The Archives Devotional Magazine August 2015 | Page 15

Hymns in Bible Times
Obviously hymns that we
know of today were not known to
Jesus and his disciples, the bulk of
which having been written after
the 1600s. But the word “hymn”
used in the passage simply means
a song of praise, or to celebrate
God in song, from the Greek
word umnēsantes (ὑμνήσαντες).
Many of these songs sung by
early Christians were Psalms.
Psalm 113-118 and 136 were
known as “great Hallel,” paschal
hymns.
This passage gives us insight
into why singing is often included
in a church’s order of service.
Singing praises to God is nothing
new though. David did it often,
even writing his own songs for
God’s praise. For creative types
of people, writing and singing
gives us an outlet of worship that
is expressive and sincere.

The disciples were very upset and began to ask him, one
after the other, “Surely, Lord, you don't mean me?”
Jesus answered, “One who dips his bread in the dish with
me will betray me. The Son of Man will die as the Scriptures
say he will, but how terrible for that man who will betray the
Son of Man! It would have been better for that man if he had
never been born!”
Judas, the traitor, spoke up. “Surely, Teacher, you don't
mean me?” he asked.
Jesus answered, “So you say.”
While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave
a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. “Take
and eat it,” he said; “this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks to God, and gave it to
them. “Drink it, all of you,” he said; “this is my blood, which
seals God's covenant, my blood poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink this
wine until the day I drink the new wine with you in my
Father's Kingdom.”
Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of
Olives.

“THE SPIRITS OF DARKNESS HAVE NO POWER UNLESS
THEY GET MANKIND TO CO-OPERATE AND CONSPIRE WITH
THEM; IN LIKE MANNER AS THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND
PHARISEES HAD NO POWER UNTIL THEY GOT ONE OF
JESUS’ CHOSEN DISCIPLES TO CO-OPERATE IN LEAGUE
WITH THEM.” —ISAAC WILLIAMS