14. The God of Abraham praise
Daniel Ben Judah, 14th century
Revised version by Thomas Olivers, 1725-99
This praise hymn, with its magnificent tune, had its origin in a Jewish synagogue in London. Thomas Olivers, a Welshman and follower of John Wesley, spent fifty years of his life as a Methodist minister, during which time he travelled more than 100,000 miles on horseback in his evangelistic work. His fame, however, rests upon this hymn. While visiting in London, he went to the Great Synagogue in Duke’s Place and heard the cantor sing the Hebrew Yigdal or doxology, in which the articles of the Jewish faith are recited. Upon hearing this, Oliver wrote “The God of Abraham praise,” a Christian version of the Yigdal. The original is by Daniel Ben Judah of the 14th century. Oliver then called on the Cantor, Meyer Leoni, who gave him this melody to suit the hymn he had written.
MUSIC. LEONI, according to Winfield Douglas, is probably not older than the 17th century and is not related to ancient Jewish music. Although written in a minor key, it strikes the note of praise. Its rhythm and vigor of movement adapts it well for use as a processional or recessional hymn.