Dictionary of Hymnology
Learn hymn terms, meters, forms, and the history behind Christian worship music — curated for hymn lovers, worship leaders, and students.
Aeterna coeli gloria
History
Hymnological profile of the fifth-century Friday Lauds hymn "Aeterna coeli gloria," detailing its manuscript …
A beautiful land by faith I see
Hymn
A popular nineteenth-century Sunday School hymn about Heaven, first published anonymously in 1862 and later a…
Scottish Translations and Paraphrases
Hymnology
A detailed publication, authorship, and committee breakdown of the 1781 Scottish Translations and Paraphrases…
Henry Ainsworth
Hymnology
Life and scholarly legacy of Henry Ainsworth, the seventeenth-century Separatist leader whose Hebrew translat…
Agnus Dei Qui tollis peccata mundi
History
Hymnological record of the Agnus Dei, detailing its liturgical origins, medieval development, Reformation ada…
A day, a day of glory
Hymn
John Mason Neale's joyful 1860 Christmas carol, written expressly for Edmund Sedding's Antient Christmas Caro…
Unitarian Hymnody
Hymnology
An extensive historical overview of English Unitarian hymnody, its doctrinal evolution from Presbyterian root…
John Quincy, Adam
History
Biographical entry for John Quincy Adams (1767–1848), sixth President of the United States, diplomat, Unitari…
All hail, dear Conqueror, all hail
History
Overview of Frederick William Faber's Easter hymn "All hail, dear Conqueror, all hail," originally titled "Je…
Scottish Hymnody
History
An historical account of congregational song in Scotland from the Reformation to the mid-nineteenth century, …
All glory to our gracious Lord
History
An overview of Charles Wesley's twenty-two stanza paraphrase of Psalm 118, "All glory to our gracious Lord," …
All glory and praise to Jesus our Lord
History
Overview of Charles Wesley's hymn "All glory and praise to Jesus our Lord," written on the gift of the Holy S…
A. (Joseph Addison)
History
The signature "A." used to denote hymns by Joseph Addison in the Bristol Baptist Collection compiled by John …
Adeste fideles laeti triumphantes
History
Comprehensive entry for the celebrated Christmas hymn "Adeste fideles," tracing its origin, Latin textual tra…
A charge to keep I have
Hymn
Charles Wesley's famous hymn of personal responsibility, first published in 1762 and based on Leviticus 8:35.
Alas! and did my Saviour bleed
History
An in-depth historical profile of Isaac Watts's monumental 1707 Passion hymn, detailing its theological impac…
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…
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
Hymnology
A comprehensive chronicle of Henry Francis Lyte’s renowned hymn, detailing its poignant composition context i…
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…
A good High Priest is come
History
John Cennick's 1744 hymn on the priesthood of Christ, compiled by George Whitefield and John Rippon for wides…