Dictionary of Hymnology
Learn hymn terms, meters, forms, and the history behind Christian worship music — curated for hymn lovers, worship leaders, and students.
A beautiful land by faith I see
Hymn
A popular nineteenth-century Sunday School hymn about Heaven, first published anonymously in 1862 and later a…
A debtor to mercy alone
Hymn
Augustus Montague Toplady's celebrated hymn on the assurance of faith, first published in the Gospel Magazine…
A few more years shall roll
Hymn
Horatius Bonar's celebrated New Year's hymn of pilgrimage, first printed in 1842 for his Kelso congregation a…
A glance from heaven, with sweet effect
Hymn
John Newton's 1775 nature hymn reflecting on lightning in the night, published in the Olney Hymns and include…
A little flock! So calls He thee
Hymn
Horatius Bonar's expansive 1857 poem on the Church, published in Hymns of Faith and Hope and adapted into var…
A look to Jesus saves the soul
History
Albert Midlane’s 1862 conversion hymn, featured in Gospel Echoes and compiled across several late Victorian r…
A sinful man am I
History
Horatius Bonar's 1867 Short Meter invitation hymn exploring human brokenness and Christ's call, published in …
A sure and tried foundation stone
Hymnology
A historical summary of James Montgomery's 1822 foundation stone hymn, detailing its composition for St. Phil…
Abraham, when severely tried
Hymnology
A publication history of Charles Wesley's epic scriptural paraphrase on faith, detailing its origins in 1740 …
Ach! lehre mich ein Kindlein sein
Hymnology
A entry on Emma Neustetel's children's hymn of spiritual humility, outlining its compilation in Basel and its…
Ach! treuer Gott, barmherzigs Herz
Hymnology
A publication history of Paul Gerhardt's hymn of comfort, detailing its origin from Johann Arndt's devotional…
Adams, John Quincy
Hymnology
A biographical overview of John Quincy Adams as a hymn writer and poet, detailing his sacred metrical works, …
Addison, Joseph
History
Biographical and historical entry for Joseph Addison (1672–1719), English essayist, statesman, and author of …
Adeste fideles laeti triumphantes
History
Comprehensive entry for the celebrated Christmas hymn "Adeste fideles," tracing its origin, Latin textual tra…
Adsis superne Spiritus, Pater benigne pauperum
History
Hymnological profile of "Adsis superne Spiritus, Pater benigne pauperum," an anonymous 18th-century Whitsunti…
Agricola, Johannes
History
Biographical and hymnological entry for Johannes Agricola (Sneider), sixteenth-century Protestant reformer, p…
Ah, Lord, with trembling I confess
History
Hymnological record of Charles Wesley's hymn "Ah, Lord, with trembling I confess," written on backsliding and…
Albrecht of Brandenburg-Culmbach
History
Biographical account of Margrave Albrecht of Brandenburg-Culmbach, known as the German Alcibiades, and the hi…
All that I was, my sin, my guilt
History
Account of Horatius Bonar's hymn "All that I was, my sin, my guilt," based on 1 Corinthians 15:10.
All ye who faithful servants are
History
Overview of Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady's Communion hymn "All ye who faithful servants are," based on Revel…
A debtor to mercy alone
Hymn
Augustus Montague Toplady's celebrated hymn on the assurance of faith, first published in the Gospel Magazine…
A few more years shall roll
Hymn
Horatius Bonar's celebrated New Year's hymn of pilgrimage, first printed in 1842 for his Kelso congregation a…
A glance from heaven, with sweet effect
Hymn
John Newton's 1775 nature hymn reflecting on lightning in the night, published in the Olney Hymns and include…
A little flock! So calls He thee
Hymn
Horatius Bonar's expansive 1857 poem on the Church, published in Hymns of Faith and Hope and adapted into var…
A look to Jesus saves the soul
History
Albert Midlane’s 1862 conversion hymn, featured in Gospel Echoes and compiled across several late Victorian r…
A sinful man am I
History
Horatius Bonar's 1867 Short Meter invitation hymn exploring human brokenness and Christ's call, published in …
A sure and tried foundation stone
Hymnology
A historical summary of James Montgomery's 1822 foundation stone hymn, detailing its composition for St. Phil…
Abraham, when severely tried
Hymnology
A publication history of Charles Wesley's epic scriptural paraphrase on faith, detailing its origins in 1740 …
Ach! lehre mich ein Kindlein sein
Hymnology
A entry on Emma Neustetel's children's hymn of spiritual humility, outlining its compilation in Basel and its…
Ach! treuer Gott, barmherzigs Herz
Hymnology
A publication history of Paul Gerhardt's hymn of comfort, detailing its origin from Johann Arndt's devotional…
Adams, John Quincy
Hymnology
A biographical overview of John Quincy Adams as a hymn writer and poet, detailing his sacred metrical works, …
Addison, Joseph
History
Biographical and historical entry for Joseph Addison (1672–1719), English essayist, statesman, and author of …
Adeste fideles laeti triumphantes
History
Comprehensive entry for the celebrated Christmas hymn "Adeste fideles," tracing its origin, Latin textual tra…
Adsis superne Spiritus, Pater benigne pauperum
History
Hymnological profile of "Adsis superne Spiritus, Pater benigne pauperum," an anonymous 18th-century Whitsunti…
Agricola, Johannes
History
Biographical and hymnological entry for Johannes Agricola (Sneider), sixteenth-century Protestant reformer, p…
Ah, Lord, with trembling I confess
History
Hymnological record of Charles Wesley's hymn "Ah, Lord, with trembling I confess," written on backsliding and…
Albrecht of Brandenburg-Culmbach
History
Biographical account of Margrave Albrecht of Brandenburg-Culmbach, known as the German Alcibiades, and the hi…
All that I was, my sin, my guilt
History
Account of Horatius Bonar's hymn "All that I was, my sin, my guilt," based on 1 Corinthians 15:10.
All ye who faithful servants are
History
Overview of Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady's Communion hymn "All ye who faithful servants are," based on Revel…