Definition and Origin
Hymns are religious songs or odes of praise and worship, often directed to God. In the context of the Bible, hymns are expressions of faith, adoration, and thanksgiving, typically sung by individuals or congregations. The practice of singing hymns has its roots in ancient Jewish worship and was carried into early Christian traditions.

Biblical References
The Bible contains several references to hymns, indicating their importance in both personal and communal worship. In the New Testament, hymns are mentioned explicitly in the context of early Christian gatherings. For instance, the Apostle Paul encourages the Colossians, "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" (Colossians 3:16). Similarly, in Ephesians 5:19, Paul advises believers to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord."

The Gospels also provide an example of hymn singing by Jesus and His disciples. After the Last Supper, "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives" (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26). This indicates that hymn singing was a part of Jewish Passover traditions, which Jesus and His disciples observed.

Role in Worship
Hymns serve multiple purposes in worship. They are a means of teaching and reinforcing theological truths, as they often encapsulate core doctrines and scriptural themes. Hymns also facilitate communal worship, uniting believers in a shared expression of faith and devotion. Through hymns, worshippers can express a wide range of emotions, from lament and repentance to joy and celebration.

Characteristics of Biblical Hymns
Biblical hymns are characterized by their focus on God’s attributes, works, and promises. They often recount God’s acts of creation, salvation, and providence, serving as reminders of His faithfulness and power. The Psalms, while not exclusively hymns, contain many elements of hymnody, such as praise, thanksgiving, and supplication. Psalm 100, for example, is a classic hymn of praise: "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs" (Psalm 100:1-2).

Historical Development
The tradition of hymn singing continued to evolve throughout church history. The early church fathers, such as Ambrose of Milan, contributed to the development of Christian hymnody by composing hymns that were doctrinally sound and suitable for congregational singing. The Reformation further advanced hymnody, with figures like Martin Luther and Isaac Watts creating hymns that emphasized scriptural truths and personal faith.

Modern Usage
Today, hymns remain a vital part of Christian worship across denominations. They are used in various settings, from traditional liturgies to contemporary services, and continue to be a means of edification and worship for believers worldwide. Hymns have also been adapted into various musical styles, reflecting the diverse cultural expressions of the global church.

In summary, hymns are a timeless and integral component of Christian worship, deeply rooted in biblical tradition and continuing to inspire and unite believers in their faith journey.5214. humneo -- to sing to, to laud
... to sing to, to laud. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: humneo Phonetic Spelling:
(hoom-neh'-o) Short Definition: I sing, sing hymns to Definition: I sing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5214.htm - 7k

5215. humnos -- a hymn
... In the NT, 5215 ("hymns") is used only of , manifested in the flesh in Jesus Christ,
the God-man. ... word Definition a hymn NASB Word Usage hymns (2). hymn. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5215.htm - 7k

8426. todah -- thanksgiving
... Word Origin from yadah Definition thanksgiving NASB Word Usage choir (1), choirs
(2), confession (1), hymns of thanksgiving (1), praise (1), sacrifices of ...
/hebrew/8426.htm - 6k

3034. yadah -- to throw, cast
... 1), confessing (2), gave (1), gave praise (1), give you thanks (5), give thanks
(59), giving praise (1), giving thanks (3), glorify (1), hymns of thanksgiving ...
/hebrew/3034.htm - 6k

Olney Hymns
Olney Hymns. <. Olney Hymns John Newton. Table of Contents. Title Page. PREFACE.
BOOK I. On select Passages of Scripture. GENESIS. Hymn 1 ADAM. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/

Hymns from the Morningland
Hymns from the Morningland. <. Hymns from the Morningland John Brownlie. Table
of Contents. Title Page. PREFACE. INDEX OF FIRST LINES. INTRODUCTION. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns from the morningland/

Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian
Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian. <. Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim
the Syrian Ephraim the Syrian. Schaff, Philip (Editor) Table of Contents. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/

Hymns of the Early Church
Hymns of the Early Church. <. Hymns of the Early Church John Brownlie. Table
of Contents. Title Page. HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH. Morning. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the early church/

Hymns of the Apostolic Church
Hymns of the Apostolic Church. <. Hymns of the Apostolic Church John Brownlie.
Table of Contents. Title Page. INDEX OF FIRST LINES. INTRODUCTION. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/

Hymns of the Greek Church
Hymns of the Greek Church. <. Hymns of the Greek Church John Brownlie. Table
of Contents. Title Page. SOME PRESS NOTICES. PREFATORY NOTE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the greek church/

Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion
Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion. <. Book of Hymns
for Public and Private Devotion Various. Produced by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/

Hymns and Spiritual Songs
Hymns and Spiritual Songs. <. Hymns and Spiritual Songs Isaac Watts. Produced
by Lewis Jones. Table of Contents. Title Page. Transcriber's Note. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/hymns and spiritual songs/

Sacred Poems and Hymns
Sacred Poems and Hymns. <. Sacred Poems and Hymns James Montgomery. Table
of Contents. Title Page. PREFACE. INTRODUCTION. ORIGINAL HYMNS. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/

Favourite Welsh Hymns
Favourite Welsh Hymns. <. Favourite Welsh Hymns Joseph Morris. Table of Contents.
Title Page. PREFACE. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF CONTENTS. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/

Hymns (6 Occurrences)
...Hymns (6 Occurrences). Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying
and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ...
/h/hymns.htm - 8k

Hymn (5 Occurrences)
... The same Greek word is rendered to "sing praises" Acts 16:25 (RV, "sing hymns")
and Hebrews 2:12. ... The Greek tunes required Greek hymns. ...
/h/hymn.htm - 11k

Lamentations (6 Occurrences)
... In addition, the qinah ("elegy") meter is found in these hymns, in which a longer
line (3 or 4 accents) is followed by a shorter (2 or 3 accents). ...
/l/lamentations.htm - 20k

Singing (65 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS). Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing
hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ...
/s/singing.htm - 29k

Degrees (18 Occurrences)
... several of the group. (3) Theodoret and other Fathers explain these 15 hymns
as traveling songs of the returning exiles. In Ezra 7 ...
/d/degrees.htm - 14k

Sing (147 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing,
and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV ...
/s/sing.htm - 36k

Persian (4 Occurrences)
... Vohu Mano, I say.") 2. Gathic: There is a sub-dialect of Medic (Avestic) known as
the Gatha-dialect, from the fact that the Gathas or "Hymns" (Yasna XXVIII ...
/p/persian.htm - 45k

Snow (25 Occurrences)
... Alfred H. Joy. SPIRITUAL SONGS. (odai pneumatikai): ode, English "ode," is the general,
and generic word for "song," of which "psalms and hymns" are specific ...
/s/snow.htm - 21k

Songs (100 Occurrences)
... several of the group. (3) Theodoret and other Fathers explain these 15 hymns
as traveling songs of the returning exiles. In Ezra 7 ...
/s/songs.htm - 62k

Silas (22 Occurrences)
... In no way dismayed, they prayed and sang hymns to God, and an earthquake in
the middle of the night secured them a miraculous release. ...
/s/silas.htm - 21k

What are hymns? What is the value of hymns in worship? | GotQuestions.org

What are the psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs mentioned in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16? | GotQuestions.org

What is exclusive psalmody? | GotQuestions.org

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