Introit (pronounced in-tro-it) comes from the Latin word introitus, which means “entrance.” The Introit is the Psalm sung at the beginning of the Service of the Word as we enter into God’s presence. This entrance is signified by the pastor’s movement as he walks up the steps of the chancel and approaches the altar for the first time in the Divine Service.
The Introit contains three parts: the antiphon, Psalm verse(s), and the Gloria Patri. The antiphon is a Bible verse or liturgical text that announces the theme of the Scripture readings for the day, specifically pointing to the Gospel reading. The Psalm verses that follow the antiphon expand and reflect on this theme. The Gloria Patri (Latin for “Glory be to the Father…”) points us again to the name of the Triune God given to us in Baptism and proclaims that everything done in the Divine Service is done to the glory of God. The antiphon is repeated at the end to reiterate the theme we are about to hear in the readings.
The Introit has its roots in the Old Testament. Synagogue worship began with the singing of the Psalms, and the priests and Jewish pilgrims sang the Psalms of Ascent as they traveled to Jerusalem and ascended the steps of the Temple for festivals. Likewise, in the Early Church, the people gathered before the Divine Service and sang Psalms as they waited for the service to begin. When the pastor arrived, he led the people into the nave while chanting a Psalm. Specific Psalms were appointed for certain days of the Church year by the 5th century.
The practice of chanting the Psalms and the liturgy (as opposed to speaking) has been part of worship since the Old Testament. Chanting was retained in the Early Church and by Martin Luther in his reforms of the liturgy. Chanting marks worship as being holy; the Divine Service is not an ordinary or casual thing but it is set apart from the secular world. The practice of chanting the liturgy confesses that something is happening here which commands our reverence and full attention. Chanting also assists in proclaiming God’s Word. Chant is elevated speech which causes us to sing and listen more deliberately to the text. Chanting, like other forms of music, aids in learning and memory. Psalm tones and antiphons are simple and repetitive so that they are easy to learn and help us call to mind the Psalms throughout the week. Likewise, many parts of the liturgy are sung to allow for participation across all ages as we join our voices together as one body of Christ.