Relationship between the bimodule resolution of the group algebra of a finite group G over a commutative ring and the usual projective resolution of the trivial G-module is studied. In particular, an analog of Happel’s lemma is proved; this lemma has been established earlier for finite-dimensional algebras over fields. As an example of application of the results, the bimodule resolution is constructed for the integer group ring of the dihedral group of order 4m. Bibliography: 10 titles.