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…
All hail, Redeemer of mankind
Hymnology
Overview of Charles Wesley's Eucharistic hymn "All hail, Redeemer of mankind," published in Hymns on the Lord…
All that's good, and great, and true
History
Overview of Godfrey Thring's hymn "All that's good, and great, and true," written on nature's harmony.
All ye who seek a rest above
History
History of Godfrey Thring's Communion hymn "All ye who seek a rest above," written in 1863.
Alleluia, sing to Jesus
Hymn
History of William Chatterton Dix's Eucharistic hymn "Alleluia, sing to Jesus," written in 1866 for Ascension…
Another day begun!
Hymnology
An entry on John Ellerton's weekday morning hymn for Tuesday.
Another year hath fled, renew
Hymnology
An entry on Arthur Tozer Russell's New Year hymn and its textual revisions.
Are there not in the labourer's day?
Hymnology
An entry on Charles Wesley's hymn regarding duty and spiritual safety.
Arise, my tenderest thoughts, arise
Hymnology
An entry on Philip Doddridge's hymn on sorrow for sin and missionary devotion.
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…