What are hymns?

Response

A hymn is a song of praise. In ancient Greek culture, a hymnos was musical praise directed to the gods or heroes of the day. In Christianity, hymns are directed to the one true God, naturally.

God’s people have sung hymns in honor of the Almighty since the time of Moses and earlier «Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. », (Exodus 15:1). David sang the “new song” God gave him and taught others to sing “a hymn of praise to our God” «And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, And shall trust in the LORD. », (Psalm 40:3). Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn together at the Last Supper «And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. », (Mark 14:26). The early church sang hymns as part of their regular gatherings «How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. », (1 Corinthians 14:26). Paul and Silas, with their feet in stocks in a Philippian jail, were “praying and singing hymns to God” «And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. », (Acts 16:25).

Technically, a hymn is a stanzaic, metrical poem intended to be sung. A traditiThe standard meter for hymns in English is 8.6.8.6., known as common meter, which aligns with ballad stanza. The content of a hymn is what sets it apart from the “psalms” and “spiritual songs” referenced in Ephesians 5:19 (ESV); a psalm can be viewed as Scripture put to music—often from the book of Psalms—and a spiritual song can encompass any song with a spiritual theme, including songs of testimony and admonition. A hymn focuses on and honors God, serving the purpose of praise and adoration.

Ephesians 5:18–19 indicates a direct link between being filled with the Spirit and singing: “Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” A Spirit-filled Christian is a singing Christian. Music naturally flows from a heart in communion with the Lord. The songs sung by the church should not be merely a musical routine; they should reside in the heart and not just on the lips. The hymns inspired by the Spirit are a way in which believers build up, encourage, and instruct one another (see also Colossians 3:16).

Hymns are a valuable tool in worship as they assist in directing our focus to the goodness and splendor of the Lord. For instance, the hymn “How Great Thou Art” prompts us to reflect on God’s magnificence displayed in creation, His perfect sacrifice on the cross, and His imminent return for His people—all reasons for praise.

The timeless hymns of Martin Luther, Isaac Watts, Fanny Crosby, Charles Wesley, and numerous others have enriched millions of Christians over the ages. Contemporary hymn composers like Twila Paris, Keith and Kristyn Getty, Graham Kendrick, and Stuart Townend continue to encapsulate biblical truths in poetic form and shift our gaze to the Lord who is magnificent and “most worthy of praise” «For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods. », (Psalm 96:4).