Anthem vs. Motet — What's the Difference?

An anthem is a musical composition of celebration, usually used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the national anthems of countries. Originally, and in music theory and religious contexts, it also refers more particularly to short sacred choral work (still frequently seen in Sacred Harp and other types of shape note singing) and still more particularly to a specific form of liturgical music.

In Western classical music, a motet is mainly a vocal musical composition, of highly diverse form and style, from the high medieval music to the present. The motet was one of the pre-eminent polyphonic forms of Renaissance music.

A hymn of praise or loyalty.

A polyphonic composition based on a sacred text and usually sung without accompaniment.

A choral composition having a sacred or moralizing text in English.

A composition adapted to sacred words in the elaborate polyphonic church style; an anthem.

A popular song, especially a rock song felt to sum up the attitudes or feelings associated with a period or social group.

A composition adapted to sacred words in the elaborate polyphonic church style; an anthem.

(archaic) Antiphon.

An unaccompanied choral composition with sacred lyrics; intended to be sung as part of a church service; originated in the 13th century

A choral or vocal composition, often with a religious or political lyric.

A hymn of praise or loyalty.

(informal) A very popular song or track.

To celebrate with anthems.

Formerly, a hymn sung in alternate parts, in present usage, a selection from the Psalms, or other parts of the Scriptures or the liturgy, set to sacred music.

A song or hymn of praise or devotion; as, a national anthem.

To celebrate with anthems.

A song of devotion or loyalty (as to a nation or school)

A song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)