What Is a Hymnal?
- A hymnal is a collection of hymns or religious songs used for prayer. These songs are often as old as each religion itself. How long collections of these songs have been around, however, is more difficult to reveal. The first protestant hymnal was compiled in 1501 in Europe, followed by many translations into other European languages, but how many hymnals came before it is impossible to say.
- The function of hymnals and their contents can vary for different individuals. The purpose of hymns is often very personal, and how highly each person regards their collected forms is equally variable. From a practical standpoint, however, hymnals provide an organized structure and index of songs of prayer, giving church groups easy and quick access to specific hymns.
- Hymnals are often organized alphabetically, but other times they may be organized according to their subject matter. Many hymnals will include not only the words to each hymn, but also the musical notation, allowing musicians to play the song and learn the rhythm. This also means that anyone looking at the hymnal for the first time has everything they need to practice the hymns.
