Hymn
In the Bible, a "hymn" refers to a song of praise directed toward God, often expressing worship, adoration, and thanksgiving. The term is derived from the Greek word "hymnos," which denotes a song of praise or a sacred song. Hymns played a significant role in both individual and communal worship practices in ancient Israel and the early Christian church. For example, the Book of Psalms, which is essentially a collection of hymns, contains numerous songs that celebrate God's attributes, acts, and promises (Psalm 95:1-2; Psalm 100:1-5).In the New Testament, hymns are mentioned as part of the worship practices of the early Christians. In Ephesians 5:19, believers are encouraged to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit." Additionally, Colossians 3:16 emphasizes the importance of teaching and admonishing one another through hymns, indicating their role in building up the faith community. Jesus and His disciples also sang a hymn after the Last Supper (Matthew 26:30), which highlights the significance of hymns in the life of Jesus and the early church. Overall, hymns serve as a powerful means of expressing devotion and fostering a spirit of worship among believers.