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 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 pilgrim through this lonely world
Hymn
Sir Edward Denny's solemn 1839 Passiontide hymn detailing Christ's earthly isolation, popular within Plymouth…
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. (Ann Gilbert)
History
The signature "A." as used to denote Ann Gilbert (née Taylor) in William Bengo Collyer's Collection of Hymns,…
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…
A. T. R.
History
The initials "A. T. R." used in Psalms and Hymns (1851) to sign original contributions and translations by th…
Abba Father! we approach Thee
Hymnology
A publication and editorial history of James George Deck's evangelical hymn centered on the theme of divine a…
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…
Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid
Hymnology
A publication and authorship history of the German hymn of consolation attributed to Martin Moller, charting …
Ach! treuer Gott, barmherzigs Herz
Hymnology
A publication history of Paul Gerhardt's hymn of comfort, detailing its origin from Johann Arndt's devotional…
Adam, our father and our head
Hymnology
A publication and structural history of Isaac Watts’s hymn on the Fall of Man, detailing its origin in the Ho…
Adams, John Quincy
Hymnology
A biographical overview of John Quincy Adams as a hymn writer and poet, detailing his sacred metrical works, …
Addison, Joseph
History
Biographical and historical entry for Joseph Addison (1672–1719), English essayist, statesman, and author of …
Adeste fideles laeti triumphantes
History
Comprehensive entry for the celebrated Christmas hymn "Adeste fideles," tracing its origin, Latin textual tra…
Adored for ever be the Lord
History
Entry for the metrical psalm cento "Adored for ever be the Lord" based on Psalm 28, featured in the 1872 Amer…
Adoro Te devote, latens Deitas
History
Detailed history of St. Thomas Aquinas's famous Eucharistic hymn "Adoro Te devote," tracing its origins, litu…
Aeterne Rex altissime, Redemptor
History
Comprehensive entry for the Ascension hymn "Aeterne Rex altissime, Redemptor," exploring its complex authorsh…
Afflicted soul, to Jesus dear
Hymn
Hymnological profile of John Fawcett's eighteenth-century hymn on divine support during affliction, including…