Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia A hymn, in the context of biblical literature and Christian worship, is a song of praise or adoration directed towards God. Hymns have been an integral part of worship practices since ancient times, serving as expressions of faith, devotion, and theological truths. The use of hymns is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the enduring tradition of musical worship among God's people.Old Testament Context The tradition of singing hymns can be traced back to the Old Testament, where music and song played a significant role in the religious life of Israel. The Book of Psalms, often referred to as the hymnbook of ancient Israel, contains numerous songs of praise, lament, thanksgiving, and worship. Many of these psalms were intended to be sung in the temple and during various religious festivals. For example, Psalm 100:1-2 exhorts the faithful: "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs." The Israelites also sang hymns to commemorate significant events, such as the Song of Moses and Miriam in Exodus 15, which celebrated God's deliverance from the Egyptians. This tradition of singing hymns as a response to God's mighty acts continued throughout Israel's history. New Testament Context In the New Testament, hymns continue to hold a prominent place in the life of the early Christian church. Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn after the Last Supper, as recorded in Matthew 26:30 : "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." This indicates that hymns were part of Jewish worship practices that Jesus and His followers observed. The Apostle Paul encourages the use of hymns in Christian worship and fellowship. In Ephesians 5:19 , he writes, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord." Similarly, in Colossians 3:16 , Paul instructs believers to "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." These passages highlight the role of hymns in teaching, admonishing, and expressing gratitude, emphasizing their importance in the spiritual edification of the church community. Theological Significance Hymns serve as a means of doctrinal instruction, encapsulating key theological truths in a memorable and communal form. They often reflect the core beliefs of the Christian faith, such as the nature of God, the work of Christ, and the hope of salvation. Through hymns, believers are able to articulate their faith, unite in worship, and pass down theological teachings to future generations. Historical Development Throughout church history, hymns have evolved in style and form, influenced by cultural and theological developments. The early church fathers, such as Ambrose of Milan, contributed to the development of hymnody by composing hymns that were doctrinally sound and suitable for congregational singing. The Reformation brought about a renewed emphasis on congregational hymn singing, with figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin advocating for hymns in the vernacular language to make worship accessible to all believers. In modern times, hymns continue to be a vital part of Christian worship across various denominations, with hymnals and contemporary worship songs drawing from the rich tradition of biblical hymnody. Smith's Bible Dictionary Hymna religious song or psalm. (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) Our Lord and his apostles sung a hymn after the last supper. In the jail at Philippi, Paul and Silas "sang hymns" (Authorized Version "praises") unto God, and so loud was their song that their fellow prisoners heard them. ATS Bible Dictionary HymnA religious canticle, song, or psalm, Ephesians 5:19 Colossians 3:16. Paul requires Christians to edify one another with "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." Matthew says that Christ and his disciples, having supped, sung a hymn, and went out. They probably chanted a part of the psalms which the Jews used to sing after the Passover, which they called the Halal; that is, the Hallelujah psalms. These are Psalm 113:1-118:29, of which the first two are supposed to have been chanted before the Passover was eaten, and the others afterwards. Easton's Bible Dictionary Occurs only Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. The verb to "sing an hymn" occurs Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26. The same Greek word is rendered to "sing praises" Acts 16:25 (R.V., "sing hymns") and Hebrews 2:12. The "hymn" which our Lord sang with his disciples at the last Supper is generally supposed to have been the latter part of the Hallel, comprehending Psalm 113-118. It was thus a name given to a number of psalms taken together and forming a devotional exercise.The noun hymn is used only with reference to the services of the Greeks, and was distinguished from the psalm. The Greek tunes required Greek hymns. Our information regarding the hymnology of the early Christians is very limited. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) An ode or song of praise or adoration; especially, a religious ode, a sacred lyric; a song of praise or thanksgiving intended to be used in religious service; as, the Homeric hymns; Watts' hymns.2. (v. t.) To praise in song; to worship or extol by singing hymns; to sing. 3. (v. i.) To sing in praise or adoration. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia HYMNhim (humnos): In Colossians 3:16 Ephesians 5:19 Paul bids his readers sing "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." Gregory of Nyssa (4th century) distinguishes these as follows: the Psalms were accompanied by instruments, the hymns were mainly vocal, and the song, ode, was a general term comprehending both. This distinction might suggest that the psalm belonged especially to the public worship of the church, while the hymn was the production, more or less spontaneous, of the individual member. The inference is, however, inconsistent with 1 Corinthians 14:26, and it is probable that in the apostolic age, at least, the terms were used indiscriminately. Of Christian psalms or hymns we have examples in the New Testament. Luke 1 and 2 contain such hymns in the songs of Mary, Zacharias and Simeon. The Apocalypse is studded with hymns or odes, many of them quite general in character, and probably borrowed or adapted from Jewish books of praise. In the Epistles of Paul, especially the later ones, fragments of hymns seem to be quoted. Lightfoot detects one in Ephesians 5:14, and others readily suggest themselves. Greek 5215. humnos -- a hymn ... a hymn. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: humnos Phonetic Spelling: (hoom'-nos) Short Definition: a hymn, sacred song Definition: a hymn, sacred ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5215.htm - 7k 5214. humneo -- to sing to, to laud 2358. thriambeuo -- to triumph 5603. ode -- a song, ode Strong's Hebrew 8605. tephillah -- prayer... prayer. From palal; intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn -- prayer. see HEBREW palal. 8604, 8605. tephillah. 8606 . Strong's Numbers. /hebrew/8605.htm - 6k 8416. tehillah -- praise, song of praise Library Hymn Writers of the Church Indian Methodist Hymn-book Hymn 1 Evening Hymn. Sabbath Hymn. Morning Hymn. Evening Hymn. Funeral Hymn. Harvest Hymn Hymn {338} Thesaurus Hymn (5 Occurrences)... Occurs only Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. The verb to "sing an hymn" occurs Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HYMN. ... /h/hymn.htm - 11k Doxology Magnificat Singing (65 Occurrences) Sung (13 Occurrences) Acrostic (2 Occurrences) Three (5005 Occurrences) Praise (487 Occurrences) Hymns (6 Occurrences) Pharaoh (245 Occurrences) Resources What are hymns? What is the value of hymns in worship? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs mentioned in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16? | GotQuestions.org Is there a difference in meaning between Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus? | GotQuestions.org Hymn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Hymn (5 Occurrences)Matthew 26:30 Mark 14:26 1 Corinthians 14:26 Hebrews 2:12 Psalms 40:3 Subtopics Related Terms Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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