Dictionary of Hymnology
Learn hymn terms, meters, forms, and the history behind Christian worship music — curated for hymn lovers, worship leaders, and students.
A children's temple here we build
Hymn
James Montgomery's 1840 hymn written specifically for the opening of the first Sunday School building in Winc…
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 ship was on the sea
Hymn
Dorothy Ann Thrupp’s highly popular nineteenth-century children's hymn illustrating the biblical narrative of…
A voice upon the midnight air
Hymnology
A publication summary of the anonymous Passiontide hymn 'A voice upon the midnight air,' charting its origin …
A widowed mother lost her son
Hymnology
A publication history of Dorothy Ann Thrupp's hymn on divine compassion, tracking its 1840 debut under her in…
A. M. G.
History
The initials "A. M. G." (sometimes misprinted as "A. M. Gh") used in Thrupp's Psalms and Hymns (1853) to sign…
Adeste fideles laeti triumphantes
History
Comprehensive entry for the celebrated Christmas hymn "Adeste fideles," tracing its origin, Latin textual tra…
All from the sun's uprise
History
Account of George Sandys's seventeenth-century metrical paraphrase of Psalm 100, "All from the sun's uprise."
All knowing God! 'tis Thine to know
Hymnology
Overview of Thomas Scott's eighteenth-century hymn "All knowing God! 'tis Thine to know," centered on charita…
Almighty King, whose wondrous hand
Hymn
History of William Cowper's hymn "Almighty King, whose wondrous hand" from the Olney Hymns.
American Hymnody
History
Comprehensive survey of the history, development, denominational collections, and principal hymnists of Ameri…
And let our bodies part
Hymnology
An entry on Charles Wesley's 1749 parting hymn and its derived centos.
Angels 'round the throne are praising
Hymnology
An entry on Elizabeth Parson's children's hymn of praise.
Macgill, Hamilton Montgomerie
Hymnologists
A biographical profile of Hamilton Montgomerie Macgill, exploring his pastoral ministry, leadership roles wit…
Unitarian Hymnody
Hymnology
An extensive historical overview of English Unitarian hymnody, its doctrinal evolution from Presbyterian root…