Hymn
A hymn is a song specifically written as a song of praise, adoration or prayer, typically addressed to a god.
A writer of hymns is known as a hymnist or hymnodist, and the process of singing a hymn 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). Books called hymnals are collections of hymns, which may or may not include music.
Ancient hymns include the Great Hymn to the Aten, composed by the pharaoh Akhenaten, and the Vedas, a collection of hymns in the tradition of Hinduism. The Western tradition of hymnody begins with Homer, who is given credit for the Homeric Hymns in praise of the gods of Greek mythology.
Christian tradition
In Christian religions, hymns are usually directed toward God, or, in Catholicism and other denominations, also to Mary and sometimes to other Saints. Most Christian worship services have, since the earliest times, incorporated the singing of hymns, either by the congregation or by a selected choir, often accompanied by an organ. This long tradition has resulted in a rich lode of hymns. It should be noted that within certain modern Christian musical traditions, especially in many Baptist churches, a distinction is made between praise songs and hymns. This distinction is not perfectly clear; however it is a matter of much debate, even sometimes within a single congregation, between revivalist and traditionalist movements.
Some Christian hymnists and their more well known hymns are:
- Thomas Aquinas : Pange Lingua
- Thomas of Celaeno : Dies Iræ
- William Cowper : There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood
- Fanny Crosby : To God be the Glory and 8,000 others
- Johann Gerhardt : O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
- Martin Luther : A Mighty Fortress is Our God
- John Newton : Amazing Grace
- Isaac Watts : When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- Charles Wesley : Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
- John Greenleaf Whittier : Dear Lord and Father of mankind
- Joseph M. Scriven : What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Christian hymns were traditionally written in four-part vocal harmony. Today, except for choirs and more musically inclined congregations, hymns are typically sung in unison. In some cases complementary full settings for organ are also published, in others, organists and other accompiansts are expected to mentally transcribe the four-part vocal score for their instrument of choice.