It’s not often that we get such specific instructions for instrumentation in the psalm of the day. Psalm 47 is about as specific as it gets: “God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts.”

Fortunately, many good settings of this psalm incorporate that sense of triumphant jubilation. A good trumpet player or brass choir can make the music lift off the page and soar, taking the hearts of the community with it.

But if no trumpet player available, perhaps a synthesizer can fill the gap—if played in true trumpet style. Communities with healthy music budgets may be used to hiring a brass quartet for special holidays—why not for today? Did the whole budget get blown on Easter?

What if the setting you use is as lacking in oomph as many chant settings can be? It’s possible, of course, to use one of the common seasonal psalms—66 or 188—but juice it up with some extra instrumentation, even percussion. Even at this late date, it’s possible to instill some jubilation into the psalm for today. Instrumental apps are available on all sorts of electronic gadgets. Look for volunteers among computer-savvy parishioners and community members; you’ll be amazed at what they can come up with, given some encouragement.

This is a major feast. About the last thing you want to do today is settle for “close enough” or “not bad.”