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 mighty mystery we set forth
History
George Rawson's 1857 baptismal hymn exploring the spiritual union of the believer with Christ's death and res…
A. L. W.
History
The initials "A. L. W." used in various hymn collections to sign the deeply devotional work of Welsh poet and…
Abide in me, and I in you
Hymnology
A publication trace of Bishop Edward Henry Bickersteth's devotional hymn on abiding in Christ, covering its i…
Accepting, Lord, Thy gracious call
Hymnology
A publication history of Christopher Newman Hall's hymn on Christian discipleship, documenting its origin as …
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 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…
Adam of St. Victor
Hymnology
A biographical and text-critical overview of Adam of St. Victor, the premier Latin sequence writer of the twe…
Adeste fideles laeti triumphantes
History
Comprehensive entry for the celebrated Christmas hymn "Adeste fideles," tracing its origin, Latin textual tra…
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…
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…
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…
Alas! what hourly dangers rise
History
Anne Steele's 1760 hymn on Christian vigilance and prayer, detailing its biblical roots in Matthew 26 and its…
All hail, Incarnate God
History
Overview of Elizabeth Scott's eighteenth-century hymn "All hail, Incarnate God," written on the glory and per…
All hearts to Thee are open here
Hymnology
Overview of James Montgomery's hymn "All hearts to Thee are open here," composed for a Sunday School annivers…