My Daily Psalm Book Question?

[CatholicSteve21]

Any owners of the book My Daily Psalm Book by Fr. Peter Fray? If so, I got a question, after every couple of verses or so a * is there. Whats that supposed to mean?

God bless! Our Lady protect!

[Speculum Patientiae]

I own this as well, and was idly wondering the same. I assumed that that these were used to divide up the verses in such a way to make them chantable, but that's just my guess.

[jovan66102]

I own this as well, and was idly wondering the same. I assumed that that these were used to divide up the verses in such a way to make them chantable, but that's just my guess.

It's been a long time since I've thought about it, but I believe you're right. I think the '*' indicates a breath whilst chanting. Where are our experts? :LOL:

[CatholicSteve21]

Thank you all for the answers! I'll take your words for it; makes sense. God bless! Our Lady protect!

[aquinas138]

In the breviary, the asterisk in the middle of each verse is where there is a pause in chant/recitation. This pause is required in common or in choir by the rubrics, even if the Office is merely recited.

If there is an asterisk after a cluster of verses, I'm not sure what that would mean. Perhaps a way to shorten the psalmody by breaking up the psalms?