apparently from a simpler (obsolete) form of (to celebrate; probably akin to ᾄδω; compare עֲבוֹט); a "hymn" or religious ode (one of the Psalms):--hymn.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ὕμνος (hýmnos, `{{G5215}}`) fundamentally signifies a "hymn" or "religious ode." Its base definition points to a root meaning "to celebrate," and it is often considered akin to ᾄδω (adō, `{{G103}}`), "to sing." In classical Greek, a ὕμνος was a song of praise, typically addressed to a god or a hero. In a biblical context, its semantic range is narrowed to sacred songs directed specifically toward God. It represents an expression of adoration, thanksgiving, and glorification through musical verse. While broadly a "song," its specific nuance implies a focus on praise and worship, often with a more formal or structured character than a general "song" (ᾠδή, `{{G5603}}`) but potentially more spontaneous or newly composed than a "psalm" (ψαλμός, `{{G5568}}`), which often referred to the canonical Old Testament Psalms.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ὕμνος (hýmnos, `{{G5215}}`) appears three times in the New Testament, consistently in contexts related to Christian worship and spiritual life:
1. **[[Acts 16:25]]**: "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." Here, ὕμνος describes an act of worship performed by Paul and Silas while imprisoned. Their singing of hymns is a direct expression of faith and devotion to God, even in suffering. It highlights the deeply personal and God-directed nature of hymns as a means of spiritual sustenance and testimony.
2. **[[Ephesians 5:19]]**: "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord." In this passage, ὕμνος is part of a triad of musical expressions (ψαλμός, ὕμνος, ᾠδή πνευματική) that characterizes the Spirit-filled life of believers. The context emphasizes mutual edification ("speaking to one another") and heartfelt worship directed "to the Lord." Hymns, in this sense, are a means of both vertical worship and horizontal instruction and encouragement within the Christian community.
3. **[[Colossians 3:16]]**: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." This verse parallels [[Ephesians 5:19]], reiterating the role of hymns in teaching, admonishing, and fostering thankfulness among believers. The emphasis is on the richness of Christ's word indwelling the community, which then finds expression in these various forms of sacred song. The act of singing hymns is presented as an outflow of a heart filled with gratitude towards God.
Across these occurrences, ὕμνος consistently denotes a song of praise and adoration, directed either explicitly "to God" or "to the Lord," and serving both individual spiritual discipline and corporate edification.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of ὕμνος (hýmnos, `{{G5215}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship with other terms for sacred song and praise:
* **ψαλμός (psalmos, `{{G5568}}`)**: "Psalm." This term often refers specifically to the Old Testament Psalms, which were originally accompanied by stringed instruments. In the New Testament, it likely denotes the use of these inspired compositions in Christian worship.
* **ᾠδή (ōdē, `{{G5603}}`)**: "Song" or "ode." When qualified by πνευματική (pneumatikē, "spiritual"), as in "spiritual songs" (ᾠδὴ πνευματική), it encompasses a broader category of sacred songs, perhaps including spontaneous, Spirit-inspired compositions not necessarily found in the canonical Psalms or necessarily structured as formal hymns.
* **ᾄδω (adō, `{{G103}}`)**: "To sing." This is the verb form associated with the act of producing musical sound, often in worship.
* **αἶνος (ainos, `{{G136}}`)**: "Praise" or "laudatory song." While not directly a type of song, it represents the *content* of praise that hymns embody.
* **δοξάζω (doxazō, `{{G1392}}`)**: "To glorify" or "give praise." This verb describes the act of giving glory to God, which hymns facilitate.
* **αἰνέω (aineō, `{{G134}}`)**: "To praise." Another verb emphasizing the act of praise, often in a public or corporate setting.
The triad of "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" in Ephesians and Colossians suggests a rich and varied musical expression in the early church. While distinctions are debated, ὕμνος likely refers to songs composed specifically for praising God, perhaps more directly expressive of adoration than the Psalms, and more focused in content than general spiritual songs.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ὕμνος (hýmnos, `{{G5215}}`) is profound, touching upon several core aspects of Christian faith and practice:
1. **Adoration and Glorification of God**: At its core, the singing of hymns is an act of worship. It is a direct and intentional response of the believer's heart to the character, works, and redemptive acts of God. Hymns elevate God, giving Him the glory due His name, and acknowledging His sovereignty and goodness.
2. **Expression of a Spirit-Filled Life**: As seen in [[Ephesians 5:19]], singing hymns is presented as a natural outflow of being "filled with the Spirit." This indicates that true worship, including the singing of hymns, is not merely a human endeavor but is divinely enabled and inspired, reflecting the Spirit's work within believers.
3. **Mutual Edification and Teaching**: The directives in Ephesians and Colossians reveal that hymns serve a dual purpose: they are directed "to the Lord" in worship, but also "to one another" in teaching and admonition. Hymns thus become vehicles for theological instruction, reinforcing biblical truths, and encouraging believers in their faith journey. They foster unity and spiritual growth within the community.
4. **Resilience in Suffering**: The example of Paul and Silas in [[Acts 16:25]] demonstrates the power of hymns as a means of spiritual resilience. Even in the dire circumstances of imprisonment and suffering, singing hymns to God was an act of faith, hope, and trust, transforming a place of despair into a sanctuary of praise. This highlights the capacity of hymns to sustain believers through trials.
5. **Continuity of Praise**: While a Greek term, ὕμνος resonates with the deep tradition of praise and song found throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the Psalms, which themselves contain many hymns of praise (e.g., H8416 tehillah). This continuity underscores the timeless human impulse to worship the Divine through song.
### Summary
The Greek word ὕμνος (hýmnos, `{{G5215}}`) denotes a sacred song of praise or a religious ode, primarily directed towards God. Its New Testament occurrences in [[Acts 16:25]], [[Ephesians 5:19]], and [[Colossians 3:16]] consistently portray it as an integral component of both individual devotion and corporate Christian worship. Often appearing alongside ψαλμός (`{{G5568}}`, psalm) and ᾠδή πνευματική (`{{G5603}}`, spiritual song), ὕμνος represents a distinct yet complementary form of spiritual expression, emphasizing direct adoration and glorification of God. Theologically, hymns are vital expressions of a Spirit-filled life, serving not only to offer worship to the Lord but also to provide mutual edification and instruction among believers, even in times of adversity. They underscore the profound role of sung praise in the life of faith and the communal life of the church.
TRV