|Easton's Bible Dictionary| Occurs only Ephesians 5:19 and
Colossians 3:16. The verb to "sing an hymn" occurs Matthew 26:30
and Mark 14:26. The same Greek word is rendered to "sing
praises" Acts 16:25 (R.V., "sing hymns") and Hebrews 2:12. The
"hymn" which our Lord sang with his disciples at the last Supper
is generally supposed to have been the latter part of the
Hallel, comprehending Psalm 113-118. It was thus a name given to
a number of psalms taken together and forming a devotional
exercise. The noun hymn is used only with reference to the
services of the Greeks, and was distinguished from the psalm.
The Greek tunes required Greek hymns. Our information regarding
the hymnology of the early Christians is very limited. Noah
Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An ode or song of praise or
adoration; especially, a religious ode, a sacred lyric; a song
of praise or thanksgiving intended to be used in religious
service; as, the Homeric hymns; Watts' hymns. 2. (v. t.) To
praise in song; to worship or extol by singing hy