Church Music

The Role of Hymns in Church Music

For many centuries hymns have had a central place in church music.  Hymn tunes are crafted to be easy to sing by everyone.  By using rhythmic repetition, limited vocal range and small melodic intervals  these songs  become very singable tunes.  Hymn lyrics are also very regular and most have a consistent rhyming pattern.  Many of the most favorite hymns have endured the test of time to become dear to many a churchgoer's heart. Songs like "Amazing Grace", "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", "Silent Night" and "Beyond The Sunset" all fit this category.

Hymns are central to worship

The hymn is the primary means of musical expression and worship for the congregation. Because singing hymns involves the intellectual, emotional and physical effort this form of spiritual expression is very intense. When done properly the experience is magnificantly uplifting. When joined together in song the congregation really does function as a whole, as a unified body singing praises and worshipping God.

Hymns tunes as instrumental music

People in the church will recognize hundreds of hymn melodies. This familiarity is the basis for using hymn tunes for instrumental music. Many fine arrangements of hymn tunes are available from most sacred music publishers. With some training and practice most church musicians can learn to improvise on hymn tunes. The listeners will connect mentally with these, thinking of the words they sing and maybe sing along quietly as the songs are being played.

Hymns teach truths

The personal involvement that hymn singing produces opens the mind to learning the spiritual truths as they are being sung.  Think of  the many Bible texts that we know best because they were put into song. The careful use of hymns for learning is a painless, rather even enjoyable way to gain knowledge of scriptural principles and church doctrine.

Hymns promote positive feelings

As we express our love, gratitude, devotion and respect towards God, we enter a positive state of mind. Once in this mode we can begin emotional healing and renewal as well as release of feelings which are hard to express through speech alone. Hearing many others also rendering these positive expressions also encourages the same positive feelings within our being. We can reach a higher level of worship experience through just a simple hymn.  

Recommended Reading

Great Hymns of the Faith-Blue

Unceasing Worship: Biblical Perspectives on Worship and the Arts