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Why were psalm chants usually less elaborate than mass graduals and alleluias?

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Educational diagram showing the human voice-producing apparatus, including a side view of the head and neck with labeled tongue, larynx, vocal cords, and trachea, plus a top-down view of the vocal cords during inhalation and sound production. Labels explain the roles of resonators, vocal cord positioning, and cartilage structures in speech. — vocal music The parts of human anatomy that produce vocal sound.

In the context of vocal music, psalm chants were typically less elaborate than mass Graduals and Alleluias because they served different liturgical functions.

Psalm chants are based on psalm tones—simple, formulaic melodic structures designed for the efficient recitation of biblical texts during the canonical hours or the Divine Office. These formulas prioritize the clear delivery of the text, maintaining a functional, syllabic, or near-syllabic style that allows for the chanting of long passages of scripture.12

In contrast, the Gradual and the Alleluia are part of the Proper of the mass, which varies according to the liturgical season or feast. These chants evolved into highly virtuosic, melismatic structures performed by soloists. While the psalm tone is a utilitarian tool for recitation, the Gradual and Alleluia were designed as ornate musical highlights, showcasing elaborate vocal embellishment that contrasts with the modest, repetitive nature of standard psalmody.1