The term hymn is used in a particular way in Old Testament Studies. In this technical sense, hymn is a genre that contains disinterested praise - praise for its own sake not as the preparation for a request.
Hymns are theocentric .
Compared with other genres of psalm their form is more stable. It begins with an invitation or call to worship , often as a plural imperative. The development gives the reasons for the praising. Quite often also there is a conclusion which may take up elements from the introduction and sometimes includes, or is, a blessing . All rights reserved.