Words: From The Yigdal of Daniel ben Judah, circa 1400, paraphrased by Thomas Olivers, circa 1765; first appeared in John Wesley's Pocket Hymnbook for the Use of Christians of All Denominations, 1785. The lyrics are based on the 13 creeds of Moses Maimonides (circa 1130 - circa 1204).
Daniel ben Judah was a Jewish judge in Rome.
Music: "Leoni," Hebrew melody, Sacred Harmony, 1780
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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 blessed.
Formless, all lovely forms declare His loveliness;
Holy, no holiness on earth can His express.
Lo, He is Lord of all, creation speaks His praise,
And everywhere, above, below, His will obeys.
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.
He knoweth every thought, our secrets open lie,
End as beginning clear to His all seeing eye.
Wih perfect poise He binds, accordant to the deed,
To wrong the doom, to right the joy, in measured meed.
The God of Abraham praise, Whose all sufficient grace
Shall guide me all my happy days, in all my ways.
He calls a worm His friend, He calls Himself my God;
And He shall save me to the end, through Jesus' blood.
The great I AM has sworn; I on this oath depend.
I shall, on eagle wings upborne, to heaven ascend.
I shall behold God's face; I shall God's power adore,
And sing the wonders of God's grace forevermore.
Though nature's strength decay, and earth and hell withstand,
To Canaan's bounds I urge my way, at His command.
The watery deep I pass, with Jesus in my view;
And through the howling wilderness my way pursue.
The heavenly land I see, with peace and plenty blessed;
A land of sacred liberty, and endless rest.
There milk and honey flow, and oil and wine abound,
And trees of life forever grow with mercy crowned.
There dwells the Lord our King, the Lord our righteousness,
Triumphant over the world and sin, the Prince of peace;
On Zion's sacred height His kingdom still maintains,
And glorious with His saints in light forever reigns.
He keeps His own secure, He guards them by His side,
Arrays in garments white and pure His spotless bride:
With streams of sacred bliss, with groves of living joys,
With all the fruits of paradise, He still supplies.
Before the great Three-One they all exulting stand,
And tell the wonders He hath done, through all their land:
The listening spheres attend, and swell the growing fame;
And sing, in songs which never end, the wondrous Name.
The God Who reigns on high the great archangels sing,
And "Holy, holy, holy!" cry, "Almighty King!
Who was, and is, the same, and evermore shall be:
Jehovah, Lord, the great I AM, we worship Thee!"
Before the Savior's face the ransomed nations bow.
Overwhelmed at His almighty grace, forever new:
He shows His prints of love-they kindle to a flame!
And sound through all the worlds above the slaughtered Lamb.
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.
Hymns supplied through the gracious generosity of the Cyber Hymnal Website