A hymn is a song of praise, usually sung in religious worship. In churches, temples, and other places of worship around the world, people stand together to sing hymns, their voices blending in harmony. These aren't casual songs: hymns typically express deep feelings about faith, gratitude, or devotion, often with poetic lyrics that have been sung for generations.

Hymns have a special quality that sets them apart from other songs. They're meant to be sung by a group, not performed by one person, so the melodies are usually simple enough for everyone to follow. Some hymns are centuries old, written by people who wanted to put their strongest beliefs into words and music that could be shared. When you sing a hymn that was written 300 years ago, you're joining your voice with millions of people across time who sang those same words.

The word can also describe any song of praise or celebration, even outside religious settings. A national hymn celebrates a country, like “God Save the King” in the United Kingdom or “La Marseillaise” in France. The word hymnal refers to a book containing the words and music for many hymns.