SandraMcCrackenHymns

“Why Write Hymns?”

If you haven’t read this excerpt by James Montgomery – What Makes a Good Hymn – you surely should. And if, once you have read it, you still ask the question, “Why write hymns?” I’ll do my best to give an answer.

I have always wondered at the reference made in Ephesians 5:19 to “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” The phrase is there in the original Greek language; why didn’t Paul just tell the Ephesians to sing praises to God and encourage one another? Are there differences that we should be aware of in this classification?  Or was he simply expounding on the incredible variety of ways in which God can be glorified and believers can be encouraged through our joyous musical and artistic expression?

While it is hard to know what these three distinct words meant to Paul’s first century audience, the terms have been useful as a way for me to think through my own creative process as a songwriter and worshiper.  Psalms, I believe, refer to the ancient Hebrew poetry written by David, Solomon and priests who ministered before the Lord. These are liturgical texts, song texts, and poetry that chronicle the life of the Jews during the time of the tabernacle and temple, when God was physically manifest within the sacrificial system. These psalms are primarily prayers, looking forward to the time of supreme manifestation and completion of the covenant promise of God to the Israelites.

As Christians we share in the promise given to Abraham and look forward to its final fulfillment.  Paul’s words encourage me to meditate on these psalms, to share them with others, and to remind my fellow believers of them.  As prayers they tell us of the hope we share with our spiritual ancestors: a hope which is made complete in Christ even as we continue to look forward to the New Jerusalem heralded by our Savior.

Spiritual songs are those songs that we share with each other to exhort and encourage one another in our faith. These are often personal expressions of what the Holy Spirit is doing in our own lives, and we share them to help our fellow travelers. Even the most poorly written song can speak to a believer with a receptive heart. These are communal songs that remind us of our nomadic status and of the many others who share our journey.

So what, then, are hymns? I would group “choruses” and “praise and worship songs” in the previous category. Are hymns something different than spiritual songs? There is, for me, a distinction. Let me try to explain.

Hymns are purposeful in a way that many worship songs are not.  To read or sing through a hymn is to be struck by theological weight, measured thought, and poetic beauty.  Lines flow together simply and harmoniously in an unbroken pattern.  It is easy to sense the writer’s care for the gospel and his or her personal experience of the topic at hand.  A hymn can explore a particular subject, instruct the worshipper, relate humanity to God, and adore the beauty of God’s character. A good hymn does all this.

This is not to say that worship songs and prayers do not have their place.  Perhaps words are the biggest hindrance in that respect; it is very hard to expound upon deep theological concepts within the framework of two verses, a chorus, and possibly a bridge. These are practical constraints of modern worship choruses. It is easier to delve when there are four verses, and yet it can still be difficult. This is why the poetry of the Wesleys and others survives with us, meeting every criteria proposed by James Montgomery.

The hymns that we love to sing are those which pull together the form of verse and melody with words that express beautifully yet simply – through their individual meaning and relationship to each other – the wondrous depth and breadth of God’s immutable character.  This is a subject that could never be exhausted, though we were to write and sing of it for all eternity.  We must continue to write hymns.

Hiram Ring is a singer and songwriter who was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, as the son of Wycliffe Bible Translators. He works on writing hymns and spiritual songs in Lancaster, PA. Learn more about Pageant Music at http://pageantmusic.wordpress.com. You can also hear and download the recent Pageant Music release ’12 Gates’ at http://www.noisetrade.com/pageantmusic