Technically a distinct style of Music, generally referring to the music typically sung in a worship service.
6
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2answers
104 views
Is “A mighty fortress is our God” anti-Catholic?
So there's a hymn called A mighty fortress is our God (Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott), written by Martin Luther; there's also a famous version by J. S. Bach. It is a call to arms against the devil, ...
6
votes
1answer
79 views
Why is “We Three Kings” a Christmas hymn, and not a Lenten one?
I'll admit, when I was a young'n, I thought "We Three Kings" was a silly song. I mean, it was just about a star, right? After all, since I only knew the chorus, and the first verse:
We three ...
9
votes
1answer
2k views
Why do I sing, “Here I raise my Ebenezer?”
In "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," the second verse, says, "Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I've come."
I have heard that an Ebenezer is a monument of some kind, but even armed with ...
12
votes
2answers
255 views
Did Luther Really Use Bar Tunes for his Hymns?
The title sums it up: I often hear it said during the debates on liturgy and music styles that are appropriate for worship that even Luther used common bar tunes (equivalent to days pop songs) for his ...
10
votes
2answers
915 views
What is the oldest hymn (with music) that is still sung in churches today?
Using any of the standard hymnals, what is the oldest hymn that people are still singing?
e.g.
The Baptist Hymnal 1975 / 1991 / 2008,
The Faith We Sing (Methodist, right?),
The (Episcopal) ...
7
votes
1answer
149 views
Did Mary know that her Baby Boy would “soon deliver her”?
It's a little past Christmas, but I forgot to ask this question based on the song "Mary did you know", which really raises the question. Did Mary know?
As a Catholic, there are lots of traditions ...
4
votes
2answers
105 views
What role does hymnody play in non-Western churches?
My wife and I were discussing the central role that congregational singing of hymns takes in Western churches, when it dawned on me that I don't real have a good understanding what its like outside of ...
3
votes
5answers
569 views
Is “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” preaching heresy?
I love the song "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." Its beautiful, and the backstory is pretty amazing. My problem is that I always shudder every time I sing the third verse.
It says, "O to grace, ...
2
votes
1answer
593 views
Why did “Lift Every Voice and Sing” become the “Black National Anthem”?
Attending an African American church service recently, I was introduced to the hymn Lift Every Voice and Sing. One of my colleagues said this was the "Black National Anthem," uniquely Christian and a ...
5
votes
1answer
94 views
What was Isaac Watts' theological background?
Isaac Watts has often been called "the Father of English Hymnody." He is responsible for many of my favorite hymns:
Joy to the world (arranged by Lowell Mason to an older melody originating from ...
3
votes
1answer
102 views
What denominations use gender-inclusive hymnology?
Recently, I was asked to substitute "souls" for "men" in the hymn, "Good Christian Men, Rejoice," in order to be more gender-inclusive. In this same congregation, I caused quite a stir by suggesting ...
6
votes
2answers
125 views
What's the new rite in Tantum Ergo?
St. Thomas Aquinas' Hymn Tantum Ergo, which is usually sung at Benediction always seems better in Latin:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Mainly because in both the transliterated and ...
12
votes
3answers
345 views
“I will lift Your Name”
Lots of Christian Rock songs have a curious metaphor about "Lifting Your Name". Is this a direct reference to the words of St. Paul, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend (Phil 2:10)?
...
