Dictionary of Hymnology
Learn hymn terms, meters, forms, and the history behind Christian worship music — curated for hymn lovers, worship leaders, and students.
A debtor to mercy alone
Hymn
Augustus Montague Toplady's celebrated hymn on the assurance of faith, first published in the Gospel Magazine…
A Friend there is; your voices join
Hymn
Joseph Swain’s poignant 1791 hymn on Christ’s friendship, composed following the tragic loss of his only son.
A little while and every fear
Hymn
Dr. Robert Kaye Greville's 1834 devotional hymn expressing the believer's patient anticipation of the Lord, p…
A pilgrim through this lonely world
Hymn
Sir Edward Denny's solemn 1839 Passiontide hymn detailing Christ's earthly isolation, popular within Plymouth…
A. T. R.
History
The initials "A. T. R." used in Psalms and Hymns (1851) to sign original contributions and translations by th…
Ad templa nos rursus vocat
Hymnology
A publication and text-historical record of Charles Coffin’s morning hymn for Sunday Lauds, charting its intr…
Addison, Lancelot
History
Biographical entry for Lancelot Addison (1632–1703), Dean of Lichfield, father of Joseph Addison, and author …
Adeste fideles laeti triumphantes
History
Comprehensive entry for the celebrated Christmas hymn "Adeste fideles," tracing its origin, Latin textual tra…
Kolbe, Frederick William
Hymnology
A biographical profile of Rhenish and London Missionary Society missionary Frederick William Kolbe, highlight…
Temperance Hymnody
Hymnology
An overview of the rise, development, popular compositions, and key contributors of the Temperance hymnody mo…
Unitarian Hymnody
Hymnology
An extensive historical overview of English Unitarian hymnody, its doctrinal evolution from Presbyterian root…