Amen Song

Definition and Meaning

An Amen song is a piece in which the word "Amen" is set to a short melody. The name is not a formal musical term but an expression widely used in Korean churches, where it is also called "Amen praise." Amen is a word derived from Hebrew that means "truly, it is so" or "so be it." The Amen song is sung as a response by which the congregation together receives and affirms the prayer just offered or the blessing just pronounced. A piece that repeats "Amen" three times is commonly called a threefold Amen, and one that repeats it seven times a sevenfold Amen.

Biblical and Historical Background

In the Old Testament, the people responded with "Amen" to the proclamation of the law and to praise (Deuteronomy 27:15-26; 1 Chronicles 16:36; Nehemiah 8:6). Several of the books of the Psalter likewise close with "Amen, and Amen" (Psalm 41:13). In the New Testament, Paul mentions the congregation's response of "Amen" (1 Corinthians 14:16), and the Book of Revelation depicts the living creatures saying "Amen" in the worship of heaven (Revelation 5:14).

From early on, the church used "Amen" as a response within worship. Later, short pieces for singing the Amen on its own were composed in the music of the Western church. Well-known examples include the "Sevenfold Amen" by the English composer John Stainer and the "Dresden Amen," which originated in Germany.

Practice in Korean Churches

In Korean churches, the Amen song is most commonly sung immediately after the benediction at the close of the service. When the pastor finishes the benediction, the choir sings a threefold or sevenfold Amen, or the accompanist plays a short Amen, while the congregation remains with heads bowed until the service concludes. Some churches also sing a short Amen song as a response after the representative prayer or the offertory prayer. Many churches use the doxologies and Amen settings printed at the back of the hymnal.

Whether and how an Amen song is used is generally determined less by denominational constitutions than by the order of worship and musical tradition of the individual congregation. General tendencies may be outlined as follows.

• Presbyterian, Methodist, and Holiness churches: Singing an Amen song after the benediction is a widespread practice in Sunday morning services that have a choir.
• The Anglican Church of Korea and the Lutheran Church in Korea: Following their prescribed service books, the officiant and the congregation exchange sung responses at various points in the liturgy, and "Amen" is sung as part of these responses.
• Pentecostal churches and worship led by a praise team: Spoken or shouted responses of "Amen" from the congregation are prominent, and some churches omit the choral Amen song.

In small churches without a choir, or in evening services, the congregation may sing a short Amen together, or the service may end with the benediction and no Amen song.