There are various references in the N.T. to the use of hymns; e.g., in the account of the Last Supper (Matt. 26: 30), where the hymn would be part of the Hallel (Pss. 113-118; Acts 4: 24; Acts 16: 25; 1 Cor. 14: 15, 26; Eph. 5: 19; Col. 3: 16; James 5: 13). Psalmody and hymnody were highly developed in the religious services of the Jews and were thus easily continued in Christian worship. The Gospel hymns, such as the Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-55), the Benedictus (Luke 1: 68-79), the Gloria in Excelsis (Luke 2: 14), and the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2: 29-32) have from early times been used in public worship.