Hymn
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A '''hymn''' is a type of [[song]], usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or [[prayer]], and typically addressed to a deity/deities, a prominent figure or an epic tale. The word ''hymn'' derives from [[Greek language|Greek]] {{Polytonic|ὕμνος}} ''hymnos'' "a song of praise".
==Origins==
Ancient hymns include the Egyptian ''[[Great Hymn to the Aten]]'', composed by [[Pharaoh]] [[Akhenaten]], the ''[[Veda]]s'', a collection of hymns in the tradition of [[Hinduism]] and the ''[[Psalms]]'', a collection of songs from [[Judaism]]. The Western tradition of hymnody begins with the [[Homeric Hymns]], a collection of ancient Greek hymns, the oldest of which were written in the 7th century BC, praising deities of the [[Religion in ancient Greece|ancient Greek religions]]. Surviving from the 3rd century BC is a collection of six literary hymns ({{Polytonic|''Ὕμνοι''}}) by the [[Alexandria|Alexandrian]] poet [[Callimachus]].
[[Church Fathers|Patristic]] writers began applying the term {{Polytonic|ὕμνος}}, or 'hymnus' in [[Latin]], to [[Christian]] songs of praise, and frequently used the word as a synonym for "[[Psalms|psalm]]".<ref>Entry on {{Polytonic|ὕμνος}}, Liddell and Scott, ''[[A Greek-English Lexicon]]'' (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 8th edition 1897, 1985 printing), p. 1849; entry on 'hymnus,' Lewis and Short, ''[[A Latin Dictionary]]'' (Oxford: Clarendon Press 1879, 1987 printing), p. 872.</ref>
== Christian Hymnody ==
Originally modeled on the [[Psalms]] and other poetic passages (commonly referred to as "[[canticles]]") in the Scriptures, hymns are generally directed as praise and worship to [[God]]. Many refer to [[Jesus Christ]] either directly or indirectly.
Since the earliest times, Christians have sung "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs", both in private devotions and in corporate worship ({{bibleverse||Matthew|26:30|nrsv}}; {{bibleverse|1|Cor|14:26|nrsv}}; {{bibleverse||Ephesians|5:19|nrsv}}; {{bibleverse||Colossians|3:16|nrsv}}; {{bibleverse||James|5:13|nrsv}}; cf. {{bibleverse||Revelation|5:8-10|nrsv}}; {{bibleverse||Revelation|14:1-5|nrsv}}).
Christian hymns are often written with special or seasonal themes and these are used on holy days such as [[Christmas]], [[Easter]] and the Feast of [[All Saints]], or during particular seasons such as [[Advent]] and [[Lent]]. Others are used to instill reverence to the [[Holy Bible]] or to celebrate Christian practices such as the [[eucharist]] or [[baptism]]. Some hymns praise or address individual [[saints]], particularly the [[Blessed Virgin Mary]]; such hymns are particularly prevalent in [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodoxy]] and to some extent "High Church" [[Anglicanism]].
A writer of hymns is known as a ''hymnist'' or ''hymnodist'', and the practice of singing hymns is called ''hymnody''; the same word is used for the collectivity of hymns belonging to a particular denomination or period (e.g. "nineteenth century Methodist hymnody" would mean the body of hymns written and/or used by Methodists in the nineteenth century). A collection of hymns is called a ''hymnal''. These may or may not include music. A student of hymnody is called a ''hymnologist'', and the scholarly study of hymns, hymnists and hymnody is [[hymnology]]. The music to which a hymn may be sung is a [[hymn tune]].
In many Evangelical churches, traditional songs are classified as hymns while more contemporary worship songs are not considered hymns. The reason for this distinction is unclear, but according to some it is due to the radical shift of style and devotional thinking that began with the [[Jesus movement]] and [[Jesus music]].
=== Music and accompaniment ===
In ancient and medieval times, [[stringed instruments]] such as the [[harp]], [[lyre]] and [[lute]] were used with psalms and hymns.
Since there is a lack of musical notation in early writings,{{Fact|date=June 2008}} the actual musical forms in the early church can only be surmised. During the Middle Ages a rich hymnody developed in the form of [[Gregorian chant]] or plainsong. This type was sung in unison, in one of eight [[Musical mode#Church modes|Church modes]], and most often by monastic choirs. While they were written originally in [[Latin]], many have been translated; a familiar example is the 4th century ''[[Of the Father's Heart Begotten]]'' sung to the 11th century plainsong ''Divinum Mysterium''.
====Western church====
Later hymnody in the [[Western church]] introduced four-part vocal [[harmony]] as the norm, adopting major and minor keys, and came to be led by [[organ (music)|organ]] and choir. It shares many elements with [[European classical music|classical music]].
Today, except for choirs, more musically inclined congregations and [[a cappella]] congregations, hymns are typically sung in unison. In some cases complementary full settings for organ are also published, in others organists and other accompanists are expected to transcribe the four-part vocal score for their instrument of choice.
[[contemporary worship|Contemporary Christian worship]], as often found in [[Evangelicalism]] and [[Pentecostalism]] may include the use of [[contemporary worship music]] played with [[electric guitar]]s and the [[drum kit]], sharing many elements with [[rock music]].
Other groups of Christians have historically excluded instrumental accompaniment, citing the absence of instruments in worship by the church in the first several centuries of its existence, and adhere to an unaccompanied [[a cappella]] congregational singing of hymns. These groups include the 'Brethren' (often both 'Open' and 'Exclusive'), the [[Churches of Christ]], [[Primitive Baptists]], and certain Reformed churches such as the [[Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900)|Free Church of Scotland (Presbyterian)]], although during the last century or so, several of these have reviewed and revised this stance.
====Eastern church====
Accompaniment is generally absent in worship by [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] congregations.
=== The development of Christian hymnody ===
[[Thomas Aquinas]], in the introduction to his commentary on the Psalms, defined the Christian hymn thus: "''Hymnus est laus Dei cum cantico; canticum autem exultatio mentis de aeternis habita, prorumpens in vocem''." ("A hymn is the praise of God with song; a song is the exultation of the mind dwelling on eternal things, bursting forth in the voice.")<ref>{{cite web
| last = Aquinas
| first = Thomas
| authorlink = Thomas Aquinas
| title = St. Thomas's Introduction to his Exposition of the Psalms of David
| url=http://www4.desales.edu/~philtheo/loughlin/ATP/Proemium.html
| accessdate = 2008-02-08 }}</ref>
The [[Protestant Reformation]] resulted in two conflicting attitudes to hymns. One approach, the [[regulative principle of worship]], favoured by many Zwinglians, Calvinists and other radical reformers, considered anything that was not directly authorised by the Bible to be a novel and Catholic introduction to worship, which was to be rejected. All hymns that were not direct quotations from the bible fell into this category. Such hymns were banned, along with any form of instrumental musical accompaniment, and organs were ripped out of churches. Instead of hymns, biblical psalms were chanted, most often without accompaniment, to very basic melodies. This was known as [[exclusive psalmody]]. Examples of this may still be found in various places, including the "free churches" of western Scotland.
The other Reformation approach, the [[normative principle of worship]], produced a burst of hymn writing and congregational singing. [[Martin Luther]] is notable not only as a reformer, but as the author of many hymns including ''Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott'' (''[[A Mighty Fortress Is Our God]]'') which is sung today even by Roman Catholics. Luther and his followers often used their hymns, or chorales, to teach tenets of the faith to worshipers. The earlier English writers tended to paraphrase biblical text, particularly [[Psalm]]s; [[Isaac Watts]] followed this tradition, but is also credited as having written the first English hymn which was not a direct paraphrase of Scripture.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Wilson-Dickson
| first = Andrew
| title = The Story of Christian Music
| publisher = Lion, [[SPCK]]
| location = Oxford
| date = 1992
| pages = 110-111
| isbn = 0281046263 }}</ref>
Later writers took even more freedom, some even including [[allegory]] and [[metaphor]] in their texts.
[[Charles Wesley]]'s hymns spread Methodist [[theology]], not only within Methodism, but in most Protestant churches. He developed a new focus: expressing one's personal feelings in the relationship with God as well as the simple worship seen in older hymns. Wesley wrote:
:''Where shall my wondering soul begin?''
:''How shall I all to heaven aspire?''
:''A slave redeemed from death and sin,''
:''A brand plucked from eternal fire,''
:''How shall I equal triumphs raise,''
:''Or sing my great deliverer's praise.''
Wesley's contribution, along with the [[Second Great Awakening]] in [[United States|America]] led to a new style called gospel, and a new explosion of sacred music writing with [[Fanny Crosby]], [[Lina Sandell]], [[Philip Bliss]], [[Ira D. Sankey]], and others who produced testimonial music for revivals, camp meetings, and evangelistic crusades. The tune style or form is technically designated "gospel songs" as distinct from hymns. Gospel songs generally include a refrain (or chorus) and usually (though not always) a faster tempo than the hymns. As examples of the distinction, "[[Amazing Grace]]" is a hymn (no refrain), but "[[How Great Thou Art (hymn)|How Great Thou Art]]" is a gospel song. During the 19th century the gospel-song genre spread rapidly in Protestantism and, to a lesser but still definite extent, in Roman Catholicism; the gospel-song genre is unknown in the worship ''per se'' by Eastern Orthodox churches, which rely exclusively on traditional chants (a type of hymn).
[[African-American]]s developed a rich hymnody from [[spiritual (music)|spiritual]]s during times of slavery to the modern, lively black gospel style.
The [[Methodist Revival]] of the eighteenth century created an explosion of hymn writing in [[Welsh language|Welsh]], which continued into the first half of the nineteenth century. The most prominent names among Welsh hymn-writers are [[William Williams Pantycelyn]] and [[Ann Griffiths]]. The second half of the nineteenth century witnessed an explosion of hymn tune composition and choir singing in [[Wales]].
Along with the more classical sacred music of composers ranging from [[Mozart]] to [[Monteverdi]], the [[Roman Catholic Church]] continued to produce many popular hymns such as [[Lead, Kindly Light]], [[Silent Night]], [[O Sacrament Divine]] and [[Faith of our Fathers]].
Many churches today use [[contemporary worship music]] which includes a range of styles often influenced by [[popular music]]. This often leads to some conflict between older and younger congregants (see [[contemporary worship]]). This is not new; the Christian [[Contemporary Christian Music|pop music]] style began in the late 1960s and became very popular during the 1970s, as young hymnists sought ways in which to make the music of their religion relevant for their generation.
This long tradition has resulted in a wide variety of hymns. Some modern churches include within hymnody the traditional hymn (usually describing God), [[contemporary worship music]] (often directed to God) and [[gospel music]] (expressions of one's personal experience of God). This distinction is not perfectly clear; and purists remove the second two types from the classification as hymns. It is a matter of debate, even sometimes within a single congregation, often between revivalist and traditionalist movements.
===Hymn meters===
{{main|Meter (hymn)}}
The ''meter'' indicates the number of syllables for the lines in each [[stanza]] of a [[hymn]]. This provides a means of marrying the hymn's text with an appropriate [[hymn tune]] for singing.
In practice many hymns conform to one of a relatively small number of meters (syllable patterns).
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==See also==
*[[List of Hymnals]]
*[[List of Chinese Hymn Books]]
*[[Carol (music)|Carol]]
*[[Chorale]]
*[[Doxology]]
*[[Metrical psalter]]
*[[Psalm]]
*[[Contemporary worship music]]
*[[Shape note]]
*[[Sacred Harp]]
*[[Vedic Chant]]
*[[Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland]]
*[[Hymn Society in the United States and Canada]]
==External links==
The links below are to either material that is either historical or resources that are non-denominational or inter-denominational. Denomination-specific resources are mentioned from the relevant denomination-specific articles.
* [http://www.thehymnsociety.org/index.html The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada]
* [http://www.hymnsocietygbi.org.uk/ The Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland]
* [http://hymnal.oremus.org Oremus Hymnal]
* [http://www.cyberhymnal.org The Cyber Hymnal] — a useful resource for biographical information of hymn writers and composers
* [http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Index.html Examples of Byzantine Music Hymns] — 2000 pages of hymns in both staff and neumatic notation
* [http://st-takla.org/Multimedia/_Multimedia-index.html Examples of Coptic Orthodox Music of Egypt] — Saint Takla Haymanout the Ethiopian Church, Alexandria - Egypt
* [http://www.namethathymn.com/hymn-lyrics-detective-forum Name That Hymn Discussion Board] — active discussion board where users help others locate lost hymn lyrics
{{Christian music articles}}
{{clr}}
[[Category:Religious music]]
[[Category:Christian songs]]
[[Category:Song forms]]
[[Category:Hymnology]]
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