HymnInfo
About HymnInfo
Helping people learn, understand, and sing the great hymns of the Church
About HymnInfo
HymnInfo was created to help churches, worship leaders, choir members, teachers, pastors, and hymn lovers discover the history, Scripture, theology, tunes, and meaning behind the hymns they sing.
The website brings together hymn studies, contributor information, biblical references, audio resources, teaching presentations, small-group handouts, sermon outlines, and other materials intended to support worship, Christian education, and personal study.
Founder and Editor
About the Founder
Honezi A. Guevarra
Founder and Editor of HymnInfo
My name is Honezi A. Guevarra, founder and editor of HymnInfo.
I was raised in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, or UCCP. Hymns were part of my life from an early age. We had a hymnal at home, and my late father taught our family to sing many well-loved hymns, including How Great Thou Art and What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
I began learning to play the guitar when I was twelve years old and later served as an accompanist in our local church. Those early experiences helped shape my appreciation for congregational singing and for the important role music plays in Christian worship.
As an adult, I joined Ellinwood Malate Church, also a UCCP congregation. I became a member of the Vesper Choir and the Ellinwood Psalm Ensemble. The Vesper Choir provides choral music for the church’s 5:00 p.m. worship service.
During the pandemic, I helped host our online worship services and was responsible for preparing hymn accompaniments. Members of the Vesper Choir recorded hymns and anthems from their homes so that we could continue sharing music during online worship.
Through that experience, I came to appreciate the old hymns even more deeply. I began exploring their histories, writers, tunes, biblical foundations, and theological messages. That growing interest eventually led to the creation of HymnInfo.
Why HymnInfo Exists
Many hymns contain rich stories and biblical truths that are not immediately apparent from the words alone.
HymnInfo seeks to help visitors go beyond simply singing a hymn by learning:
- Who wrote the text and composed the tune
- What circumstances influenced its creation
- Which passages of Scripture connect with its message
- What theological themes it expresses
- How it may be used in worship, teaching, and Christian formation
My hope is that understanding these things will make the singing of hymns more thoughtful, meaningful, and spiritually enriching.
How the Content Is Prepared
HymnInfo uses historical references, hymnological sources, Scripture study, editorial research, and digital tools to organize and develop its content.
Technology, including AI-assisted research and drafting tools, may help organize information and prepare initial material. However, the goal is to review and refine the content for historical responsibility, theological usefulness, copyright awareness, and suitability for church ministry.
Historical sources do not always agree. Whenever possible, HymnInfo seeks to distinguish documented information from tradition, interpretation, or uncertain attribution.
Corrections, additional sources, and helpful feedback are always welcome.
For churches and learners
Free Ministry Resources
Many HymnInfo teaching materials and downloadable resources are available free for personal, educational, and local church ministry use.
Voluntary support helps cover website hosting, research, maintenance, and the continued development of new hymn studies and ministry resources.