Hymn as a Literary Device

Hymn: Etymology, Literal and Conceptual Meanings

Etymology of “Hymn”

The word “hymn” derives from the Greek term “hymnos,” which originally referred to a song of praise directed towards gods or heroes in ancient Greek culture. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass religious songs of praise and worship within Christian and other religious traditions. The concept of hymns has persisted across cultures, adapting to various musical forms and religious practices, while retaining its core function as expressions of devotion and reverence.

Literal and Conceptual Meanings of “Hymn”

Literal Meaning	Conceptual Meaning
Song of Praise	– A musical composition expressing adoration or reverence towards a deity or hero.
Religious Devotion	– Symbolic acts of worship and spiritual connection within religious ceremonies.
Ancient Greek Usage	– Originally referred to poetic compositions honoring gods or cultural heroes.

Explanation:

• Literal Meaning: The literal meaning of “hymn” refers to a specific type of musical composition or song that praises or glorifies a deity, hero, or revered figure. It involves structured lyrics and often carries a religious or spiritual context.
• Conceptual Meaning: Beyond its literal definition, “hymn” holds conceptual meanings tied to religious devotion and spiritual practice. It symbolizes acts of worship and serves as a vehicle for expressing faith and reverence within religious communities.
• Ancient Greek Usage: In ancient Greece, “hymnos” denoted poetic compositions performed in honor of gods or cultural heroes, highlighting its origins in ancient religious and cultural practices.

Hymn: Definition as a Literary Device

A hymn is a type of lyric poem used to express religious devotion. It often praises a deity or an idealized figure using elevated language, vivid imagery, and structured stanzas. Hymns have been used throughout history to articulate shared beliefs, build community, and explore the relationship between humanity and the divine.

Features of Hymn

Feature	Explanation	Example
Religious Theme	Hymns focus on religious themes, expressing devotion, praise, or supplication to a deity or idealized figure.	“Amazing Grace” (“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound / That saved a wretch like me!”)
Elevated Language	Hymns often use formal or poetic language to convey a sense of reverence and awe.	“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!” (from “Holy, Holy, Holy”)
Vivid Imagery	Hymns use descriptive language and metaphors to create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind, enhancing the emotionalimpact.	“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, / Let me hide myself in Thee.” (from “Rock of Ages”)
Structured Stanzas	Hymns are typically organized into verses and stanzas, creating a sense of rhythm and musicality.	The four-line stanzas of “Be Thou My Vision” with an ABAB rhyme scheme.
Repetition	The repetition of phrases or lines within a hymn can emphasize key ideas and create a sense of unity.	“Gloria in excelsis Deo!” (repeated throughout “Angels We Have Heard on High”)
Call and Response	Some hymns use a call-and-response structure, where a leader sings a line and the congregation responds, fostering participation.	“Amen” is a common response in many hymns.
Musicality	Hymns are often set to music, enhancing their emotional impact and making them easier to memorize and sing together.	Most hymns are meant to be sung, with well-known tunes for “Amazing Grace,” “Holy, Holy, Holy,” and many others.
Personal Connection	Hymns often express personal feelings of faith, doubt, or struggle, allowing the singer to connect with the lyrics on a deeper level.	“It is well with my soul” (from “It Is Well with My Soul”) expresses a deep faith despite personal tragedy.

Types of Hymn

1. Hymns of Adoration: These hymns center on expressing love, reverence, and awe for the divine.Example: “Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!” (from “Holy, Holy, Holy”)
2. Hymns of Gratitude: These hymns convey thanks and appreciation for blessings and divine intervention.Example: “Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices” (from “Now Thank We All Our God”)
3. Hymns of Supplication: These hymns are sung prayers, requesting guidance, forgiveness, or aid.Example: “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!” (from “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”)
4. Hymns of Lamentation: These hymns express grief, sorrow, or despair in the face of hardship.Example: “Abide with me; fast falls the eventide” (from “Abide with Me”)
5. Hymns of Penitence: These hymns acknowledge sinfulness and seek forgiveness and redemption.Example: “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!” (from “Amazing Grace”)

Hymn in Literature: Examples

Hymn Title & Author	Literary Features	Explanation
“Amazing Grace” (John Newton)	Repetition, Simple Language	The repetition of phrases like “Amazing grace” reinforces the theme of redemption, while the simple language makes it accessible to a wide audience.
“Holy, Holy, Holy” (Reginald Heber)	Elevated Language, Vivid Imagery	The hymn uses lofty language (“Lord God Almighty”) and vivid imagery (“early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee”) to create a sense of awe and reverence.
“Abide with Me” (Henry F. Lyte)	Personal Connection, Supplication	The hymn expresses a personal plea for God’s presence in times of darkness and uncertainty, resonating with readers facing challenges.
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (Martin Luther)	Metaphor, Confident Tone	The hymn uses the metaphor of a fortress to describe God’s protection and conveys a confident tone in the face of adversity.
“Be Thou My Vision” (Irish Hymn)	Celtic Imagery, Devotion	The hymn draws on Celtic imagery (“sun of my soul”) to express a deep longing for God to be the center of the worshipper’s life.
“How Great Thou Art” (Carl Boberg)	Nature Imagery, Wonder	The hymn uses vivid descriptions of nature (“When I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made”) to evoke a sense of awe and worship.
“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (Isaac Watts)	Historical Perspective, Trust	The hymn reflects on God’s faithfulness throughout history, offering comfort and assurance in times of change and upheaval.
“Jerusalem” (William Blake)	Visionary Language, Hope	The hymn uses visionary language to depict a utopian Jerusalem, expressing hope for a future of peace and harmony.

Hymn in Religion

Religion	Hymn Example	Short Explanation
Christianity	“Amazing Grace”	A hymn expressing the joy of redemption and God’s grace.
Judaism	“Adon Olam”	A hymn affirming God’s eternal sovereignty and expressing trust in divine protection.
Islam	“Qasida Burda”	A poem praising the Prophet Muhammad, often recited in Sufi gatherings.
Hinduism	“Vedic Hymns”	Ancient Sanskrit hymns praising various deities and expressing philosophical concepts.
Buddhism	“The Heart Sutra”	A concise summary of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy, often chanted or recited.
Sikhism	“Japji Sahib”	The morning prayer of Sikhs, composed by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
Jainism	“Namokar Mantra”	A central prayer in Jainism, expressing reverence for enlightened beings.
Zoroastrianism	“Gathas”	Seventeen Avestan hymns believed to have been composed by Zoroaster himself.

Hymn in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Hymns
Formalism	Hymns, with their structured stanzas, meter, and rhyme schemes, offer rich material for formalist analysis. The interplay of sound devices, repetition, and imagery can be examined for their aesthetic effects and contribution to the overall meaning of the hymn.
Reader-Response Criticism	Hymns evoke strong emotional and personal responses in readers. Examining the individual experiences and interpretations of readers can reveal the diverse ways hymns resonate with different beliefs and values.
Historical Criticism	Understanding the historical context in which a hymn was written can shed light on its purpose, message, and intended audience. Exploring the social and religious conditions of the time can enrich the interpretation of the hymn’s meaning.
New Criticism	New Critics might focus on the inherent qualities of a hymn, analyzing its figurative language, symbolism, and paradoxes. Close reading can reveal the complex layers of meaning within the text, independent of authorial intent or historical context.
Archetypal Criticism	Hymns often draw upon archetypal symbols and themes, such as light and darkness, the journey, and the divine presence. Analyzing the archetypal elements in hymns can reveal universal patterns of human experience and spiritual longing.

Hymn in Literature: Relevant Terms

Literary/Poetic Device	Definition
Anaphora	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines.
Apostrophe	Addressing an absent person, abstract idea, or inanimate object as if present.
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds within words.
Caesura	A pause or break within a line of poetry.
Enjambment	The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next.
Metaphor	A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.”
Metonymy	Substituting a word or phrase for another closely associated word or phrase.
Parallelism	Similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.
Simile	A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.”
Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Hymn in Literature: Suggested Readings