Hymns As Poetry In Worship

The most common use of poetry in worship is the singing of poems as hymns. Despite their common use, however, hymn texts are rarely thought of in terms of their poetic qualities. Yet hymn writers are among the finest wordsmiths the church has known. Appreciating their art enriches the experience of all who sing. Hymns are usually seen as low art and sub-zero theology. Theologians file them under "music. " Literature departments file them nowhere. C. S. Lewis detested them. John Ruskin described hymns of his own day as "half-paralytic, half profane," consisting partly of the expression of what the singers never in their lives felt, or attempted to feel, and partly in the address of prayers to God, which nothing could more disagreeably astonish them than His attending to. I want to suggest that at its best, the hymn is a complex minor art form, combining theology, poetry, and music. As such it merits attention from theologians and artists alike. But first I must admit the truth in th…