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Library Articles & Resources (16)
Christological Psalms (Biblical)
Early Christian hymnody was influenced by the tradition of psalm singing in the temple. The hymns of the New Testament church served both a doxological and an apologetic function. Introduction In a useful series of essays titled "Modern Issues in Biblical …
Greek And Latin Hymnody
The very word hymn comes from the Greek hymnos, which means a song of praise to a god or hero. Adapting this pagan practice for their own use, early Christians wrote many hymns that have become models for hymn writers over the centuries. The hymns of both earl…
The Setting of Hymns In the Greco-Roman World (Biblical)
Singing hymns to deity was an established practice in the Greco-Roman world long before the emergence of Christianity. Christian hymns differed from pagan hymnody, however, in celebrating a redemptive historical event; they have a "prophetic" quality. With S…
English Hymnody To 1950
Over a period of time the writers of metrical psalms turned to fashioning free paraphrases of psalm texts. Eventually, in the seventeenth century, several English authors began to write hymn texts independent of the specific words of Scripture. Nineteenth-cent…
Poetic Aspects Of Hymnody
Hymns are essentially poems set to music. The following article describes the poetic qualities of hymn texts, defines several of the technical terms used to categorize hymns texts, and then discusses how hymn tunes need to be sensitive to the poetic qualities …
Convergence Worship Description
Convergence worship is the coming together of historic and contemporary worship. This approach to worship follows the fourfold approach to worship, draws on an ancient hymnody, and incorporates contemporary music and other arts. There seems to be a considera…
A History Of Children’s Hymnody
One meaningful way in which children participate in worship is through song, especially through songs written for their unique abilities and interests. Children's hymns have been written for many centuries; studying this history gives us important perspectives…
Music In Evangelical And Pentecostal Hispanic Churches
As in every worshiping tradition, music in Hispanic churches today represents a blend of the old and the new and of indigenous and imported musical styles. This article describes this interplay in Hispanic churches, observing the main genres and accompaniment …
Teaching Hymns To Children
Hymn education is an essential task of the children's music ministry. Good hymn education must be a carefully planned and intentional process. In this article, the author suggests resources and strategies for the children's choir leader or Sunday school teache…
Philosophy Of Music In The Charismatic Tradition
Unique to music in the charismatic worship is what is known as "singing in the Spirit. " This form of music is characterized by a spontaneous response to the work of the Spirit in the worship service. It is based on a theology that emphasizes the dynamic and o…
The Rise Of The Scripture Song
The Scripture song is one of the most popular musical forms used in worship today. Although scriptural texts have been the basis for the church's music throughout its history, recent historical developments have led to unprecedented use of songs based on short…
Music In The Modern Revivalist Tradition
The revivalist tradition is rooted in pietest hymnody. It is characterized by an emphasis on the relationship of Christ (the bridegroom) to the church and to the individual believer (the bride). It is commonly held that Isaac Watts combined most successfully t…
African-american Song
There are considerable resources for black song among African-American denominations and churches that are now widely available for churches in every tradition. This article is especially helpful in describing the different types of songs that have developed f…
Asian-American Song
According to this author's view, there is no distinctive hymnody that prevails in Asian-American churches, but there are certain characteristics and trends that typify these congregations. In providing detailed distinctions among the various Asian groups, this…
Christological Psalms (biblical)
Early Christian hymnody was influenced by the tradition of psalm singing in the temple. The hymns of the New Testament church served both a doxological and an apologetic function. Introduction In a useful series of essays titled "Modern Issues in Biblical S…
The Setting Of Hymns In The Greco-roman World (biblical)
Singing hymns to deity was an established practice in the Greco-Roman world long before the emergence of Christianity. Christian hymns differed from pagan hymnody, however, in celebrating a redemptive historical event; they have a "prophetic" quality. With S…