Lexical Definition

‎ὕμνος‎ hýmnos (hoom'-nos) hymn ^G:N-M
apparently from a simpler (obsolete) form of (to celebrate

hymn.

• probably akin to ‎ᾄδω‎
• compare ‎עֲבוֹט‎)
• a "hymn" or religious ode (one of the Psalms)

Abbott-Smith

ὕμνος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX for תְּהִלָּה, נְגִינָה, שִׁיר, etc. ;]
a hymn;
(a) in cl. a festal song in praise of gods or heroes;
(b) in LXX and NT a song of praise addressed to God: Eph 5:19, Col 3:16.†
SYN.: ψαλμός, that which is sung to a musical accompaniment; ᾠδή, the generic term for song (cf. Tr., Syn., § lxxviii, Lft. on Col 3:16)

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

ὕμνος, ὁ,

hymn, ode, in praise of gods or heroes (καί τι ἦν εἶδος ῳδῆς εὐχαὶ πρὸς θεούς, ὄνομα δὲ ὕμνοι ἐπεκαλοῦντο [ὕμνος 8th c.BC: Odyssea Homerus Epicus “Odyssey” 8.429 (followed by Demodocus' song of the Wooden Horse, 499ff)">Refs 8th c.BC+]; ὕμνῳ νικήσαντα φέρειν τρίποδ᾽ [ὕμνος πολύφατος, ἐπικώμιος, etc., “O.” 1.8, “N.” 8.50, +others; Θήρωνος Ὀλυμπιονίκαν ὕμνον “O.” 3.3; and in 5th c.BC: Bacchylides Lyricus, ὑφάνας ὕμνον 5.10, compare 6.11, +others">Refs 8th c.BC+]; ὕμνοι θεῶν to or in honour of the gods, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὕμνοι Δαυείδ psalms of [NT+6th c.AD+]: in Trag. also of mournful songs, addressed to gods or heroes, τὸν δυσκέλαδον ὕ. Ἐρινύος [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ὕ. Ἅιδου, of one whose songs are death, [Refs 2nd c.AD+] —On ὕμνοι of various kinds see Men.Rh.p.333 [Refs 5th c.BC+]. [Most commonly ῡ, but only by position; ῠ proved by εὔῠμνος (which see), ῠμνῳδεῖ [Refs 5th c.BC+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.2Chr.7.6 ☩ Eph.5.19}