Todays Covenant WORD is: Hymn - A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word hymn derives from Greek ὕμνος (hymnos), which means a song of praise. Collections of hymns are known as hymnals or hymn books. Originally modeled on the Psalms and other poetic passages (commonly referred to as canticles) in the Scriptures, Christian hymns are generally directed as praise to the monotheistic God. Many refer to Christ Jesus either directly or indirectly. Since the earliest times, Christians have sung psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, both in private devotions and in corporate worship (Matthew 26:30; I Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13; Revelation 5:8-10; Revelation 14:1-5). One definition of a hymn is ...a lyric poem, reverently and devotionally conceived, which is designed to be sung and which expresses the worshippers attitude toward God or Gods purposes in human life. It should be simple and metrical in form, genuinely emotional, poetic and literary in style, spiritual in quality, and in its ideas so direct and so immediately apparent as to unify a congregation while singing it. Christian hymns are often written with special or seasonal themes and these are used on holy days such as Christmas or Easter. A writer of hymns is known as a hymnist or hymnodist, and the practice of singing hymns is called hymnody; the same word is used for the collectivity of hymns belonging to a particular denomination or period.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Feb 2014 17:49:19 +0000