Essay Sample on Christian Hymnody: Expressing Worship & Praise to God

What is Christian hymnody? Refers to the composition of religious hymns formed to enable a specific purpose of prayer. People use hymns to honour and worship Almighty God. Mainly hymns are used to adore and praise God. Just like reading scriptures or preaching, hymns also helps people encounter the true Living God (Karim, 2017). This paper entails the importance and purpose of hymnody in Christianity.

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Christians use music to worship and praise the living God. Worshipping entails Expressing of affections which are evoked after encountering the Living and True God. The Bible refers to God as the spirit. Therefore, Christians that worship Him, glorify Him through the spirit and truth. Hence, truth and spirit are elements of worship. Hymns express the true nature of God to Christians, which leads to expression of affections (Morehouse, 2017).

Music helps Christians express their affection spiritually. The Bible explains music as the language of articulating emotions in Christians hearts when words are not sufficient. Hymns enable Christians to acquire emotional communication that helps them understand the true nature of their Creator. The language allows for believers' heart to link with God spiritually. Hence hymns help Christians to connect with God spiritually (Karim, 2017) effectively.

Songs help Christians to be filled with holy spirits. The Holy book says that there is an excellent connection between singing and the holy spirit. Through singing, Christians' heart enters to a fellowship with God. They are hence ensuring the manifestation of the holy spirit - the religion emphasis on singing of hymns from the heart (Morehouse, 2017). Thus, establishing a spiritual fellowship between Christians and the Lord when singing.

Hymns use strophic form. It is also known as verse form and is the most shared form. Verse form uses repetitive and AAA structure. Religion hymns use the strophic form to repeatedly evoke the holy spirit and enable Christian to connect with the Lord. For instance, "Amazing Grace" is one of the hymns that use the strophic form.

Furthermore, religion hymns use rondo form also, referred to as ABACABA. The music form has sections which usually returns to section A. However, a new entity added between A as the section proceeds. The different parts are known as episodes, and the primary theme referred to as refrain. Rondo form is rhythmic and repetitive sounding lively to listen (Otto, 2016).

More so, hymns can express in arch form. It entails ABCBA whereby it consists of new materials after the three parts. After the third section, the song moves in a reverse direction. Later, it passes through B material and eventually concludes at the main theme A. As the music playback, the song can maintain rhythm if the thematic material is constant.

The binary form is one of the ways hymns are used in complex music formulation. It involves section A and B, whereby each part contains different context although closely related. Identification of contrasting materials helps to differentiate binary hymns from other forms. There are two types of binary form, namely; Simple, Rounded binary.

Also, hymns may use the ternary form or the ABA structure. The way starts with a central theme, then contrasting material and main theme returns at the end. Round binary and ternary form are alike; however, in ternary, the last content works independently. Also, it is a recap of the primary theme, which varies through rhythms. Furthermore, the mood is a crucial characteristic of the ABA structure. The first section may differ in the mood example; be quick than the second part (Karim, 2017).

Christians across the universe sing different hymns to worship their Creator. Songs reveal the true testimony of God and bring believers close to Him through spirit intervention. The following are some examples of hymns encountered and their value to the Christian community.

Amazing Grace, by John Newton. The hymn is famous and well known by Christians. It entails words like, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me." The song was written by Newton who referred to himself as a "wretch" due to his wicked ways. Newton was a slave trader, immoral man. In spite of his way of life, God saved him from intense waves after pleading for forgiveness (Morehouse, 2017). Hence, the song teaches that God is Lord of mercy and does not matter your situation as long as you believe in Him.

Another song encountered is Holy, Holy, Holy, by Reginald Heber. The song came from Isaiah vision of Angels singing and praising Lord Almighty. Heber composed the song after God's holiness was in his heart, during his ministry in England. The song entails holiness of the Lord as the whole universe is filled with His glory. The hymn is famous, and God uses the song to reveal His true holiness to His followers (Otto, 2016).

In conclusion, hymns should be used by all Christians to praise and worship God. Hymns help believers link with their Creator by evoking their emotions which recognize the true nature of Almighty Lord. Also, songs help Christians to spiritually bond with the true Living God. Therefore, hymnody should be practised by all Christians as it plays a significant role in a deep relationship with God.

References

Karim, A. (2017). Hermeneutics of Hymnody: A Comprehensive and Integrated Approach to Understanding Hymns by Scotty Wayne Gray. Notes, 73(3), 554-556. Retrieved from https://muse.jhu.edu/article/647945/summary

Morehouse, K. H. (2017, September). " They're Playing Our Song": Functions of Western Hymns and Indigenous Songs in the History of the Non-Western Church, with a Case Study of the Maninka People in Kankan, Guinea. In Global Forum on Arts and Christian Faith (Vol. 5, No. 1). Retrieved from http://www.artsandchristianfaith.org/index.php/journal/article/view/34

Otto, J. D. (2016). Teaching the Truth and Defending the Faith: Theological Themes in the Hymns of St. Ambrose. Retrieved from https://essays.wls.wels.net/handle/123456789/4254