A hymn is a song of praise addressed to God, usually written in verses set to a tune a congregation can sing together. The word comes from the Greek hymnos, meaning a song of praise.

Are hymns in the Bible?

Yes. The Psalms were Israel's songbook, the New Testament preserves early Christian hymns within its letters, and the Gospels record that Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn on the night before his crucifixion (Matthew 26:30).

What is the difference between a hymn and a worship song?

Hymns are traditionally marked by their focus on God and their rich, teaching-filled verses, often in an older poetic form. The line between hymns and modern worship songs is not sharp, and both exist to praise God and teach the faith.

Beauty and Christ

What Are Hymns?

A hymn is a song of praise addressed to God, usually written in verses set to a tune that a congregation can sing together. Hymns are as old as the faith itself: the Bible is full of them, and Christians have written and sung them in every century since. They teach the truths of the faith in a form the heart can carry and remember.

What a hymn is, and where it comes from

The word hymn comes from the Greek hymnos, a song of praise. The Bible itself is a hymnbook in part: the Psalms were Israel’s songs, and the New Testament preserves early Christian hymns woven into its letters. The Gospels record that Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn on the night before he died.

“And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”

Matthew 26:30

Across history the great hymn writers, from Ambrose in the fourth century to Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, and Fanny Crosby, gave the Church songs that still shape how believers pray and believe. A hymn is usually distinguished by its focus on God and its rich, teaching-filled lyrics; but the line between hymns and other worship songs is not a hard one, and the point of all of them is the same.

What they point to

Hymns endure because truth set to music sinks deeper than truth spoken. A grieving person who cannot pray can often still sing. Scripture urges believers to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, teaching one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.

“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.”

Colossians 3:16

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

Ephesians 5:19

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Come and see

Beauty is a door, never a trick. The cathedrals, the hymns, and the long roads of pilgrimage were all made by people who had first found something, or Someone, worth the labour of a lifetime. If the beauty draws you, follow it to its source. The living Christ it points toward is not an argument to win but a Person to meet, and he still draws near to everyone who comes to him with an open heart. The Gospel of John is a gentle place to begin.

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Jesus Christ is Lord.

Frequently asked questions

What is a hymn?: A hymn is a song of praise addressed to God, usually written in verses set to a tune a congregation can sing together. The word comes from the Greek hymnos, meaning a song of praise.
Are hymns in the Bible?: Yes. The Psalms were Israel's songbook, the New Testament preserves early Christian hymns within its letters, and the Gospels record that Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn on the night before his crucifixion (Matthew 26:30).
What is the difference between a hymn and a worship song?: Hymns are traditionally marked by their focus on God and their rich, teaching-filled verses, often in an older poetic form. The line between hymns and modern worship songs is not sharp, and both exist to praise God and teach the faith.

Explore furtherThe great hymns Why Christians sing Sacred music and worship All of Beauty and Christ