male voice. In four-part Lutheran chorale writing, the tenor often carries the original chorale melody.
In Lutheran practice: In many early Lutheran chorales, the melody was in the tenor, following the older polyphonic tradition.
- Tonus Peregrinus
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A psalm tone without a fixed reciting note, used for Psalm 114. Literally 'wandering tone.'