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Daniel Ben Judah: Yigdal

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Praise to You, Living God,

All praised be Your name,

Who was, and is, and is to be,

For aye the same.

The one eternal God,

Ere ought that now appears:

The First, the Last, beyond all thought

Your timeless years.

Formless, all lovely forms

Declare Your loveliness;

Holy, all holiness of earth

Does Yours express.

Lo, You are God of all!

Creation speaks Your praise

And everywhere above, below,

Your will obeys.

Your spirit now flows free,

High surging where it will:

In prophet’s word You spoke of old,—

And You speak still.

Established is Your law,

And changeless it shall stand,

Deep writ upon the human heart

On sea or land.

Eternal life You have

Implanted in the soul;

Your love shall be our strength and stay

While ages roll.

Praise be to You, O God!

All praised be Your name,

Who was, and is, and is to be

For aye the same!

 

Daniel Ben Judah (c. 14th-century) was a poet of Jewish liturgy in 14th-century Rome. He composed the well-known hymn Yigdal Elohim Hai containing the thirteen articles of belief of Maimonides, one of the most prominent philosophers in Jewish history.