hymn

A hymn is a song of praise or prayer addressed to a deity, typically sung in a religious setting. The word derives from Latin hymnus, which itself comes from the Greek hymnos for a song of praise. In Christian usage, hymns are congregational songs with lyrics that honor God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit, though the term can apply to religious songs in other traditions as well.

Hymnody has ancient roots in various religious practices, and early Christian worship incorporated songs drawn from psalms and other liturgical sources. Over time, hymn singing evolved from plainchant and chant-like settings to more structured metrical verses. The Protestant Reformation popularized congregational singing and the creation of vernacular hymn texts, and English-language hymn writing became influential through figures such as Isaac Watts, along with later writers like Charles Wesley and Fanny Crosby. In many traditions, hymnals collect the texts and associated musical tunes used in regular worship.

Form and performance of hymns typically involve metrical verse arranged in stanzas, set to a fixed tune. Hymn tunes can be shared among several texts, and many hymns are sung by congregations with varied accompaniment, commonly organ or piano, though choirs and orchestral arrangements appear in larger settings. The pairing of text and melody is a central feature, with meters and rhymes guiding the structure.

Uses and purposes of hymns include instructing doctrine, expressing devotion, and fostering communal identity during worship. Modern hymnody spans traditional hymns, contemporary praise songs, and gospel-influenced works, reflecting diverse musical styles while maintaining the core aim of offering praise, prayer, and reflection in a communal form.