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 Patre Unigenitus
History
An anonymous Latin Epiphany hymn originating between the tenth and thirteenth centuries, notable for its uniq…
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 sure and tried foundation stone
Hymnology
A historical summary of James Montgomery's 1822 foundation stone hymn, detailing its composition for St. Phil…
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…
A. T.
History
The signature "A. T." used in Joseph Francis Thrupp's Psalms and Hymns (1853) to sign the work of Adelaide Th…
According to Thy gracious word
Hymnology
A publication history of James Montgomery's communion hymn, detailing its 1825 debut, various textual alterat…
Ach Gott vom Himmel, sieh darein (English Translations)
Hymnology
A bibliography of English translations of Martin Luther's Psalm 12 paraphrase, documenting both the common us…
Ad coenam Agni providi
Hymnology
A comprehensive text-critical history of the ancient Latin Easter Vesper hymn, charting its earliest manuscri…
Ad perennis vitae fontem mens sitivit arida
Hymnology
A text-critical history of Cardinal Peter Damiani's celebrated sequence on the Glory of Paradise, examining i…
Ad regias Agni dapes
History
A publication registry of the classicized Roman Breviary revision of the Easter hymn 'Ad coenam Agni providi,…
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…
Adoro Te devote, latens Deitas
History
Detailed history of St. Thomas Aquinas's famous Eucharistic hymn "Adoro Te devote," tracing its origins, litu…
Adsis superne Spiritus, Pater benigne pauperum
History
Hymnological profile of "Adsis superne Spiritus, Pater benigne pauperum," an anonymous 18th-century Whitsunti…
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…
Again our ears have heard the voice
History
Hymnological profile of James Montgomery's nineteenth-century hymn for the close of Divine Service, "Again ou…
Again the day returns of holy rest
Hymnology
Hymnological profile of William Mason's eighteenth-century Sunday morning hymn, detailing its publication alo…
Ah, what a wretch am I
History
Hymnological entry for Charles Wesley's 1749 Watch-night hymn "Ah, what a wretch am I," detailing its publica…