Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.

When the choir leads the congregation in the Responsorial Psalm, we are doing more than just singing notes—we are echoing the scriptures back to God. "Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life" is a faithful setting of Psalm 19, often sung during the Liturgy of the Word on the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. The melody carries a solemn yet uplifting reverence, perfectly matching the psalmist’s awe at the perfection of God's law.

Evang. Cletus B. Jurbe’s arrangement is straightforward and deeply prayerful. The short, memorable refrain allows the entire church to join in easily after the cantor or choir delivers the verses. As we sing through the stanzas—reflecting on how God's decrees revive the soul and gladden the heart—the music helps the congregation meditate on the readings they have just heard.

Written entirely in solfa notation, this piece is highly accessible for Nigerian Catholic choirs. The harmony in the refrain gives the voices a chance to swell with conviction, while the chanted verses keep the focus entirely on the sacred text. It is a wonderful choice for Sunday Mass, reminding everyone present that the spoken words of our mouths and the thoughts of our hearts are an offering to our rock and redeemer.