Praise to the Living God

Representative Text

1 Praise to the living God!
All praised be The Name,
which was, and is, and is to be,
for aye the same.
The one eternal God
ere aught that now appears:
the first, the last, beyond all thought
or timeless years.

2 Unformed all lovely forms
declare God's loveliness;
no holiness on earth can e'er
The Name express
whose love enfolds us all;
whose laud the earth displays.
Yea, everywhere, above, below,
is perfect praise.

3 The spirit floweth free,
high surging where it will;
in prophet's word did speak of old,
and speaketh still.
The Torah rests secure,
and changeless it shall stand,
deep writ upon the human heart,
on sea, on land.

4 Eternal life hath God
implanted in the soul;
such love shall be our strength and stay
while ages roll.
Praise to the living God!
All praised be The Name
which was, and is, and is to be,
for aye the same.

Source: Singing the Living Tradition #215

Author: Daniel ben Judah

Born in Italy, a Jewish liturgical poet who lived in Rome. One of his hymns, “Yigdal Elohim Hai” contains the 13 articles of belief of Maimonides. The poem forms part of the morning prayer of Ashkenazims, sung by the Sephardim on Sabbath eves and holy days, included in the Romaniot fritual for Saturday evenings. John Perry Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Praise to the living God! All praised be The Name
Title: Praise to the Living God
Author: Daniel ben Judah
Meter: 6.6.8.4 D
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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Singing the Living Tradition #215

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