HYMN

A song of adoration. It is certain from Holy Scripture, that the Christians were wont to sing hymns in the apostles’ time; and it is probable that St. Ignatius appointed them to be sung by each side of the choir. It is probable also that the place of these hymns was, as now, after the le ons: for St. Ambrose notes, that as, after one angel had published the gospel, a multitude joined with him in praising God , so, when one minister hath read the gospel, all the people glorify God . The same appears to have been the custom from St. Augustine, and from a constitution of the Council of Laodicea, in the year 365. As for the particular hymns of our Church, they are, as of old in the primitive Church, generally taken out of Scripture; yet as they also made use of some hymns not found in Scripture, so do we. Hymns may be said to consist of three kinds: (1.) Metrical, such as were in use in the daily service of the unreformed Church. Of this kind there is but one formally authorized by the Church of England, viz. the Veni Creator . (2.) Canticles, appointed to be said or sung in the daily service, and divided into verses, and pointed, like the Psalms. The Te Deum , and the Benedictus , are so expre ly called in the Prayer Book; and such by implication are the Benedicite , (called a canticle,) the Magnificat , and Nunc Dimittis . (3.) Those portions of the Communion Service which are appointed to be said or sung, but not arranged like the Canticles: as the Tersanctus , and the Gloria in Excels is . St. Paul (Eph. v. 19, and Col. iii. 16) speaks of psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs. The first of these words would seem to refer to the mizmor , or psalm, properly so called; the second to the tehikah , or jubilant song of praise; the last to the shir , or song; all of which words occur both in the titles, and the text, of the Book of Psalms. (See Song .)