Dictionary of Hymnology
Learn hymn terms, meters, forms, and the history behind Christian worship music — curated for hymn lovers, worship leaders, and students.
Adsunt tenebrae primae
History
Hymnological profile of the anonymous Mozarabic evening hymn "Adsunt tenebrae primae," tracing its manuscript…
Aeterna Christi munera, Et martyrum victorias
History
Comprehensive entry for the ancient Ambrosian hymn "Aeterna Christi munera," covering its original form for M…
Aeterna coeli gloria
History
Hymnological profile of the fifth-century Friday Lauds hymn "Aeterna coeli gloria," detailing its manuscript …
Aeterna lux, Divinitas
History
Hymnological profile of the anonymous Trinity Sunday hymn "Aeterna lux, Divinitas," tracing its printed sourc…
Aeterne rerum conditor
History
Hymnological profile of Saint Ambrose's Sunday morning hymn "Aeterne rerum conditor," including patristic evi…
Aeterne Rex altissime, Redemptor
History
Comprehensive entry for the Ascension hymn "Aeterne Rex altissime, Redemptor," exploring its complex authorsh…
Aeterni Festi gaudia and Aeterni Patris Unice
History
Hymnological profile of two notable Latin texts: Adam of St. Victor's sequence "Aeterni Festi gaudia" for St.…
Afflicted soul, to Jesus dear
Hymn
Hymnological profile of John Fawcett's eighteenth-century hymn on divine support during affliction, including…
Again the Lord of life and light
History
Hymnological entry for Anna Laetitia Barbauld's Easter hymn "Again the Lord of life and light," tracing its p…
Agnes, fair martyr
History
Hymnological record of Mary Dunlop Moultrie's nineteenth-century hymn for St. Agnes's Day, detailing its deat…
Agnus Dei Qui tollis peccata mundi
History
Hymnological record of the Agnus Dei, detailing its liturgical origins, medieval development, Reformation ada…
All hail, Thou Resurrection
Hymnology
Summary of William Henry Havergal's Easter hymn "All hail, Thou Resurrection," written in 1867.
All the night and nothing taken
History
Summary of Henry Alford's missionary hymn "All the night and nothing taken," based on St. Luke 5:1.
All the world in sin was lying
Hymn
Summary of Sabine Baring-Gould's redemption hymn "All the world in sin was lying."
All wondering on the desert ground
Hymnology
Overview of John Ernest Bode's hymn "All wondering on the desert ground," written for the miracle of feeding …
Alleluia nunc decantet
History
Historical background of the medieval sequence "Alleluia nunc decantet" for the Common of Apostles, translate…
Alleluia, sing to Jesus
Hymn
History of William Chatterton Dix's Eucharistic hymn "Alleluia, sing to Jesus," written in 1866 for Ascension…
American Hymnody
History
Comprehensive survey of the history, development, denominational collections, and principal hymnists of Ameri…
Amidst the cheerful bloom of youth
Hymnology
An entry on the anonymous 1843 American Presbyterian hymn focused on youth dedicated to God.
And is it so? A little while
Hymnology
An entry on an anonymous American hymn concerning death and eternity.