HYMN. This word is borrowed from the Greek, Hymnos. It signifies a religious Song or Poem, composed in honour of God or the Saints. The word Hymn is often used as synonimous to that of Canticle, Song, or Psalm, which the Hebrews scarce distinguish at all, having no particular term which signifies properly an Hymn, as distinct from a Psalm or Canticle. The Hebrewמזמור Mismor. Psalmus. word Mismor, which signifies a Psalm, is more general, and is likewise translated Canticum, or Ode; and the word Tehilla, which signifies Praise, is rendred תהלה Laus, Hymnus. Eph. v. 19. Coloss. iii. 16. Matth. xxvi. 30.Hymnus. St. Paul requires Christians to entertain one another with Psalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. St. Matthew says, that Jesus Christ having supp’d, sung an Hymn, and went out. He recited the Hymns or Psalms which the Jews were used to sing after having eat the Passover. The Hymns which are sung in the Christian Church, and are distinguished from the Psalms, are pieces of Poetry composed generally by very pious but not inspired Authors.
Library / Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible, Complete and Unabridged
Volume I · H
Hymn
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Augustin Calmet, O.S.B., “Hymn,” in Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible, Complete and Unabridged, English translation, Mind of the Church, https://mindofthechurch.com/works/calmet-dictionary/h/hymn/.