Hymn
A hymn is a religious song of worship in Christianity, or a sacred song. Collections of hymns are known as hymnals.
Overview
Hymns are often sung by the entire group at a church. They are sometimes sung only by a special group called a choir. A piano or organ often plays the music while people sing. Most hymns are written in a four-part harmony, often employing a common meter. Thus, they tend to have a traditional sound. [1]
History
Many early hymns were taken from the Psalms. Later hymns included ideas from other parts of the Bible. Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley wrote many hymns. In more modern times, Fanny Crosby wrote many more. Some hymns are prayers to God. Others preach about God. Songs describing God or how people relate to Him are also called gospels rather than hymns.
Examples
One of the most popular hymns is Amazing Grace, which was written by John Newton (1725 – 1807) who became a Christian as he aged. The hymn tells how God saved him from sin though he saw himself as unworthy of it.[2] This is an example of God's grace.
Hymn Media
Arvid Liljelund's Man Singing Hymn (1884)
In Christianity, church congregations often sing hymns together as part of their worship (Pictured: worshippers at Uffington Parish Church in England, 1944)
Hymns are often accompanied by organ music
Sanskrit manuscript page from the "Vivaha sukta" Rigveda, dated 1500–1200 BCE
Related pages
References
- ↑ Eskew; McElrath (1980). Sing with Understanding, An Introduction to Christian Hymnology. Broadman Press. ISBN 0-8054-6809-9.
- ↑ "Amazing Grace How Sweet the Sound", Dictionary of American Hymnology. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
