Hymn

A hymn is a specific type of song used for prayer or adoration. It is often addressed to a deity or a prominent personification. The term comes from the Greek word *hymnos*, meaning a song of praise. People who write these songs are called hymndists. The practice of composing or singing them is known as hymnody. When these songs are collected together, they are found in books called hymnals, hymn books, or hymnaries.

Hymns function through poetic and musical expression to unify a congregation. A common definition describes a hymn as a lyric poem that is reverently conceived. It is designed to be sung and expresses a worshipper's attitude toward God. To be effective, a hymn should be simple and metrical in form. It should also be poetic and spiritual in quality. This allows the ideas to be direct so that many people can sing together as one.

There are many different styles and types of hymnody across the world. In the Western Christian tradition, hymns can be sung in unison or with four-part vocal harmony. Some groups use major and minor keys to create different moods. In Eastern Christian traditions, such as the Byzantine Rite, chant is often used for worship. If they do not sing *a cappella*, which means unaccompanied by instruments, they might use a drone called an *ison*. Other traditions use specific percussion, like the cymbals and triangle in Coptic traditions. In India, sacred hymns are known as *stotras*.

The history of hymns reaches back into deep antiquity. Some of the oldest surviving literary texts include the Sumerian Kesh temple hymn. Ancient Egypt produced the Great Hymn to the Aten, composed by Pharaoh Akhenaten. The *Rigveda* is a famous Indian collection of Vedic hymns. In Greece, the *Homeric Hymns* date back to the 7th century BC. The *Orphic Hymns* consist of 87 short poems from Greek religion. Even the Bible contains the Book of Psalms, which is a collection of sacred songs.

Musical accompaniment has changed significantly over many centuries. In ancient and medieval times, people used string instruments like the harp, lyre, or lute. During the Middle Ages, a style called Gregorian chant or plainsong developed. This was often sung in unison by monastic choirs. Later, the organ became a primary instrument in Western churches.

Today, some contemporary worship music uses electric guitars and drum kits. However, some denominations, like the Mennonites or Brethren, have historically preferred to sing without any instruments at all.

Significant historical shifts, such as the Protestant Reformation, changed how hymns were used. Some reformers followed the regulative principle of worship. This view held that only songs directly authorized by the Bible should be used. This led to exclusive psalmody, where only biblical psalms were chanted. Other reformers followed the normative principle of worship. This approach encouraged new hymn-writing. Martin Luther was a major figure in this movement. He wrote famous hymns like "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

Hymns serve many social and religious purposes in modern life. They are often written for specific seasons, such as Christmas, Easter, or Lent. Some hymns are used to celebrate special blessings, like the election of a pope. They can also be used to honor individual saints, which is common in Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Whether through ancient chants or modern melodies, hymns remain a way for people to express deep devotion and find community through song.