Echoes of Devotion
The Art and History of Hymns: An exploration of sacred songs across cultures and time, from ancient praise to modern expression.
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What is a Hymn?
Definition and Purpose
A hymn is a form of song, often synonymous with a devotional song, specifically crafted for adoration or prayer. Typically, hymns are addressed to a deity or deities, or to a significant personification. The term itself originates from the Greek word hymnos, meaning "a song of praise." The practice of composing and singing hymns is known as hymnody.
Etymology and Practice
The word "hymn" derives from the Greek hymnos (ὕμνος), signifying a song of praise. A writer of hymns is termed a hymnist, and the collective body of hymns is referred to as a hymnal or hymn book. Hymns can be performed with or without instrumental accompaniment. The ancient Greco-Roman goddess of hymns is Polyhymnia.
Global Significance
While most familiar in the context of Christianity, hymns are integral to many world religions, particularly those originating from the Indian subcontinent (where they are known as stotras). Hymns also survive from antiquity, notably from Egyptian and Greek cultures, with some of the earliest notated music being Greek hymns.
Ancient Origins
Early Civilizations
The earliest known hymns include the Sumerian Kesh temple hymn, considered the oldest surviving literary text. Ancient Egypt offers the "Great Hymn to the Aten," attributed to Pharaoh Akhenaten. Other significant early examples include the Hurrian "Hymn to Nikkal," the Indian Rigveda, Chinese poetry from the Classic of Poetry, and the Zoroastrian Gathas.
Greco-Roman Tradition
The Western tradition of hymnody traces its roots to the Homeric Hymns, a collection of ancient Greek poems praising deities, with the earliest dating to the 7th century BC. The Alexandrian poet Callimachus also composed literary hymns around the 3rd century BC. The Orphic Hymns comprise another collection of 87 short poems.
Scriptural Roots
The Biblical Book of Psalms represents a foundational collection of hymns. Early Christian writers adopted the term "hymn" (from Greek hymnos and Latin hymnus) to describe Christian songs of praise, often using it interchangeably with "psalm."
Christian Hymnody
Early Church and Scripture
Initially, Christian hymns were modeled on biblical passages like the Psalms and canticles. Saint Paul encouraged the singing of psalms and hymns for mutual encouragement. Early non-scriptural hymns still sung today include "Phos Hilaron," "Sub tuum praesidium," and "Te Deum."
Liturgical Significance
Hymns like "Te Deum" are sung in various liturgical contexts, such as thanksgiving or during specific feasts. The "Gloria in excelsis Deo" is recited or sung during Mass on Sundays outside of Lent and Advent, and on major feasts, highlighting the central role of hymns in Christian worship.
Defining a Hymn
A hymn can be defined as a lyric poem, conceived with reverence and devotion, intended for singing, and expressing the worshipper's attitude toward God or God's purposes. It should be simple, metrical, emotional, poetic, spiritual, and immediately understandable to unify a congregation.
Denominational Traditions
Hymns are often written with specific themes for holy days (Christmas, Easter) or seasons (Advent, Lent). Some hymns praise saints, particularly the Virgin Mary, prevalent in Catholic, Orthodox, and High Church Anglican traditions. The distinction between traditional hymns and contemporary worship music is a point of discussion in many Evangelical churches.
Music and Accompaniment
Historical Instruments
Historically, string instruments such as the harp, lyre, and lute were used with psalms and hymns. The Western church later adopted four-part vocal harmony, major/minor keys, and organ accompaniment, aligning hymnody with classical music traditions.
Vocal Traditions
While many congregations sing hymns in unison, some traditions, like certain Anabaptist denominations and Churches of Christ, historically practiced unaccompanied a cappella singing, citing early church practices. Eastern Orthodox churches primarily use chant, sometimes with a drone (ison), while excluding most instruments.
Organs and Contemporary Styles
The pipe organ has become a traditional accompaniment in many Western churches. Contemporary Christian worship often incorporates styles influenced by popular music, featuring electric guitars and drum kits, sometimes leading to generational differences in preference.
Hymn Meters
Understanding Meter
Hymn meter refers to the pattern of syllables and stresses in each line of a stanza, crucial for matching the text with a suitable hymn tune. Common meters are often denoted by numerical sequences (e.g., 87.87) or abbreviations like LM (Long Meter, 88.88), SM (Short Meter, 66.86), and CM (Common Meter, 86.86).
Hindu Hymnody
Vedic and Bhakti Traditions
The Rigveda, an ancient Sanskrit collection, is foundational. Hindu hymns, or stotras, gained immense importance during the medieval Bhakti movements. Poet-sants like Kabir, Nanak, and Meera Bai composed devotional songs in local languages, often replacing Sanskrit literature and gaining scriptural status.
Melodic Devotion
Hymns like the "Vivaha sukta" from the Rigveda showcase ancient practices. The Bhakti movement emphasized melodic expressions of devotion, with practices like bhajan and kirtan becoming central. Assamese reformer Sankaradeva is noted for his borgeet songs.
Sikh Hymnody
Gurbani and Guru Granth Sahib
The Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, is a compilation of hymns known as Shabad or Gurbani. These hymns describe God's qualities and the importance of meditating on the divine name. The text is organized by musical settings in different ragas.
Spiritual Guidance
The Guru Granth Sahib is regarded as the ultimate spiritual guide and successor to the Ten Gurus. Its hymns serve as a source and guide for prayer and worship, playing a pivotal role in Sikh religious practice.
Judaism
Zemirot and Piyyutim
Jewish tradition includes Zemirot, or Sabbath hymns sung during meals, and Piyyutim, poetic insertions for festivals and High Holidays. These often originated from the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry, with contributions from figures like Solomon ibn Gabirol and Judah Halevi.
Vocal Emphasis
Devotional music and hymns in Judaism traditionally emphasize vocal performance, particularly the role of the Hazzan (cantor). While instruments like the organ are used in some modern synagogues, the emphasis remains on congregational song and the unique sound of the Shofar during the High Holidays.
Islam
Nasheed and Qawwali
Islamic devotional music includes Nasheed, often performed a cappella or with minimal percussion, and Qawwali, a Sufi tradition popular in Pakistan and Southeast Asia, which may use instruments like the harmonium and tabla.
Modern Adaptations
While traditional Islamic music often adheres to restrictions on instruments, modern artists creatively use studio techniques or genres like hip-hop to convey spiritual messages, reaching new generations of Muslims globally.
Zoroastrianism
The Gathas
The sacred songs attributed to the prophet Zoroaster are known as the Gathas. These seventeen hymns, composed around 1200 BC, are arranged into five groups based on meter and are believed to have been intended as meditative instruments for enlightenment.
Appreciations
Poetry and Devotion
Nissim Ezekiel observed that while poets with mystical experiences can be successful, mystics often write poetry poorly. He noted that religious hymns, despite expressing notable religious sentiment, are not always notably poetic, and a perfect integration of poetry and religion is rare.
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References
References
- Dr. Martin Lutherâs Deutsche Geistliche Lieder. The Hymns of Martin Luther set to their original Melodies with an English version, ed. Leonard Woolsey Bacon and Nathan H. Allen (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1884).
- Music, David. Hymnology A Collection of Source Readings. 1. 1. Lanham MD: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1996.
- Music, David. Hymnology A Collection of Source Readings. 1. 1. Lanham MD: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1996. 179/185â186/192/199/206. Print.
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Important Notice
This content has been generated by an AI and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is based on publicly available data and may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date.
This is not professional advice. The information provided is not a substitute for consultation with religious scholars, musicologists, historians, or other qualified professionals. Always seek expert advice for specific inquiries related to religious practices, musicology, or historical contexts.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.