Hymnodist

A hymnodist is one who writes the text, music or both of hymns. Hymnodists have been in existence since at least the time of David, who was himself a hymnodist, as he composed many of the Psalms.

Many hymnodists in the early Church gained prominence and achieved canonisation. Saint John of Damascus (c. 675 or 676 - 749) was noted for his work as a hymnodist; some of the most popular English hymns which are translations of his works include Come ye faithful, raise the strain and The day of resurrection, both associated with the season of Eastertide.

Until the twelfth century, it was accepted that only men served the Church in this role. Saint Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) challenged this notion in the twelfth century, becoming the first woman to serve in this position.

Many leaders of the reformation, including Martin Luther (1483-1546) himself, were hymnodists; Luther's work included A mighty fortress is our God and Christ Jesus lay in death's strong bonds. Lutherans continued to compose hymns, and some of the popular hymnodists of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries included the three saints commemorated in the Lutheran Calendar of Saints on 26 October: Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608), Johann Heermann (1585-1647), and Paul Gerhardt (1607-76).Michael Praetorius (1571-1621), and Johann Crüger (1598-1662) also gained renown as German Lutheran hymnodists of that era.

In the English-speaking world, the art of being a hymnodist was brought to prominence by the 750 odd hymns composed by Isaac Watts (1674-1748), followed by the almost tenfold Watts' output composed a generation later by co-founder of Methodism, Charles Wesley (1707-88).

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