Explanation: The fundamental purpose of a hymn is to serve as a musical expression of adoration, prayer, devotion, or reverence, typically addressed to a deity or deities.

Explanation: The etymological origin of the term 'hymn' is traced to the ancient Greek word 'hymnos' (ὕμνος), signifying 'a song of praise'.

Explanation: A 'hymnist' is indeed a writer of hymns, and 'hymnody' refers to the practice, art, or collective body of hymns associated with a particular tradition or period.

Explanation: One definition posits that a Christian hymn should be simple, metrical, and genuinely express the worshipper's attitude toward God.

Explanation: Thomas Aquinas defined a Christian hymn as 'the praise of God with song; a song is the exultation of the mind dwelling on eternal things, bursting forth in the voice,' emphasizing both praise and the internal state.

Explanation: Nissim Ezekiel suggested that religious hymns are typically not notable for their poetic quality, although poets with mystical experiences might produce successful religious verse.

Explanation: The primary function of a hymn is to act as a musical vehicle for expressing adoration, prayer, devotion, or reverence, typically directed towards a divine entity.

Explanation: The term 'hymn' is etymologically derived from the ancient Greek word 'hymnos' (ὕμνος), which specifically denotes 'a song of praise'.

Explanation: Hymnody is the term used to describe the practice of singing or composing hymns, or the collective body of hymns associated with a particular tradition.

Explanation: A key characteristic defining a Christian hymn, according to the provided definition, is its expression of the worshipper's attitude toward God.

Explanation: Aquinas' definition highlights the 'exultation of the mind dwelling on eternal things, bursting forth in the voice,' emphasizing the internal spiritual state expressed through song.

Explanation: Nissim Ezekiel suggested that religious hymns are generally not distinguished by their poetic quality, although exceptions may exist for poets with profound mystical experiences.

Explanation: Polyhymnia is recognized as the Greco-Roman goddess of hymns and sacred poetry, representing one of the nine Muses.

Explanation: The Western tradition of hymnody is generally considered to have originated with the Homeric Hymns, a collection of ancient Greek hymns predating early Christian psalms.

Explanation: Church Fathers applied the Greek and Latin terms for hymns to Christian songs of praise, often using them synonymously with 'psalm,' not exclusively for scriptural songs.

Explanation: Several non-scriptural hymns from the Early Church, including 'Te Deum' and 'Phos Hilaron,' remain in use in contemporary Christian worship.

Explanation: The Oxyrhynchus hymn holds particular significance as the earliest known Christian hymn that includes both textual lyrics and musical notation.

Explanation: Polyhymnia is traditionally identified as one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology, specifically presiding over sacred poetry and hymns.

Explanation: The Babylonian Code of Hammurabi is a legal text, not a collection of hymns. The Egyptian Great Hymn to the Aten, the Sumerian Kesh temple hymn, and the Greek Homeric Hymns are all recognized examples of ancient hymns.

Explanation: The text indicates that the Western tradition of hymnody originated with the Homeric Hymns, a collection of ancient Greek hymns.

Explanation: The Church Fathers adopted and applied the Greek term 'hymnos' and the Latin 'hymnus' to Christian songs of praise, frequently equating them with 'psalms'.

Explanation: The hymn 'Te Deum' (We Praise Thee, O God) is cited as one of the early Christian hymns that remains in use in contemporary worship services.

Explanation: The Oxyrhynchus hymn is distinguished by being the earliest known Christian hymn that includes both its lyrics and musical notation.

Explanation: The 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' is sung or recited during Mass after the Kyrie, not at the very beginning of the service.

Explanation: Christian hymns are frequently composed with themes that align with specific seasons (e.g., Advent, Lent) and holy days (e.g., Christmas, Easter) of the church calendar.

Explanation: During the Middle Ages, Western church hymnody was primarily characterized by Gregorian chant (plainsong), which is typically sung in unison, rather than complex polyphony.

Explanation: Contemporary Christian worship music often incorporates modern instrumentation, such as electric guitars and drum kits, diverging from purely traditional hymn styles.

Explanation: Groups including the Primitive Baptists have historically adhered to the practice of unaccompanied congregational singing, known as a cappella.

Explanation: In the Byzantine Rite, organs are generally excluded from liturgical worship; accompaniment, if present, typically involves an 'ison' (drone).

Explanation: The 'normative principle of worship' during the Protestant Reformation encouraged a significant increase in hymn writing and congregational singing, contrasting with the 'regulative principle' which favored exclusive psalmody.

Explanation: Martin Luther was a prolific hymn writer, utilizing his 'chorales,' including 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,' as pedagogical tools to teach religious principles.

Explanation: The first Protestant hymnal was published in Bohemia in 1532 by the Unitas Fratrum, not in England.

Explanation: Isaac Watts is indeed called the 'father of English hymnody,' but his significant contribution was writing the first English hymns not directly based on scripture, moving beyond exclusive psalmody.

Explanation: Charles Wesley's hymns are noted for introducing a greater emphasis on personal feelings and the individual's relationship with God, rather than solely focusing on abstract theological doctrine.

Explanation: Gospel songs generally include a refrain or chorus, and often feature a faster tempo, distinguishing them from many traditional hymns.

Explanation: The Welsh Methodist Revival spurred a significant increase in hymn-writing and singing in Wales, fostering a rich tradition of Welsh hymnody.

Explanation: The Catholic Church has a tradition of hymns composed by notable figures, including Charpentier and Mozart, contributing to its rich musical heritage.

Explanation: The adoption of contemporary worship music has sometimes generated debate and controversy within congregations due to generational differences and differing views on musical styles.

Explanation: The 'singing controversy' among New England Puritans primarily debated the method and harmony of congregational singing, not the use of instrumental accompaniment.

Explanation: William Billings, a notable American singing school teacher, published the first tune book consisting entirely of American musical compositions.

Explanation: Lowell Mason was a musical reformer who advocated for more refined and modern singing styles in American churches, contributing to a shift away from some traditional tunebook practices.

Explanation: While historically associated with rural areas, the Sacred Harp singing tradition has experienced a resurgence and is practiced in various locations, including urban centers, across the US and internationally.

Explanation: African-American hymnody developed from spirituals and was significantly influenced by adaptations of hymns, including those by Isaac Watts, into vernacular English.

Explanation: The 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' is typically sung or recited in the Catholic Mass immediately following the Kyrie.

Explanation: Christian hymns are often composed with specific themes that correspond to the holy days and seasons observed within the church calendar, such as Advent and Lent.

Explanation: During the Middle Ages, Western church hymnody was predominantly characterized by Gregorian chant, a form of unison singing.

Explanation: Contemporary Christian worship music often incorporates instruments such as electric guitars and drum kits, reflecting influences from modern popular music genres.

Explanation: Groups such as the Churches of Christ have historically practiced unaccompanied congregational singing (a cappella).

Explanation: In the Byzantine Rite, chant is central, and while an 'ison' (drone) might be employed, organs are typically excluded from liturgical services.

Explanation: The 'regulative principle of worship' advocated for the exclusive use of biblical psalms and the rejection of non-scriptural hymns and instrumental music in worship.

Explanation: Martin Luther utilized his 'chorales' as a primary means to educate congregations on religious tenets and principles during the Reformation.

Explanation: Isaac Watts is widely acknowledged as the 'father of English hymnody' due to his extensive and influential contributions to the genre.

Explanation: Isaac Watts is credited with composing the first English hymns that were not directly derived from biblical scripture, thereby expanding the scope of congregational singing.

Explanation: Charles Wesley's hymns significantly advanced the expression of personal feelings and the individual's direct relationship with God within congregational worship.

Explanation: Gospel songs are typically characterized by the inclusion of a refrain (chorus) and often possess a faster tempo compared to many traditional hymns.

Explanation: While prominent in Christianity, hymns are also significant practices in other world religions, including Hinduism (as 'stotras') and have roots in ancient Egyptian and Greek cultures.

Explanation: The 'Book of Life' (Zhivotnaya kniga) refers to the oral hymns of the Doukhobors; the first printed hymnal containing these songs was published in 1909.

Explanation: The Rigveda is considered the earliest and most fundamental collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns integral to Hindu tradition.

Explanation: The Bhakti movement significantly elevated the prominence of hymns ('bhajans,' 'kirtans') in local languages, often supplanting Sanskrit literature in devotional practice.

Explanation: The Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, comprises hymns ('Shabad' or 'Gurbani') systematically arranged by musical modes known as 'ragas'.

Explanation: Stotras, Sanskrit hymns of praise, are primarily associated with Hindu and Jain traditions, although they are also present in some Buddhist contexts.

Explanation: Confucius esteemed the 'Classic of Poetry' (Shijing), an ancient collection of Chinese poems and songs, as a vital resource for comprehending ancient Chinese music theory.

Explanation: In early Islam, the use of string, brass, and wind instruments was initially restricted, with only minimal percussion permitted.

Explanation: Qawwali is a form of devotional music primarily prominent in Pakistan and Southeast Asia, not typically India and Sri Lanka.

Explanation: Jain hymns are indeed referred to as 'stavan' or 'bhajan' and are dedicated to praising the Jinas (victors or enlightened beings).

Explanation: The 'Bhaktāmara-stotra' is recognized as a highly popular devotional hymn within Jainism, specifically honoring Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara.

Explanation: 'Zemirot' in Judaism encompasses various forms of songs and hymns, including specific 'Sabbath hymns' sung during meals, which can be rhymed and metrical.

Explanation: Piyyutim, which are rhymed, metrical liturgical poems or hymns, are indeed a significant element within the Sephardic Jewish tradition, frequently incorporated during major festivals.

Explanation: Devotional music and hymns in Judaism are predominantly vocal, with an emphasis on congregational song and the role of the cantor, rather than extensive instrumental accompaniment.

Explanation: Mi-kagura refers to sacral music strictly reserved for the Imperial house and nobility in Shintoism, distinguishing it from more popular rural performances.

Explanation: The Gathas are indeed seventeen sacred hymns attributed to Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism, and are notably arranged into five groups based on their meter.

Explanation: The text indicates that hymnody is a significant practice beyond Christianity, notably on the Indian subcontinent (where hymns are known as 'stotras') and in ancient Egyptian and Greek cultures.

Explanation: The 'Bhaktāmara-stotra' is a highly regarded hymn within the Jain religious tradition, dedicated to the first Tirthankara.

Explanation: Devotional music and hymns in Judaism are primarily vocal, with a strong emphasis placed on congregational singing and the role of the cantor.

Explanation: Shape notes were a system of musical notation predominantly used in American folk and sacred music, particularly during the 19th century, to facilitate sight-reading.

Explanation: Hymn meter specifically refers to the pattern of syllables and stresses within each line of a stanza, not merely the number of lines.

Explanation: Numerical notations like '87.87.87' indicate the syllable count for each line within a hymn's stanza, not the number of lines.

Explanation: An irregular hymn meter is characterized by variations in the metrical pattern between different stanzas within the same hymn, unlike hymns that maintain a consistent pattern.

Explanation: The metrical index within a hymnal serves the crucial function of assisting users in matching hymn texts with suitable musical tunes by referencing their syllable patterns and stress.

Explanation: LM (Long Meter), SM (Short Meter), and CM (Common Meter) are notations that indicate the syllable count per line within a hymn stanza, not the number of verses.

Explanation: 'LM' is the standard abbreviation for Long Meter in hymnody, indicating a stanza structure with 88.88 syllables per line.

Explanation: The metrical index in a hymnal assists users in finding suitable musical tunes for hymn texts by providing information on syllable counts and metrical patterns.

Explanation: LM (Long Meter), SM (Short Meter), and CM (Common Meter) are established notations for hymn meters. 'HM (Hymn Meter)' is not a standard designation.

Explanation: The Hymn Society, operating in the United States and Canada, functions as a key resource center for scholarly information pertaining to hymns and the field of hymnology.

Explanation: Hymnary.org is a comprehensive database offering extensive resources on hymns, including texts, tunes, authors, and composers, not solely musical scores.

Explanation: Hymnary.org functions as a comprehensive database providing a wide array of resources related to hymns, including their texts, musical settings, authors, and composers.