1. The God of Abraham praise, Who reigns enthroned above; Ancient of everlasting days, And God of Love; Jehovah, great I AM, By earth and heaven confessed; I bow and bless the sacred name, Forever blest. 2. The God of Abraham praise, At whose supreme command From earth I rise, and seek the joys At His right hand. I all on earth forsake, Its wisdom, fame and power; And Him my only portion make, My shield and tower. 3. He by Himself hath sworn, I on His oath depend, I shall, on eagles wings upborne, To heaven ascend; I shall behold His face, I shall His power adore, And sing the wonders of His grace Forevermore. 4. The whole triumphant host Give thanks to God on high; "Hail, Father, Son and Holy Ghost!" They ever cry. Hail, Abraham's God and mine! I join the heavenly lays; All might and majesty Are Thine and endless praise.
Lyrics: Thomas Olivers; from "The Yigdal of Daniel ben Judah"
Music: Hebrew melody
Tune: LEONI
Meter: 6.6.8.4.D.
Thomas Olivers, 1725–1799
Based on the revised Yigdal of Daniel ben Judah, 14th century
Thomas Olivers, author of “The God of Abraham Praise,” was one of John Wesley’s 18th century evangelists. He traveled extensively throughout England and Ireland, fearlessly preaching the gospel but often encountering violent opposition. Olivers stated that he wrote this hymn after listening to the preaching of a Jewish rabbi at the Duke’s Place Synagogue, Oldgate, London. There he also heard Meyer Lyon (Leoni), a well-known Jewish cantor, sing the “Doxology of Yigdal” from the Hebrew liturgy. Composed around 1400, the Yigdal was based upon the thirteen articles of Jewish faith. Olivers was so impressed by the service and especially the music that he began writing this text to fit the meter of the tune he had heard. The name of the melody used, “Leoni,” was in honor of Cantor Meyer Lyon.