1. Define “hymn” and cite your source.
This requirement should be met by looking up the word "hymn" in a dictionary (whether online or in print), and then noting which dictionary was used.
- 1.a. a song of praise to God
- 1.b. a metrical composition adapted for singing in a religious service
- 2. a song of praise or joy
- 3. something resembling a hymn”
www.merriam-webster.com
2. Discuss the biblical context of the following texts as each relates to hymns, and the reasons given for singing:
Read each verse as well as those around it to discover the context. Finding the context means that you try to learn when the passage was written, by whom, and under what circumstances. A Bible Commentary may also be helpful.
Judges 5:3
Psalm 33:2
Psalm 40:3
Psalms 81:1-2
Psalm 95:1, 2
Psalm 98:4-6
Psalm 101:1
Nehemiah 12:27
Ephesians 5:19
Colossians 3:16
3. Select a verse or short passage from the Bible and set it to a tune. You may set the verse to an existing melody or compose one of your own. Sing your new hymn either acapella or with music.
This activity may be done as a group.
When setting a passage of text to music, it is a good idea to start with the meter - that is, count the number of syllables in each phrase. Then divide the passage into segments to create a structure where the numbers repeat (if possible), and where the divisions between segments are in logical places. If you are having difficulty with this, try a different translation of the passage - it will likely have a different meter that may lend itself to this process a bit easier.
A song's meter is usually expressed as a list of numbers. For instance, Give Me Oil In My Lamp has the meter 10, 8, 10, 9, because there are 10 syllables in the first and third stanzas, 8 in the second, and 9 in the fourth.
Once you have the meter, look in the metrical index of tunes in a hymnal and see if you can find something close to what you came up with. If you find something, you should notice that the tune to that song will work with the passage you are working with.
If you are especially creative, you can make your own melody instead of using an existing one. Starting with the meter is still a good idea even in this case, and you may find it effective to come up with a rhythm next, and finally, with the notes.
