The Christian hymn ... is a form of words appropriate to be sung or chanted in public devotions.
A hymn is to be sung by a congregation. Its message must be simple, not subtle. It must read well and sing well. In modern usage, the hymn is not limited to the praise of God but includes other moods of worship such as resignation and consecration.
2. The Beginnings of Christian Song.
Hymn singing has always been associated with Christian worship. Jesus and the Twelve sang a hymn, presumably a portion of the Hallel (Ps. 115-118), after the Supper was ended. Paul and Silas sang hymns, “songs of the night,” during the midnight hours of their imprisonment in Philippi. The great Apostle recognized the value of song when he exhorted the churches thus:
Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Eph. 5:18, 19.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col. 3:16.
I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. I Cor. 14:15.
The Jewish converts who at first composed the church had a rich heritage of song in the Book of Psalms. This was their hymnbook, used in the Temple worship and in the home and probably also in the synagogue services. The use of the Psalms, carried over from the Jewish service, forms to this day an important element in Christian worship.
Besides the Psalms, the early church sang the nativity lyrics that adorn the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. It also made extensive use of Hallelujah as a part of the people’s praise, adding, in the course of time, the Gloria Patri, the Sanctus, the Te Deum, and other canticles.
The nativity hymns in Luke, five in all, are extensively used in Roman Catholic and Anglican services.
Ave Maria (Hail Mary). 1:28-29, 42-45. The salutation of Gabriel and of Elizabeth.
Magnificat. “My soul doth magnify the Lord....” 1:46-55. Hymn of the Virgin Mary.
Benedictus. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel....” 1:68-79. Song of Zacharias.
Nunc Dimittis. “Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace.” 2:29-32. Song of Simeon.
Gloria in excelsis. “Glory to God in the highest....” 2:14. Song of the Angels. Used as a part of the Roman mass and often found in Protestant hymns, e.g., “Angels we have heard on high” [82].