God Of Abraham Praise

Grade Level 2

Year: 2007

Type: Hymn/Song Arrangement

Composer: Shawn Okpebholo

Program Notes:

Thomas Olivers (1725-1799) adapted “The God of Abraham Praise” from a medieval Jewish doxology.  He heard this sung by Meyer Leoni in a London synagogue and was so impressed with it that he adapted the melody and lyrics to make a Christian hymn. 

After being orphaned at a young age, Olivers grew up poorly educated and godless but was converted after hearing a sermon by George Whitefield.  He eventually became a traveling evangelist associated with John Wesley and was buried at the same chapel as Wesley.

This arrangement seeks to capture the triumphant mood of the lyrics and some of the characteristic mode of the melody.  There were originally twelve verses written, and while many hymnals reduce it to only five or six verses, it is often praised for its grand poetry.

American Instrumental Ensemble Series (AIES/ABES)