The newly published Korean Hymnal(2006) is considered a much improved edition of the hymnal published in 1983. The new edition showed great improvement and also added many hymns by Korean authors and composers. The portion of Korean contributors is the largest in the history of Korean hymnals. This comparative study examined many changes made in the 2006 editions: 1) deletion and addition of hymns; 2) the content layout; 3) author, composer, translator, and dates; 4) metrics; 5) musical contents; 6) hymn texts; 7) classification and indexes; and 8) litanies. In addition to the improvements made in the 2006 edition, remaining errors, which should have been corrected, are pointed out with conclusive examples. When improving future editions of the Korean hymnal, three important things should be considered. First, the original hymn words and music of a hymn should be consulted throughout the editing and publishing processes. Secondly, the copyright information should be clarified for each hymn, just as words, translation, information, should be also included in the hymnal. Lastly, the Korean Hymnal Society, music, harmonization, and so on are other elements to be considered. It is further necessary to develop a clear guidelines and rules for editing old and new hymns, thus promoting Korean hymns to the world of Christianity. The Korean Hymnal Society also must provide broad and up-to-date resources for researchers and end users in preparation for the future edition of hymns.

The newly published Korean Hymnal(2006) is considered a much improved edition of the hymnal published in 1983. The new edition showed great improvement and also added many hymns by Korean authors and composers. The portion of Korean contributors is the largest in the history of Korean hymnals. This comparative study examined many changes made in the 2006 editions: 1) deletion and addition of hymns; 2) the content layout; 3) author, composer, translator, and dates; 4) metrics; 5) musical contents; 6) hymn texts; 7) classification and indexes; and 8) litanies. In addition to the improvements made in the 2006 edition, remaining errors, which should have been corrected, are pointed out with conclusive examples. When improving future editions of the Korean hymnal, three important things should be considered. First, the original hymn words and music of a hymn should be consulted throughout the editing and publishing processes. Secondly, the copyright information should be clarified for each hymn, just as words, translation, information, should be also included in the hymnal. Lastly, the Korean Hymnal Society, music, harmonization, and so on are other elements to be considered. It is further necessary to develop a clear guidelines and rules for editing old and new hymns, thus promoting Korean hymns to the world of Christianity. The Korean Hymnal Society also must provide broad and up-to-date resources for researchers and end users in preparation for the future edition of hymns.

Hymns, hymnals, editing, Korea Hymnal Society