德语的Hymne大概被狭义化了。查etymology of hymn得到的答案比较贴近真义，

Hymn, "religious song," c. 1000, from Old French ymne and Old English ymen, both from Late Latin hymnus "song of praise," from Greek hymnos "festive song or ode in praise of gods or heroes" (also sometimes of mournful songs).
宗教的出现早于国家的诞生。这一解释的可信度较高。