Dictionary of Hymnology
Learn hymn terms, meters, forms, and the history behind Christian worship music — curated for hymn lovers, worship leaders, and students.
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 Patre Unigenitus
History
An anonymous Latin Epiphany hymn originating between the tenth and thirteenth centuries, notable for its uniq…
A solis ortus cardine (Coelius Sedulius)
History
Coelius Sedulius's landmark fifth-century alphabetical acrostic poem on the life of Christ, which shaped medi…
A solis ortus cardine (Translations and Structural Variants)
History
An index of the nineteenth-century English and German translations of Coelius Sedulius's hymn, detailing the …
A. R. W.
History
The initials "A. R. W." used in the American Baptist Praise Book (1871) to sign the contributions of the Reve…
A. T. R.
History
The initials "A. T. R." used in Psalms and Hymns (1851) to sign original contributions and translations by th…
Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid
Hymnology
A publication and authorship history of the German hymn of consolation attributed to Martin Moller, charting …
Ach, Jesu, dein Sterben
Hymnology
A publication history of an anonymous eighteenth-century German Passion chorale from Silesia and its subseque…
Ach! treuer Gott, barmherzigs Herz
Hymnology
A publication history of Paul Gerhardt's hymn of comfort, detailing its origin from Johann Arndt's devotional…
Ad regias Agni dapes
History
A publication registry of the classicized Roman Breviary revision of the Easter hymn 'Ad coenam Agni providi,…
Ad templa nos rursus vocat
Hymnology
A publication and text-historical record of Charles Coffin’s morning hymn for Sunday Lauds, charting its intr…
Adeste fideles laeti triumphantes
History
Comprehensive entry for the celebrated Christmas hymn "Adeste fideles," tracing its origin, Latin textual tra…
Adeste, Coelitum chori
History
Historical entry for Nicholas le Tourneaux's Latin Easter hymn "Adeste, Coelitum chori," appointed for Matins…
Adesto sancta Trinitas
History
Historical entry for the anonymous medieval hymn "Adesto sancta Trinitas," examining its manuscript sources, …
Adoro Te devote, latens Deitas
History
Detailed history of St. Thomas Aquinas's famous Eucharistic hymn "Adoro Te devote," tracing its origins, litu…
Aeterna coeli gloria
History
Hymnological profile of the fifth-century Friday Lauds hymn "Aeterna coeli gloria," detailing its manuscript …
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…
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…
Agnoscat omne saeculum
History
Hymnological record of Venantius Fortunatus's sixth-century Christmas hymn "Agnoscat omne saeculum," detailin…