Not sure about appropriateness, but that's because the notion of what is appropriate requires a standard to which you compare it. However, what you describe has been done many times and can be seen in many hymns deemed appropriate for Mass.

Are you actually using it for the psalm or will it be a choral piece done at another time in the mass?

Jen,
By all means welcome to the forum.
Consider this approach as an option-
Avoid employing, for now, the texts from the Mass Ordinary and even all scriptural texts or excerpts, particularly if in the Latin language.
Spend some considerable time examining religiously inspired poetry or prose authored by whomever, a Catholic such as St. Hildegard, and find a whole or partial text that really inspires your own prayerful heart. (I'm thinking of some of the texts Dr. Kwasniewski has set in his new choral compendium like O CLARISSIMA MARIA.) Finding a text with which your soul finds resonance allows and serves your skills and the compositional impulse, to honor God, to find your voice (your craft), and to affirm those skills within you.
It is my long-lived conviction that too many composers appropriate Latin texts and/or famed texts such as Ps23 as "auto pilot" vehicles for already imagined musical motives and constructs, and then figure out how to unite the pieces like they are from a puzzle.
So, you might discern this a better and more fulfilling way to enter the "arena"- and the text is all important and the primary concern before a note is written down. (Or keystroked!)
Blessings,
Charles in CA

Jen, you're getting lots of advice already!

Melofluent makes a salient point about choosing texts that resonate with your spirit and craft, although I don't think it's necessary to avoid scriptural or liturgical texts if they are what you feel drawn to. I do note that you said you are thinking of composing something for your choir, and I'm sure that this also influences your choices.

Continuousbass is probably right about what your music professors might say or think of your efforts being worthy of church or contemporary enough. You have to find your own compositional style and how it fits any text that inspires you to compose for it.

All our suggestions, reservations, caveats, and anecdotes aside ... wade in! get your compositional feet wet! bathe yourself in your own music! And be not afraid to find yourself surprised by some efforts, disappointed by other efforts, and thrilled to your core at your best efforts, sometimes when you least expect it. Don't be afraid to share your work, not only with your choir, but with people here who, by and large, will try to be most helpful.

Jen,

Let me add, since I have done some composing over the years, that you may find that what strikes you as a utility piece at one point in your composing life may strike you as unbelievably trite later. This is to be expected, since you're learning something about the craft.

Unlike my esteemed colleagues here, I'm going to suggest that you listen to, and simultaneously read, some particular kind of music to which you feel drawn - so that you can learn by studying those who do well what you esteem worthy of doing.

It's common practice around here to post works in progress for the commentary of the readership, and I encourage you to follow this practice. Are there some who will be dismissive and unhelpful? Probably, but you'll find that most who will comment will take the piece for what you intend to do, and help you say better what you're already trying to say.

Cheers,

Chris

If you're setting the psalm to be used liturgically in the place of the psalm (and note that the psalm doesn't have to be responsorial, though try telling a priest that, and it SHOULD be if you want performances) then it must be the text of that day. If it's a free motet, do what you will... and I don't think you're obligated to state anything in the title. You could call it Fred even.

Re Melo's comment: I see what he's getting at, but I disagree. Any text is fine, as long as it speaks to you. But we're in agreement that it should speak first, when choosing it. You want to be careful to keep the micro and macro in balance. My bad habit is to get hung up on individual words and "Mickey Mouse" them, or over-madrigalize them.It's best if your ideas reflect the text as a whole; you can still point up words or phrases, but don't let that destroy the unity of the concept.

Simple is better than complex, as long as it's not simple-minded. If you have to do something that's hard for a performer, make sure that you're doing it in the easiest way possible. If you can't sing a part accurately, first time every time, chances are that it won't be sung accurately ANY time.

Wow. Is that STILL the case with college profs? I thought all that went out mid 80's.

It's still true. Maybe not so much at a religious institution, but I went to a public school. One professor always scoffed at me during juries because I wasn't an expert in his favorite contemporary composer. Brilliant artists, though, lucky to have studied composition with them, even though they were intimidating, quirky folk.

Wow thanks for all the suggestions guys and the warm welcome!!
As fot my piece I am just going to use it as an choir anthem at the offertory time. Also I was just using Psalm 23 for an example of how I would note it in the title. I would never cut any of those verses. Those all go together but there are other Psalms that I look at and I like the first couple of verses but feel that the ones in the middle even though they are part would not fit.
I like very much like Melofluent's idea of starting with religious poetry. I am going to start looking today.
I tend to lean towards the English composers like Williams, and Rutter since I must confess that I work for a protestant church. But I am finding a lot of useful things here and I know there are knowledgeable people here that can maybe help with the writing process.
My teacher is great she really encourages me to write. I took her 18th century counterpoint class this last semester and never in a million years would ever have thought I would have been able to compose anything. I actually wrote a two part invention and a fugue. The fugue I actually just finished reworking and turned it into a fugue and variation on Nicaea. Outside of the counterpoint class the teachers are great because they encourage any style of writing. So this is my next goal is to compose something for my choir!!
Thanks again everyone!!
Jen

If you want to look at religious poetry in English, be sure to look through John Donne, Henry Vaughan and George Herbert for Anthem texts. Some poems by Henry Van Dyke could be good texts.

I would echo, however, Melo's shrewd warning against setting certain texts like Psalm 23, or Psalm 100 - surely there are enough good settings of those by composers over the centuries that are accessible to most parish choirs that we really don't need another one - they've been Donne to Death.

I found my text nice and simple it really spoke to me. There are phrases that I can play around with and already have the melody for verse one. I am making is easy and just repeating it in different parts for each verse and then all together in unison at the end.

Much agreed on popular psalms or any well known scripture piece. My theory is like that of the movies rarely can you produce a sequel to a hit. I feel that the same thing goes with good music. You can not usually come close to a good standard repertoire that has already been done since it is always the one people remember the most.

"they've been Donne to Death."
Love the pun Salieri
John Donne is good I enjoy his hymn Wilt Thou Forgive

and as for me I am Donne for today.

Life is a Journey
by Anonymous
Life is but a stopping place,
a pause in what's to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.

We all have different journeys,
different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay...

Our destination is a place,
far greater than we know.
For some the journey's quicker,
for some the journey's slow.

And when the journey finally ends,
we'll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
together with the Lord

Oh no I am sorry I for sure meant Vaugh-Williams sorry about that. I like most of Rutter's things I love his Christmas Lullaby.
Jen