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What are hymns? What is the value of hymns in worship?

What are hymns? What is the value of hymns in worship?
Restoration The Church Church

TL;DR:

Hymns are songs that are part of a worship service and that communicate biblical truths in a memorable and poetic way. Singing hymns in a church setting can also help a community of believers grow in unity as they praise God and affirm His truth as one body.

what does the bible say?

Music, including corporate singing, has many benefits. An example of music having a soothing effect is when David plays a lyre in the presence of King Saul when he is being tormented by a harmful spirit (1 Samuel 16:23). Music not only soothes our souls, but corporate singing actually aligns our minds and bodies too. “Hymns” as far back as Psalm 135 call for a communal type of worship. The ultimate purpose of hymns is to make known who God is and what He has done (Psalm 145:4, 10-12). Setting deep doctrinal truths to singable and memorable songs makes it easier to remember certain truths. The New Testament shows that Jesus and His disciples sung a hymn together in Matthew 26:30. In some of Paul’s letters, he encouraged churches to sing hymns, and he and Silas modeled the right attitude of joy in all circumstances by singing hymns while imprisoned (Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16; Acts 16:25). Hymns help edify the congregation, reflect a believers’ joy in the Lord, and unite the congregation in glorifying God.

from the old testament

  • David used music to soothe King Saul when he was tormented: "Whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him" (1 Samuel 16:23).
  • Psalms like Psalm 135 call for everyone present to praise the LORD together: "Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD, give praise, O servants of the LORD, who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God! Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!" (Psalm 135:1-3). Corporate worship is pleasant indeed.
  • More important than music's soothing effects or corporate singing's ability to create belonging within a group, are the truths the songs declare. Psalm 145 says, "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. … All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom" (Psalm 145:4, 10-12).

from the new testament

  • Even Jesus and His apostles sang hymns together ( Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26).
  • Paul encouraged believers in Ephesus to reject celebrations that include dishonoring actions and instead, find joy in singing as an overflow of the Spirit: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Ephesians 5:18-19).
  • Paul puts singing hymns alongside dwelling on God’s word, suggesting a connection between the two: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). Good hymns celebrate truths about God.
  • Paul and Silas sang hymns in prison, showing that they found joy in the Lord even under the most trying circumstances (Acts 16:25). The passage indicates that “the prisoners were listening to them” as they sang, making hymns part of Paul and Silas’ powerful witness for Christ (Acts 16:25).

implications for today

​​A hymn is a type of song used in Christian worship that is normally sung by the entire congregation. The word comes from the Greek word hymnos that simply means "song of praise," so any song that extols the attributes of any person, place, or thing could be considered a hymn. However, in popular vernacular, a hymn normally is metrical, has multiple stanzas, and communicates deep doctrine whereas a praise and worship song may be more repetitive and might focus more on expressing our own love or gratitude toward God than on communicating truths about who He is or how He has provided salvation. Both types of songs can be useful for churches.

The Bible book of Psalms is a collection of songs and poems, some that express human emotion and some that focus more on God's divine attributes. These Psalms have been used in corporate worship since biblical times and show the value of including hymns during worship.

Whether the hymn is ancient or contemporary, it should bring glory to God by declaring the truth of who He is and what He has done in a way that builds up the congregation into a more mature faith.

understand

  • Hymns are songs sung during worship service that communicate doctrinal truths.
  • Many ancient hymns are found in the book of Psalms.
  • Hymns help to edify the congregation and unify them in worship.

reflect

  • What role does music play in your life?
  • In what ways do you appreciate and are encouraged by hymns?
  • What doctrinal truths have been crystallized in your mind because of hymns?

engage

  • How can we encourage the right attitude during hymn singing so it does not become purely tradition?
  • How can hymns edify believers?
  • How might churches satisfy different generational preferences about hymns while still maintaining their purpose to edify congregants and glorify God?

More Resources

Church What is the importance of corporate worship?

What is the importance of corporate worship?

Corporate worship unites believers to glorify God together and strengthens faith. Gathering as one body reflects heaven’s worship and reminds us that we grow best in God’s presence—together.
Culture Is contemporary Christian music honoring to God?

Is contemporary Christian music honoring to God?

Contemporary Christian music is a broad category of Christian music. Style doesn’t determine holiness—biblical lyrics, a focus on God, and a desire for genuine worship does.
Church Can we use musical instruments in church?

Can we use musical instruments in church?

The Bible neither commands nor forbids musical instruments in church, though the Old Testament shows they were used in worship. While some oppose instruments due to their absence in the New Testament, instruments can be used to glorify God and enhance worship.
Church Exclusive psalmody – What is it?

Exclusive psalmody – What is it?

Exclusive psalmody is when a church only allows the Psalms to be used in worship. God-honoring songs beyond the Psalms are both biblical and welcome.