דרש ר' שמלאי לעולם יסדר אדם שבחו של מקום ואחרי כן יתפלל. לפיכך תקנו לומר 'פסוקי דזמרה' קודם תפלה. וקבעו ברכה אחת לפניהם ואחת לאחריהם, והן ברכות 'ברוך שאמר' ו'ישתבח'. וצריך ליזהר שלא להפסיק ביניהם בדיבור. ויש מקומות שנוהגין לומר 'הודו לה' קראו בשמו' כאשר הוא כתוב בדברי הימים, לפי שדוד קבעו לאומרו בכל יום לפני הארון. ויש שמוסיפים עוד פסוקים אחרים, וכל מקום ומקום כמנהגו (ע"פ טור או"ח נ"א) The following sequence of prayers until Yishtabach is called Pesukei Dezimrah (verses of praise). These selected Scriptural passages were arranged by the Gaonim of the ninth century, in fulfillment of the Talmudic statement (Maseches Berachos 32a), "A person should always praise God first and make his requests [offer his prayers] afterwards." Beginning with the following prayer, it is forbidden to interrupt your prayer with conversation until after the Shemoneh Esrei. You are permitted to answer Amein, respond to Barechu, Kaddish and to say Kedushah even though you are in the midst of Pesukei Dezimrah. You are also permitted to say Modim d'Rabbonon and the first verse of the Shema together with the congregation. If you are concerned that the saying of Kerias Shema will not be within the proper time should you follow the regular order of prayers, you are permitted to recite the entire Kerias Shema during the Pesukei Dezimrah. The first 28 verses of this section are taken from 1 Chronicles 16:8-36, and the first 15 are almost identical with the first fifteen verses of Psalms 105. These prayers are mentioned in Maseches Soferim.
הוֹדוּ לַיהוָֹה קִרְאוּ בִשְׁמוֹ הוֹדִֽיעוּ בָעַמִּים עֲלִילֹתָיו: שִֽׁירוּ לוֹ זַמְּ֒רוּ־לוֹ שִֽׂיחוּ בְּכָל־נִפְלְ֒אוֹתָיו: הִתְהַלְּ֒לוּ בְּשֵׁם קָדְשׁוֹ יִשְׂמַח לֵב מְבַקְשֵׁי יְהֹוָה: דִּרְשׁוּ יְהֹוָה וְעֻזּוֹ בַּקְּ֒שׁוּ פָנָיו תָּמִיד: זִכְרוּ נִפְלְ֒אֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה מֹפְ֒תָיו וּמִשְׁפְּ֒טֵי־פִֽיהוּ: זֶֽרַע יִשְׂרָאֵל עַבְדּוֹ בְּנֵי יַעֲקֹב בְּחִירָיו: הוּא יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ בְּכָל־הָאָֽרֶץ מִשְׁפָּטָיו: זִכְרוּ לְעוֹלָם בְּרִיתוֹ דָּבָר צִוָּה לְאֶֽלֶף דּוֹר: אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת אֶת־אַבְרָהָם וּשְׁבוּעָתוֹ לְיִצְחָק: וַיַּעֲמִידֶֽהָ לְיַעֲקֹב לְחֹק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּרִית עוֹלָם: לֵאמֹר לְךָ אֶתֵּן אֶֽרֶץ־כְּנָעַן חֶֽבֶל נַחֲלַתְכֶם: בִּהְיוֹתְ֒כֶם מְתֵי מִסְפָּר כִּמְעַט וְגָרִים בָּהּ: וַיִּתְהַלְּ֒כוּ מִגּוֹי אֶל־גּוֹי וּמִמַּמְלָכָה אֶל־עַם אַחֵר: לֹא־הִנִּֽיחַ לְאִישׁ לְעָשְׁקָם וַיּֽוֹכַח עֲלֵיהֶם מְלָכִים: אַל־תִּגְּ֒עוּ בִּמְשִׁיחָי וּבִנְבִיאַי אַל־תָּרֵֽעוּ: שִֽׁירוּ לַיהוָֹה כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ בַּשְּׂ֒רוּ מִיּוֹם־אֶל־יוֹם יְשׁוּעָתוֹ: סַפְּ֒רוּ בַגּוֹיִם אֶת־כְּבוֹדוֹ בְּכָל־הָעַמִּים נִפְלְאֹתָיו: כִּי גָדוֹל יְהֹוָה וּמְהֻלָּל מְאֹד וְנוֹרָא הוּא עַל־כָּל־אֱלֹהִים: כִּי כָּל־אֱלֹהֵי הָעַמִּים אֱלִילִים וַיהוָֹה שָׁמַֽיִם עָשָׂה: Give thanks to Adonoy, proclaim His Name; make His deeds1Make His Divine attributes (mercy, kindness, etc.) known to the world.—Siach Yitzchok known among the nations. Sing to Him, compose songs to Him, speak of all His wonders. Take pride2The Jew should be proud at being found worthy to utter God's Name.—Siddur HaGra in [uttering] His holy Name, let the heart rejoice of those who seek3Seeking God is an end in itself and provides joy to those who earnestly seek Him.—Siach Yitzchok Adonoy. Search for Adonoy and His might, seek His presence continually. Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles,4His “miracles” were witnessed by Jew and Egyptian alike in Egypt. His “laws” are the Torah He gave us at Mt. Sinai.—Iyun Tefillah and the laws from His mouth. [You,] the seed of Israel5The entire section—the previous verses as well as the following verses—are addressed to the Jewish People, who are the seed of Israel, the chosen of God, who are asked to remember His wonders, miracles and laws.—Tzelosa d'Avrohom His servant, children of Jacob, His chosen ones. He is Adonoy our God; the entire earth is governed by His laws. Remember His covenant forever— the word He commanded to a thousand generations— which He made as a treaty with Abraham, and [which was] His oath to Isaac. He established it for Jacob as a statute, for Israel as an everlasting covenant.6This verse in following the preceding verse indicates that the original covenant which God made with Abraham was later confirmed to Isaac in an oath and then established for Jacob as a statute. After Jacob was given the name Israel, it became an everlasting covenant.—Tzelosa d'Avrohom Saying, To you I will give the Land of Canaan, the portion of your inheritance. When you were only few in number— very few, and strangers in it. They wandered from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people. He permitted no one to oppress them, and admonished kings7Both Pharaoh and Avimclcch were admonished for Abraham's sake (Genesis 13:17; 20:3,7). for their sakes. Do not touch My anointed ones,8The Hebrew word משיחי can also be translated as “My great ones” and as such refers to the Patriarchs. “My prophets” refers to the Matriarchs, who were known to be prophets. Both were afforded extraordinary Divine protection.—Etz Yosef and do not harm My prophets." Sing to Adonoy all the earth,9Siach Yitzchok maintains that this verse directs Jewry to sing to God in all the lands in which they are dispersed during their exile. Tzelosa d'Avrohom understands the verse to direct all the nations of the earth to sing to God. proclaim His deliverance from day to day.10a) We are to proclaim our deliverance by God even 7 day; b) We are to proclaim that our deliverance by God is a daily experience.—Tzelosa d'Avrohom Recount His glory among the nations, His wonders among all the peoples. For Adonoy is great and most extolled; Awesome is He above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, whereas Adonoy made the heavens.
הוֹד וְהָדָר לְפָנָיו עֹז וְחֶדְוָה בִּמְקֹמוֹ: הָבוּ לַיהוָֹה מִשְׁפְּ֒חוֹת עַמִּים הָבוּ לַיהוָֹה כָּבוֹד וָעֹז: הָבוּ לַיהוָֹה כְּבוֹד שְׁמוֹ שְׂאוּ מִנְחָה וּבֹֽאוּ לְפָנָיו הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לַיהוָֹה בְּהַדְרַת־קֹֽדֶשׁ: חִֽילוּ מִלְּ֒פָנָיו כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ אַף־תִּכּוֹן תֵּבֵל בַּל־תִּמּוֹט: יִשְׂמְחוּ הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְתָגֵל הָאָֽרֶץ וְיֹאמְ֒רוּ בַגּוֹיִם יְהֹוָה מָלָךְ: יִרְעַם הַיָּם וּמְלוֹאוֹ יַעֲלֹץ הַשָּׂדֶה וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר־בּוֹ: אָז יְרַנְּ֒נוּ עֲצֵי הַיָּעַר מִלִּפְנֵי יְהֹוָה כִּי־בָא לִשְׁפּוֹט אֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ: הוֹדוּ לַיהוָֹה כִּי טוֹב כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ: וְאִמְרוּ הוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעֵֽנוּ וְקַבְּ֒צֵֽנוּ וְהַצִּילֵֽנוּ מִן־הַגּוֹיִם לְהוֹדוֹת לְשֵׁם קָדְשֶֽׁךָ לְהִשְׁתַּבֵּֽחַ בִּתְהִלָּתֶֽךָ: בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן־הָעוֹלָם וְעַד הָעֹלָם וַיֹּאמְ֒רוּ כָל־הָעָם אָמֵן וְהַלֵּל לַיהוָֹה: Beauty and splendor are before Him,11The word הוד (beauty) indicates that which is itself beautiful, while הדר (splendor) is the reflection of beauty. For example: the sun's light is “beauty” itself while the moon's light is splendor—a reflection of the sun.—Siddur HaGra strength and joy are in His presence. Give to Adonoy families of peoples— give to Adonoy glory and might. Give to Adonoy the glory due His Name, bring an offering and come before Him, prostrate yourselves before Adonoy in the splendor of holiness.12Etz Yosef understands this as the “holy splendor” of God's Sanctuary. Tzelosa d'Avrohom sees it as the splendor and joy of worship before God, as contrasted with secular, frivolous manifestations of beauty and splendor. Tremble before Him all [peoples of] the earth, for He established the inhabited world so that it cannot be moved. The heavens will rejoice, the earth will exult,13Simcha (rejoicing) describes one's feelings at a new experience of happiness, whereas gila (exultation) describes the feeling one experiences over an ongoing situation of joy. Since there is nothing new on the earth ואין כל־חדש תחת השמש (Koheles 1:9), it is said the earth will exult (gila); but the heavens will rejoice (simcha) because there is חידוש in the heavens.—Vilna Gaon and they will proclaim among the nations: Adonoy has begun His reign. The sea and its fullness will roar; the field and all that is in it will jubilate. Then the trees of the forest will sing with joy, [receding] before Adonoy when He comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to Adonoy, for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting. And say, "Deliver us, God of our deliverance; gather us and save us from the nations, to give thanks to Your holy Name, to be extolled in Your praise."14The fact that we are privileged to sing Your praises and cling to You will make us praiseworthy.—Etz Yosef Blessed is Adonoy, the God of Israel for all eternity, and all the people said: "Amein" and [they] praised Adonoy."
רוֹמְ֒מוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לַהֲדֹם רַגְלָיו קָדוֹשׁ הוּא: רוֹמְ֒מוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְהַר קָדְשׁוֹ כִּי קָדוֹשׁ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ: Exalt Adonoy, our God, and prostrate yourselves at His footstool.15The Holy Temple. Holy is He!16Or Holy is it—i.e., the Temple. Exalt Adonoy, our God, and prostrate yourselves at His holy mountain,17Mount Moriah, upon which the Holy Temple was built, is holy itself even when the Temple is destroyed. The previous verse refers to the time of the Temple, the second verse refers to the period of its destruction.—Etz Yosef for Adonoy our God is holy.
וְהוּא רַחוּם יְכַפֵּר עָוֹן וְלֹא־יַשְׁחִית וְהִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁיב אַפּוֹ וְלֹא־יָעִיר כָּל־חֲמָתוֹ: אַתָּה יְהֹוָה לֹא־תִכְלָא רַחֲמֶֽיךָ מִמֶּֽנִּי חַסְדְּ֒ךָ וַאֲמִתְּ֒ךָ תָּמִיד יִצְּ֒רֽוּנִי: זְכֹר רַחֲמֶֽיךָ יְהֹוָה וַחֲסָדֶֽיךָ כִּי מֵעוֹלָם הֵֽמָּה: תְּנוּ עֹז לֵאלֹהִים עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל גַּאֲוָתוֹ וְעֻזּוֹ בַּשְּׁ֒חָקִים: נוֹרָא אֱלֹהִים מִמִּקְדָּשֶֽׁיךָ אֵל יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא נֹתֵן עֹז וְתַעֲצֻמוֹת לָעָם בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹהִים: אֵל־נְקָמוֹת יְהֹוָה אֵל נְקָמוֹת הוֹפִֽיעַ: הִנָּשֵׂא שֹׁפֵט הָאָֽרֶץ הָשֵׁב גְּמוּל עַל־גֵּאִים: לַיהוָֹה הַיְשׁוּעָה עַל־עַמְּ֒ךָ בִרְכָתֶֽךָ סֶּֽלָה: יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת עִמָּנוּ מִשְׂגָּב לָֽנוּ אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב סֶֽלָה: יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם בֹּטֵֽחַ בָּךְ: יְהֹוָה הוֹשִֽׁיעָה הַמֶּֽלֶךְ יַעֲנֵֽנוּ בְיוֹם־קָרְאֵֽנוּ: And He, the Merciful One, atones iniquity and does not destroy; He frequently withdraws His anger and does not arouse all His rage. You, Adonoy, withhold not Your mercy from me; may Your kindness and Your truth18חסד (kindness) is the good God bestows without a promise, whereas אמת (truth) is the fulfillment of His promise.—Siach Yitzchok always protect me. Remember Your mercies Adonoy and kindnesses, for they are from the beginning of the world.19God's mercies to mankind started from the very day that Adam was created. God created the world in order to fill it with kindness as it is said: “A world of kindness was built” (Psalms 89:3).—Rashi Give might to God,20Attribute your victories to God's might rather than to your own.—Siach Yitzchok. Rashbam and others hold that since God's actions are a reflection of Israel's deeds, the latter are, in a sense, the source of His might. Thus when Israel follows the wishes of God, they give might to Him. His pride (majesty) hovers over Israel, and His might is in the clouds. You are awesome, God, from Your Sanctuaries,21There is a spiritual Temple in the heavens which corresponds to the Temple on earth.—Radak. The Talmud (Maseches Zevachim 115b) notes that the word ממקדשיך may also be read ממקדשיך, from Your holy people, indicating that God is especially demanding of the most adherent to the Torah. When this occurs, the world is filled with awe and fear of God. Almighty of Israel— He grants might and power to the people; blessed is God. Almighty of vengeance, Adonoy, Almighty of vengeance, reveal Yourself.22These two verses (94:1-2) are an appeal to God during a time fraught with the sufferings of exile, when it seems as if God has forsaken His people. He is urged to reveal Himself as the Mighty champion of justice—S.R. Hirsch Arise, Judge of the earth! Repay the arrogant their just reward. Deliverance is Adonoy's.23Only God knows what is true deliverance for a person. Prayer is not always answered, because God in His infinite wisdom knows that granting the request is not always for our benefit. We must therefore bless and offer thanks to God regardless of whether our petition has been granted.—Siach Yitzchok Upon Your people is Your blessing. Selah. Adonoy of Hosts is with us, a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob. Selah. Adonoy of Hosts! Fortunate is the man who trusts in You. Adonoy, deliver [us]. The King will answer us on the day we call.
הוֹשִֽׁיעָה אֶת־עַמֶּֽךָ וּבָרֵךְ אֶת־נַחֲלָתֶֽךָ וּרְעֵם וְנַשְּׂ֒אֵם עַד־הָעוֹלָם: נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ חִכְּ֒תָה לַיהוָֹה עֶזְרֵֽנוּ וּמָגִנֵּֽנוּ הוּא: כִּי־בוֹ יִשְׂמַח לִבֵּֽנוּ כִּי בְשֵׁם קָדְשׁוֹ בָטָֽחְנוּ: יְהִי־חַסְדְּ֒ךָ יְהֹוָה עָלֵֽינוּ כַּאֲשֶׁר יִחַֽלְנוּ לָךְ: הַרְאֵֽנוּ יְהֹוָה חַסְדֶּֽךָ וְיֶשְׁעֲךָ תִּֽתֶּן־לָֽנוּ: קֽוּמָה עֶזְרָֽתָה לָּנוּ וּפְ֒דֵֽנוּ לְמַֽעַן חַסְדֶּֽךָ: אָנֹכִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ הַמַּעַלְךָ מֵאֶֽרֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם הַרְחֶב־פִּֽיךָ וַאֲמַלְאֵֽהוּ: אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁכָּֽכָה לּוֹ אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁיְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָיו: וַאֲנִי בְּחַסְדְּ֒ךָ בָטַֽחְתִּי יָגֵל לִבִּי בִּישׁוּעָתֶֽךָ אָשִֽׁירָה לַיהוָֹה כִּי גָמַל עָלָי: Deliver Your people and bless Your inheritance, tend them and uplift them forever.24Radak understands David to be asking God to raise the People of Israel above their enemies. Ibn Ezra says that God is being asked to act like a shepherd who brings his flock to high ground to save them from beasts of prey. Our soul yearned for Adonoy, our help and our shield is He. For in Him our hearts will rejoice, for in His holy Name we trusted. May Your kindness, Adonoy, be upon us, as we have waited for You. Show us Your kindness, Adonoy, and grant25We hope to earn redemption through our deeds, but if we are found wanting, then “show us Your kindness"—overlook our deficiencies and “grant” us salvation.—Radak us Your deliverance. Arise—come to our aid, and redeem us for the sake of Your kindness. I am Adonoy, Your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.26Request all that you desire and I will fulfill every request.—Ibn Ezra. The Jerusalem Talmud (Maseches Taanis 3:6) indicates that the more one requests God׳s providence—the “wider he opens his mouth"—the more he shows his belief in God's ability to provide all of man's needs. Fortunate is the people whose lot is thus, fortunate is the people for whom Adonoy is their God. In Your loving kindness I trust, My heart will exult in Your deliverance; I will sing to Adonoy, for He dealt kindly with me.27The foremost level of man's trust in God is manifested in three situations: a) when he is confronted with trouble, b) when he seeks help, and c) after he has been helped. The Psalmist says: In my time of trouble, I trust in Your kindliness; I seek only Your help, for my heart exults in Your salvation; and I will sing to You afterwards for You have dealt kindly with me.—Siddur HaGra
מזמור זה אמרו שלמה בשעה שהכניס הארון לבית קודש הקודשים, ולא נענה עד שהזכיר זכות דוד. ולפי שכל פסוקי דזמרה הם פסוקי דוד המלך, לפיכך הקדימו מקודם מזמור זה שבו נגלה צדקתו (ערוה"ש נ, ד) Psalm 30, once used to inaugurate the Holy Temple, is used today to inaugurate our daily prayers, for the synagogue is a "Holy Temple in miniature" and our prayers take the place of the sacrifices. It is both a prayer for success and a declaration of thanksgiving.
מִזְמוֹר שִׁיר־חֲנֻכַּת הַבַּֽיִת לְדָוִד: אֲרוֹמִמְךָ יְהֹוָה כִּי דִלִּיתָֽנִי וְלֹא־שִׂמַּֽחְתָּ אֹיְ֒בַי לִי: יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָי שִׁוַּעְתִּי אֵלֶֽיךָ וַתִּרְפָּאֵֽנִי: יְהֹוָה הֶעֱלִֽיתָ מִן־שְׁאוֹל נַפְשִׁי חִיִּיתַֽנִי מִיָּרְ֒דִי־בוֹר: זַמְּ֒רוּ לַיהוָֹה חֲסִידָיו וְהוֹדוּ לְזֵֽכֶר קָדְשׁוֹ: כִּי רֶֽגַע בְּאַפּוֹ חַיִּים בִּרְצוֹנוֹ בָּעֶֽרֶב יָלִין בֶּֽכִי וְלַבֹּֽקֶר רִנָּה: וַאֲנִי אָמַֽרְתִּי בְשַׁלְוִי בַּל־אֶמּוֹט לְעוֹלָם: יְהֹוָה בִּרְצוֹנְ֒ךָ הֶעֱמַֽדְתָּה לְהַרְרִי עֹז הִסְתַּֽרְתָּ פָנֶֽיךָ הָיִֽיתִי נִבְהָל: אֵלֶֽיךָ יְהֹוָה אֶקְרָא וְאֶל־אֲדֹנָי אֶתְחַנָּן: מַה־בֶּֽצַע בְּדָמִי בְּרִדְתִּי אֶל שָֽׁחַת הֲיוֹדְ֒ךָ עָפָר הֲיַגִּיד אֲמִתֶּֽךָ: שְׁמַע יְהֹוָה וְחָנֵּֽנִי יְהֹוָה הֱיֵה־עֹזֵר לִי: הָפַֽכְתָּ מִסְפְּדִי לְמָחוֹל לִי פִּתַּחְתָּ שַׂקִּי וַתְּ֒אַזְּ֒רֵֽנִי שִׂמְחָה: לְמַֽעַן יְזַמֶּרְךָ כָבוֹד וְלֹא יִדֹּם יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי לְעוֹלָם אוֹדֶֽךָּ: A Psalm, a song for the inauguration of the Temple, by David.1Solomon built the Temple. Why, then, is its inauguration attributed to David? Rashi explains: David composed the song which would be sung at the inauguration later, in Solomon's days. I will exalt You, Adonoy, for You have upheld me,2Radak writes that the Hebrew word דליתני is an expression used to describe either a down-trodden or an uplifted state. The downtrodden state of the Jewish people is actually part of their uplifting says the Sfas Emes, as it is said, “when I was brought low, He delivered me” (Psalms 116:6). “My downtrodden state was the cause of my salvation,” proclaims David, just as when one lowers a bucket (דלי) into a well in order to bring up the water. and not let my foes rejoice over me. Adonoy, my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. Adonoy, You have raised my soul from the lower world. You have kept me alive, lest I descend to the Pit. Sing to Adonoy, [you,] His pious ones, and give thanks to His holy Name.3The literal translation of זכר קודשו is His ׳holy remembrance,’ but it refers to His Name; for the titles we bestow upon Him are our means of remembering Him.— Radak For His anger lasts only a moment,4A moment is a measure of time. God's anger is limited to time (be it long or short) but God's favor is unlimited.—Sfas Emes but there is [long] life, in His conciliation. In the evening, one retires weeping, but in the morning there is [a cry of] joy! I said, in my serenity, I would never be moved. [But,] Adonoy, it was Your will [alone] that established my mountain as a stronghold. When You concealed Your Presence, I was terrified. To You, Adonoy, I called, and my Master I beseeched. What gain is there in [the shedding of] my blood? In my going down to destruction? Will the dust acknowledge You? Will it proclaim Your truth? Hear [me] Adonoy, and be gracious to me, Adonoy, be a help to me. You have turned my mourning into dancing, You have loosened my sackcloth and supported me with joy. In order that my soul5The literal translation of כבוד is glory. Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz explained that the soul is called כבוד because its only function is to give glory to God. might sing to You and not be stilled, Adonoy, my God, forever will I thank You.
יְהוָֹה מֶֽלֶךְ, יְהוָֹה מָלָֽךְ, יְהוָֹה יִמְלֹךְ, לְעֹלָם וָעֶד: יְהוָֹה מֶֽלֶךְ, יְהוָֹה מָלָֽךְ, יְהוָֹה יִמְלֹךְ, לְעֹלָם וָעֶד: וְהָיָה יְהוָֹה לְמֶֽלֶךְ עַל־כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ, בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְהוָֹה אֶחָד, וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד: Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King Adonoy will be King forever and ever. Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King Adonoy will be King forever and ever. And Adonoy will be King over the whole earth; on that day Adonoy will be One and His Name One.
הֽוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, וְקַבְּ֒צֵֽנוּ מִן־הַגּוֹיִם לְהוֹדוֹת לְשֵׁם קָדְשֶֽׁךָ, לְהִשְׁתַּבֵּֽחַ בִּתְהִלָּתֶֽךָ: בָּרוּךְ יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, מִן־הָֽעוֹלָם וְעַד הָֽעוֹלָם, וְאָמַר כָּל־הָעָם אָמֵן, הַֽלְ֒לוּיָהּ: כֹּל הַנְּ֒שָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּל יָהּ, הַֽלְ֒לוּיָהּ: Deliver us Adonoy, our God, and gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to Your holy Name— to be extolled in Your praise. Blessed is Adonoy, God of Israel from the world till the next world and all the people said: "Amen, Praise God." Let every soul praise God. Praise God.
לַמְנַצֵּֽחַ בִּנְגִינֹת מִזְמוֹר שִׁיר: אֱלֹהִים יְחָנֵּֽנוּ וִיבָרְ֒כֵֽנוּ יָאֵר פָּנָיו אִתָּֽנוּ סֶֽלָה: לָדַֽעַת בָּאָֽרֶץ דַּרְכֶּֽךָ בְּכָל־גּוֹיִם יְשׁוּעָתֶֽךָ: יוֹדֽוּךָ עַמִּים אֱלֹהִים יוֹדֽוּךָ עַמִּים כֻּלָּם: יִשְׂמְחוּ וִירַנְּ֒נוּ לְאֻמִּים כִּי־תִשְׁפֹּט עַמִּים מִישֹׁר וּלְאֻמִּים בָּאָֽרֶץ תַּנְחֵם סֶֽלָה: יוֹדֽוּךָ עַמִּים אֱלֹהִים יוֹדוּךָ עַמִּים כֻּלָּם: אֶֽרֶץ נָתְ֒נָה יְבוּלָהּ יְבָרְ֒כֵֽנוּ אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ: יְבָֽרְ֒כֵֽנוּ אֱלֹהִים וְיִירְ֒אוּ אוֹתוֹ כָּל־אַפְסֵי־אָֽרֶץ: To the Chief Musician: a Psalm with instrumental music, a song. [May] God favor us and bless us, [may He] cause His countenance to shine among us Selah; [So] that Your way become known on earth, [and] Your deliverance among all nations. Peoples will thank You, God, all the peoples will thank You. Nations will rejoice and sing when You judge the peoples justly, and lead the nations upon the earth Selah. Peoples will thank You, God, all the peoples will thank You. The earth will have yielded its produce; God, our God, will have blessed us. God will bless us, and they will fear Him— all [men even from] the ends of the earth.
ברוך שאמר צריך לאומרו בניגון ובנעימה כי הוא שיר נאה ונחמד. וכתב בספר היכלות שיש בו פ"ז תיבות וסי' ראשו כתם פז (טור או"ח נא) This blessing introduces the Pesukei Dezimrah . It was mentioned by Rabbi Isaac Alfasi (Rif) over 800 years ago in his commentary to Maseches Berachos 32. The Taz (Orach Chaim 51:1) states that this prayer was instituted by the "Men of the Great Assembly." The blessing contains eighty-seven words suggesting the numerical value of פָּז poz, refined gold.
בָּרוּךְ שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם, בָּרוּךְ הוּא, בָּרוּךְ עֹשֶׂה בְרֵאשִׁית, בָּרוּךְ אוֹמֵר וְעוֹשֶׂה, בָּרוּךְ גּוֹזֵר וּמְקַיֵּם, בָּרוּךְ מְרַחֵם עַל הָאָֽרֶץ, בָּרוּךְ מְרַחֵם עַל הַבְּ֒רִיּוֹת, בָּרוּךְ מְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר טוֹב לִירֵאָיו, בָּרוּךְ חַי לָעַד וְקַיָּם לָנֶֽצַח, בָּרוּךְ פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל, בָּרוּךְ שְׁמוֹ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הָאֵל הָאָב הָרַחֲמָן הַמְּ֒הֻלָּל בְּפֶה עַמּוֹ מְשֻׁבָּח וּמְפֹאָר בִּלְשׁוֹן חֲסִידָיו וַעֲבָדָיו וּבְשִׁירֵי דָוִד עַבְדֶּֽךָ, נְהַלֶּלְךָ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ בִּשְׁבָחוֹת וּבִזְמִירוֹת נְגַדֶּלְךָ וּנְשַׁבֵּחֲךָ וּנְפָאֶרְךָ וְנַזְכִּיר שִׁמְךָ וְנַמְלִיכְךָ מַלְכֵּֽנוּ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, יָחִיד, חֵי הָעוֹלָמִים מֶֽלֶךְ מְשֻׁבָּח וּמְפֹאָר עֲדֵי עַד שְׁמוֹ הַגָּדוֹל: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה מֶֽלֶךְ מְהֻלָּל בַּתִּשְׁבָּחוֹת: Blessed is He Who spoke, and the world came into being, blessed is He; blessed is He Who maintains the creation; blessed is He Who says and does;1God's saying and doing are synonymous and simultaneous as it is said, “By the word of God the heavens were made” (Psalms 33:6).—Etz Yosef blessed is He Who decrees and fulfills;2“Says and does” refers to those things that are not lasting and must be renewed whereas, “He decrees and fulfills,” refers to those things that have קיום, and last forever.—Tzelosa d'Avrohom blessed is He Who has compassion on the earth; blessed is He Who has compassion on the creatures;3Not only is God's compassionate providence concerned with the earth and enduring things, but His compassion and providence extend even to those creatures which are destined to perish.—Avudraham blessed is He Who rewards well those who fear Him, blessed is He Who lives forever and exists eternally; blessed is He Who redeems and saves4God redeems those who are in captivity and saves others from being taken into captivity. blessed is His Name. Blessed are You, Adonoy, our God, King of the Universe, the Almighty, the merciful Father, Who is verbally extolled by His people, praised and glorified by the tongue of His pious ones, and His servants, and through the songs of David Your servant. We will extoll You, Adonoy our God, with praises and psalms; we will exalt, praise, and glorify You; we will mention Your Name, and proclaim You—our King, our God. Unique One, Life of the worlds, King, praised and glorified forever is His great Name. Blessed are You, Adonoy, King, Who is extolled with praises.
מזמור לתודה יש לאומרו בנגינה שכל השירות עתידות ליבטל חוץ ממזמור לתודה (ראה ויק"ר ט,ז). ואין אומרים מזמור לתודה בשבת ויו"ט, או בימי פסח שאין תודה קריבה בהם משום חמץ, ולא בערב פסח. Psalm 100 was recited in the Temple only on those days when thank-offerings were offered on the Altar. It is therefore omitted on Shabbos, on Yom Tov, on the day before Yom Kippur, on the day before Pesach, and also on the intermediate days of Pesach, when only obligatory-offerings were offered. Our Sages declare (Midrash Rabbah Tzav, 9) "In the future, even though all things on earth will be in such an ideal state that there will be no more cause for prayers and offerings, prayers of gratitude, and offerings of thanksgiving will nevertheless not cease." Ordinarily, when a person is saved from a fatal illness, is released from captivity, or returns from a risky journey, he pronounces the special blessing Hagomeil. Our Sages, instituted psalm 100 in our daily prayers as an expression of thanks for the many unrecognized miracles God performs in our behalf every day.
מִזְמוֹר לְתוֹדָה הָרִֽיעוּ לַיהוָֹה כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ: עִבְדוּ אֶת יְהֹוָה בְּשִׂמְחָה בֹּֽאוּ לְפָנָיו בִּרְנָנָה: דְּעוּ כִּי־יְהֹוָה הוּא אֱלֹהִים הוּא עָשָֽׂנוּ וְלוֹ (וְלֹא) אֲנַֽחְנוּ עַמּוֹ וְצֹאן מַרְעִיתוֹ: בֹּֽאוּ שְׁעָרָיו בְּתוֹדָה חֲצֵרֹתָיו בִּתְהִלָּה הֽוֹדוּ לוֹ בָּרְ֒כוּ שְׁמוֹ: כִּי־טוֹב יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ וְעַד־דֹּר וָדֹר אֱמוּנָתוֹ: A psalm of thanksgiving: Shout for joy to Adonoy, everyone on earth. Serve Adony with joy,1To serve God means to devote every moment of one's life to the execution of God's will. We are called upon to dedicate ourselves to this life of Divine service with rejoicing, for only such a life can give us the true joy that comes from constant spiritual and moral growth.—S.R. Hirsch come before Him with exultation. Know that Adonoy is God, He has made us, and we are His,2As is pointed out by the written form לא, which indicates “we are nothing,” we are not even the most insignificant part of our existence to ourselves. In fact, the more we realize that we are לא, insignificant, the more לו אנחנו, we are His.—Sfas Emes His people and the sheep of His pasturing. Enter His gates3The gates of the Temple Mount. with thanksgiving, His courtyards4The courts of the holy Temple. with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His Name for Adonoy is good, His loving kindness is eternal, and to every generation His faithfulness [extends.]
שמונה עשר פסוקי יהי כבוד כנגד שמונה עשרה ברכות דשמונה עשרה. ולפיכך הכניסום בתוך פסוקי דזמרה. (ערוך השולחן, אורח חיים נ, ד) This prayer, mentioned in Maseches Sof'rim 17:11 is a collection of 18 verses from Psalms, Chronicles, and Proverbs, in which the Divine Name (הויה) is mentioned 18 times. Great care should be taken to pronounce the "Name" with the utmost concentration, keeping in mind that He is the Supreme Master of all that exists.
יְהִי כְבוֹד יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם יִשְׂמַח יְהֹוָה בְּמַעֲשָׂיו: יְהִי שֵׁם יְהֹוָה מְבֹרָךְ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד־עוֹלָם: מִמִּזְרַח־שֶֽׁמֶשׁ עַד־מְבוֹאוֹ מְהֻלָּל שֵׁם יְהֹוָה: רָם עַל־כָּל־גּוֹיִם יְהֹוָה עַל הַשָּׁמַֽיִם כְּבוֹדוֹ: יְהֹוָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם יְהֹוָה זִכְרְ֒ךָ לְדֹר־וָדֹר: יְהֹוָה בַּשָּׁמַֽיִם הֵכִין כִּסְאוֹ וּמַלְכוּתוֹ בַּכֹּל מָשָֽׁלָה: יִשְׂמְחוּ הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְתָגֵל הָאָֽרֶץ וְיֹאמְ֒רוּ בַגּוֹיִם יְהֹוָה מָלָךְ: יְהֹוָה מֶֽלֶךְ יְהֹוָה מָלָךְ יְהֹוָה יִמְלֹךְ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד: יְהֹוָה מֶֽלֶךְ עוֹלָם וָעֶד אָבְ֒דוּ גוֹיִם מֵאַרְצוֹ: יְהֹוָה הֵפִיר עֲצַת־גּוֹיִם הֵנִיא מַחְשְׁבוֹת עַמִּים: רַבּוֹת מַחֲשָׁבוֹת בְּלֶב־אִישׁ וַעֲצַת יְהֹוָה הִיא תָקוּם: עֲצַת יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם תַּעֲמֹד מַחְשְׁבוֹת לִבּוֹ לְדֹר וָדֹר: כִּי הוּא אָמַר וַיֶּֽהִי הוּא־צִוָּה וַיַּעֲמֹד: כִּי בָחַר יְהֹוָה בְּצִיּוֹן אִוָּהּ לְמוֹשָׁב לוֹ: כִּי־יַעֲקֹב בָּחַר לוֹ יָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לִסְגֻלָּתוֹ: כִּי לֹא יִטּשׁ יְהֹוָה עַמּוֹ וְנַחֲלָתוֹ לֹא יַעֲזֹב: וְהוּא רַחוּם יְכַפֵּר עָוֹן וְלֹא־יַשְׁחִית וְהִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁיב אַפּוֹ וְלֹא־יָעִיר כָּל־חֲמָתוֹ: יְהֹוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה הַמֶּֽלֶךְ יַעֲנֵֽנוּ בְיוֹם־קָרְאֵֽנוּ: The glory of Adonoy will endure forever; Adonoy will rejoice in His works.1Psalms 104:31. The Name of Adonoy will be blessed from now forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting, praised is the Name of Adonoy. High above all nations is Adonoy, above the heavens is His glory.2Psalms 113:4. Adonoy, Your Name3God's “Name” is the name spelled Yud-Hey-Vuv-Hey. is forever, Adonoy, Your Mention4God's “mention” is the name spelled Alef-Daled-Nun-Yud. In this world God's name is only written as Y-H-V-H but is pronouced Adonoy. In the future world, however, God's Name will be pronounced as it is written. Thus the Psalmist means: “Your Name is eternal, but Your mention is solely from generation to generation.—Siach Yitzchok is for generations.5Psalms 135:13. Adonoy has established His throne in heaven, [but] His dominion rules over all.6Psalms 103:19. The heavens will rejoice, the earth will exult, and they will proclaim among the nations: Adonoy has begun His reign.7I Chronicles 16:31. Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King; Adonoy will be King forever and ever." Adonoy will reign for all eternity [when] nations have perished from His earth.8Psalms 10:16. Adonoy annuls the counsel of nations, He disrupts the intention of peoples.9Psalms 33:10. Many thoughts are in the heart of man, but [only] Adonoy's counsel will endure.10Proverbs 19:21. The counsel of Adonoy will stand forever, the thoughts of His heart throughout all generations.11Psalms 33:11. For He spoke and it came to be; He commanded and it stood.12Psalms 33:9. For Adonoy has chosen Zion; He desired it for His dwelling place.13Psalms 132:13. For God chose Jacob to be His, Israel for His treasure.14Psalms 135:4. For Adonoy will not cast off His people, and His inheritance, He will not abandon.15Psalms 94:13. And He, the Merciful One, atones iniquity; and does not destroy. He frequently withdraws His anger and does not arouse all His rage.16Psalms 78:38. Adonoy, deliver [us!] The King will answer us on the day we call.17Psalms 20:10.
צריך לכוין בתהלה לדוד דא"ר אלעזר כל האומר תהלה לדוד בכל יום ג"פ מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא. ויותר יכוין בפסוק פותח את ידך, שעיקר מה שקבעוהו לומר בכל יום הוא בשביל אותו פסוק, שמזכיר בו שבחו של הקב"ה שמשגיח על בריותיו ומפרנסן. ונהגו לומר קודם לכן אשרי יושבי ביתך משום דילפינן מיניה שצריך אדם לישב שעה אחת קודם שיתפלל. ואחריו נהגו לומר ואנחנו נברך יה (טור, אורח חיים נ"א) Rav S.R. Hirsch writes that the six concluding chapters of the Book of Psalms are the most important gift of David's Divinely-inspired hymns that Israel treasures so greatly. These six psalms, 145-150, are an essential component of our daily prayers. Our Sages attach much significance to Psalm 145 in particular, and stated: "Whoever recites ‘A praise by David' three times a day is assuredly worthy of a share in the world to come" (Maseches Berachos 4b). When recited in prayer this psalm is always introduced with two verses from other Psalms (84:5 and 144:15). These verses contain the word fortunate three times, an allusion to this psalm being recited three times a day. These verses are so closely identified with Psalm 145 that it is commonly referred to as Ashrei (Fortunate).
אַשְׁרֵי יוֹשְׁ֒בֵי בֵיתֶֽךָ עוֹד יְהַלְ֒לֽוּךָ סֶּֽלָה: אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁכָּֽכָה לּוֹ אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁיְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָיו: תְּהִלָּה לְדָוִד אֲרוֹמִמְךָ אֱלוֹהַי הַמֶּֽלֶךְ וַאֲבָרְ֒כָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: בְּכָל־יוֹם אֲבָרְ֒כֶֽךָּ וַאֲהַלְ֒לָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: גָּדוֹל יְהֹוָה וּמְהֻלָּל מְאֹד וְלִגְדֻלָּתוֹ אֵין חֵֽקֶר: דּוֹר לְדוֹר יְשַׁבַּח מַעֲשֶׂיךָ וּגְבוּרֹתֶֽיךָ יַגִּֽידוּ: הֲדַר כְּבוֹד הוֹדֶֽךָ וְדִבְרֵי נִפְלְ֒אֹתֶֽיךָ אָשִֽׂיחָה: וֶעֱזוּז נוֹרְ֒אֹתֶֽיךָ יֹאמֵרוּ וּגְדֻלָּתְ֒ךָ אֲסַפְּ֒רֶֽנָּה: זֵֽכֶר רַב־טוּבְ֒ךָ יַבִּֽיעוּ וְצִדְקָתְ֒ךָ יְרַנֵּֽנוּ: חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם יְהֹוָה אֶֽרֶךְ אַפַּֽיִם וּגְדָל־חָֽסֶד: טוֹב־יְהֹוָה לַכֹּל וְרַחֲמָיו עַל־כָּל־מַעֲשָׂיו: יוֹדֽוּךָ יְהֹוָה כָּל־מַעֲשֶֽׂיךָ וַחֲסִידֶֽיךָ יְבָרְ֒כֽוּכָה: כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתְ֒ךָ יֹאמֵרוּ וּגְבוּרָתְ֒ךָ יְדַבֵּֽרוּ: לְהוֹדִֽיעַ לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם גְּבוּרֹתָיו וּכְבוֹד הֲדַר מַלְכוּתוֹ: מַלְכוּתְ֒ךָ מַלְכוּת כָּל־עֹלָמִים וּמֶמְשַׁלְתְּ֒ךָ בְּכָל־דּוֹר וָדֹר: סוֹמֵךְ יְהֹוָה לְכָל־הַנֹּפְ֒לִים וְזוֹקֵף לְכָל־הַכְּ֒פוּפִים: עֵינֵי־כֹל אֵלֶֽיךָ יְשַׂבֵּֽרוּ וְאַתָּה נוֹתֵן־לָהֶם אֶת־אָכְלָם בְּעִתּוֹ: פּוֹתֵֽחַ אֶת־יָדֶֽךָ וּמַשְׂבִּֽיעַ לְכָל־חַי רָצוֹן: צַדִּיק יְהֹוָה בְּכָל־דְּרָכָיו וְחָסִיד בְּכָל־מַעֲשָׂיו: קָרוֹב יְהֹוָה לְכָל־קֹרְ֒אָיו לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָאֻֽהוּ בֶאֱמֶת: רְצוֹן־יְרֵאָיו יַעֲשֶׂה וְאֶת־שַׁוְעָתָם יִשְׁמַע וְיוֹשִׁיעֵם: שׁוֹמֵר יְהֹוָה אֶת־כָּל־אֹהֲבָיו וְאֵת כָּל־הָרְ֒שָׁעִים יַשְׁמִיד: תְּהִלַּת יְהֹוָה יְדַבֶּר פִּי וִיבָרֵךְ כָּל־בָּשָׂר שֵׁם קָדְשׁוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ נְבָרֵךְ יָהּ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד־עוֹלָם הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ: Fortunate are those who dwell in Your house;1This verse referred to the Kohanim and the Levites who served (dwelt) in the Holy Temple (Your House); it is at all times applicable to scholars and devout men who study and pray in houses of worship and study. may they continue to praise You, Selah.2Psalms 84:5. Fortunate is the people whose lot is thus; fortunate is the people for whom Adonoy is their God.3Psalms 144:15. A praise by David! I will exalt You, my God, the King, and bless Your Name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You4According to Rav S.R. Hirsch, David here declares, “I will dedicate myself to serve You and to fulfill Your will in loyal obedience,” for in serving God, man causes His Name to be blessed. and extol Your Name forever and ever. Adonoy is great and highly extolled, and His greatness is unfathomable. One generation to another will praise Your works, and Your mighty acts they will declare. The splendor of Your glorious majesty, and the words5Not simply נפלאתיך—a report of Your wonders—but דברי נפלאתיך the “words"—the lessons that Your wonders teach.—S.R. Hirsch of Your wonders I will speak. Of Your awesome might, they6People in general will speak of God's wondrous might in punishing the wicked (Sodom, Egypt, etc.) while David will proclaim that God's greatness is measured more by His kindliness than by His awesomeness.—Siach Yitzchok will speak, and Your greatness I will recount. Mention of Your bountifulness they will express, and in Your righteousness joyfully exult. Adonoy is gracious and merciful,7He is gracious in bestowing reward and merciful in punishment.—Siach Yitzchok slow to anger and great in kindliness. Adonoy is good to all, His mercy encompasses all His works. All Your works will thank You, Adonoy, and Your pious ones will bless You.8Your works, which are the cause of your being thanked by sensitive people; similarly, cause your pious ones to bless You.—based on S.R. Hirsch. Of the honor of Your kingship, they will speak, and Your might they will declare. To reveal to men His mighty acts, and the glorious splendor of His kingship. Your kingship is the kingship for all times, and Your dominion is in every generation. Adonoy supports all the fallen, and straightens all the bent. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food at its proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living being. Adonoy is just in all His ways and benevolent in all His deeds.9The penalties for transgressions are just, but God is gracious in the actual punishment inflicted on the sinner.—Siddur HaGra Adonoy is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.10He is near to all who call upon Him, but His nearness can be perceived only by those who call upon Him in truth, who truly mean to have God enter into their lives.—S.R. Hirsch The will of those who fear Him, He fulfills; He hears their cry and delivers them.11While God hears all who cry unto Him in truth. He answers those who fear Him, who subject their desires to His will.—Siach Yitzchok Adonoy watches over all those who love Him, and will destroy all the wicked. Praise of Adonoy, my mouth will declare and all flesh will bless His holy Name forever and ever. And we will bless God from now forever. Praise God.12Psalms 115:18. You should pause between עולם and הללויה. Similarly, in all the Psalms, the word הללויה is not connected to the preceding verse.
זה המזמור מעורר לאדם לעשות תשובה ומעשים טובים בחיים חיותו בעוד שיש נשמתו בו ואל יבטח בבני אדם שאינם יכולים להושיע לעצמם כי בפתע פתאום תצא רוחם מהם לכך מן הראוי לבטוח בהקב"ה שבידו לקיים מה שרוצה לעשות. This Psalm acclaims God's loving care as experienced by each Jew in his own life.
הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ הַלְ֒לִי נַפְשִׁי אֶת־יְהֹוָה: אֲהַלְ֒לָה יְהֹוָה בְּחַיָּי אֲזַמְּ֒רָה לֵאלֹהַי בְּעוֹדִי: אַל־תִּבְטְחוּ בִנְדִיבִים בְּבֶן־אָדָם שֶׁאֵין לוֹ תְשׁוּעָה: תֵּצֵא רוּחוֹ יָשֻׁב לְאַדְמָתוֹ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אָבְ֒דוּ עֶשְׁתֹּנֹתָיו: אַשְׁרֵי שֶׁאֵל יַעֲקֹב בְּעֶזְרוֹ, שִׂבְרוֹ עַל־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָיו: עֹשֶׂה שָׁמַֽיִם וָאָֽרֶץ אֶת־הַיָּם וְאֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־בָּם, הַשֹּׁמֵר אֱמֶת לְעוֹלָם: עֹשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּט לַעֲשׁוּקִים נֹתֵן לֶֽחֶם לָרְ֒עֵבִים יְהֹוָה מַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים: יְהֹוָה פֹּקֵֽחַ עִוְרִים יְהֹוָה זֹקֵף כְּפוּפִים יְהֹוָה אֹהֵב צַדִּיקִים: יְהֹוָה שֹׁמֵר אֶת־גֵּרִים יָתוֹם וְאַלְמָנָה יְעוֹדֵד וְדֶֽרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים יְעַוֵּת: יִמְלֹךְ יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם אֱלֹהַֽיִךְ צִיּוֹן לְדֹר וָדֹר הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ: Praise God! My soul, praise Adonoy. I will praise Adonoy with my life; I will sing to my God as long as I live. Do not place your trust [even] in noble men,13According to the Sages, it is implied that one should not rely even on the merit of his sainted ancestors, the Patriarchs, for deliverance. in man who has no [power of] deliverance. [When] his spirit departs, he returns to his earth;14Only the four cubits of ground which will receive him one day are his; of all the world they are the one possession which is guaranteed to him.—S.R. Hirsch on that day his plans come to naught. Fortunate [is he] when the Almighty of Jacob is his help,15Jacob, more than anyone, sensed God's nearness and protection throughout his difficult life and through all the trials to which he was subjected.—S.R. Hirsch whose expectation is on Adonoy, his God. He makes heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; He keeps His promises faithfully forever.16He alone has always proven dependable and faithful, for there are no limits to His essence and to His power.—Ibn Ezra, Radak He performs justice for the oppressed; He gives bread to the hungry; Adonoy releases the imprisoned. Adonoy gives sight to the blind; Adonoy straightens the bent. Adonoy loves the righteous. Adonoy protects strangers; the orphan and widow He enables to stand firm; and the way of the wicked He thwarts. Adonoy will reign forever; your God, Zion, throughout all generations. Praise God.
המזמור הזה מדבר מן הגאולה העתידה במהרה בימינו In this Psalm, David imparts the knowledge to sustain and uphold the Jewish People, during their bitter exile. He tells them of their special and enduring relationship with God and of their role as permanent messengers of the word of God to all mankind.
הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ כִּי־טוֹב זַמְּ֒רָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, כִּי־נָעִים נָאוָה תְהִלָּה: בּוֹנֵה יְרוּשָׁלַֽםִ יְהֹוָה נִדְחֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יְכַנֵּס: הָרוֹפֵא לִשְׁבֽוּרֵי לֵב וּמְחַבֵּשׁ לְעַצְּ֒בוֹתָם: מוֹנֶה מִסְפָּר לַכּוֹכָבִים לְכֻלָּם שֵׁמוֹת יִקְרָא: גָּדוֹל אֲדוֹנֵֽינוּ וְרַב־כֹּֽחַ לִתְבוּנָתוֹ אֵין מִסְפָּר: מְעוֹדֵד עֲנָוִים יְהֹוָה מַשְׁפִּיל רְשָׁעִים עֲדֵי־אָֽרֶץ: עֱנוּ לַיהוָֹה בְּתוֹדָה זַמְּ֒רוּ לֵאלֹהֵֽינוּ בְכִנּוֹר: הַמְכַסֶּה שָׁמַֽיִם בְּעָבִים הַמֵּכִין לָאָֽרֶץ מָטָר הַמַּצְמִֽיחַ הָרִים חָצִיר: נוֹתֵן לִבְהֵמָה לַחְמָהּ לִבְנֵי עֹרֵב אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָֽאוּ: לֹא בִגְבוּרַת הַסּוּס יֶחְפָּץ לֹא בְשׁוֹקֵי הָאִישׁ יִרְצֶה: רוֹצֶה יְהֹוָה אֶת־יְרֵאָיו אֶת־הַמְ֒יַחֲלִים לְחַסְדּוֹ: שַׁבְּ֒חִי יְרוּשָׁלַֽםִ אֶת יְהֹוָה הַלְ֒לִי אֱלֹהַֽיִךְ צִיּוֹן: כִּי־חִזַּק בְּרִיחֵי שְׁעָרָֽיִךְ בֵּרַךְ בָּנַֽיִךְ בְּקִרְבֵּךְ: הַשָּׂם־גְּבוּלֵךְ שָׁלוֹם חֵֽלֶב חִטִּים יַשְׂבִּיעֵךְ: הַשֹּׁלֵֽחַ אִמְרָתוֹ אָֽרֶץ עַד־מְהֵרָה יָרוּץ דְּבָרוֹ: הַנֹּתֵן שֶֽׁלֶג כַּצָּֽמֶר כְּפוֹר כָּאֵֽפֶר יְפַזֵּר: מַשְׁלִיךְ קַרְחוֹ כְפִתִּים לִפְנֵי קָרָתוֹ מִי יַעֲמֹד: יִשְׁלַח דְּבָרוֹ וְיַמְסֵם יַשֵּׁב רוּחוֹ יִזְּ֒לוּ־מָֽיִם: מַגִּיד דְּבָרָיו לְיַעֲקֹב חֻקָּיו וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: לֹא עָֽשָׂה כֵן לְכָל־גּוֹי וּמִשְׁפָּטִים בַּל־יְדָעוּם הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ: Praise God! for it is good to sing to our God; for [His] praise is pleasant, befitting. The builder of Jerusalem is Adonoy; the banished ones of Israel He will gather. [He is] the Healer of the broken-hearted and [also] binds up their wounds.17Others render “their sorrows.” Both translations co-exist! God not only heals their physical pains but also abbreviates their sorrows as well. He fixes the number of stars; He calls all of them by names.18Not one of the myriad stars was created accidentally; each has a unique purpose and function.—Siach Yitzchok Great is our Master and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond reckoning. Adonoy causes the humble to stand firm; He casts down the wicked to the ground. Cry out to Adonoy in thanksgiving; sing to our God with the harp.19Each musical instrument has its unique function. In the times of King David, the harp was used to arouse those who slept. The psalmist may be indicating that the harp arouses the sleeping soul of man to recognition of the miraculous ways in which God shows His Divine Providence for us every day.—Siach Yitzchok [He] Who covers the heaven with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth; Who causes grass to grow upon the hills. Who gives the animal its fodder; [also] to the young ravens which call. Not the power of the horse does He desire, nor the thighs of man does He want.20God does not delight in those who place their trust in the strength of horses or in their own strength.—Tzelosa d'Avrohom Adonoy wants those who fear Him, those who hope for His kindliness. Jerusalem, praise Adonoy; Zion, extol your God.21The Psalmist addresses the dwellers in Jerusalem and Zion, not the city itself.—Tzelosa d'Avrohom For He has fortified the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children in your midst. He established peace at your border; with prime wheat He satisfies you. He dispatches His command earthward; His word races swiftly. He provides snow like fleece, He scatters frost like ashes. He hurls His ice like crumbs; who can withstand His cold? He dispatches His word and melts them; He blows His wind, they flow as water. He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His laws to Israel.22Israel is the receiver and preserver of God's divine Law, the Torah, which includes chukim, statutes which confine the physical, sensual aspects of man within the bounds of moral purity, and also mishpotim, laws which govern communal life. Among the nations, law is determined by the views they hold at a given time and place concerning the needs of a society, and so their laws are based on expediency.—S.R. Hirsch He did not do so to any [other] nation; and of His laws they were not informed. Praise God.
בפרק זה התחיל המשורר מעולם הגדול ועד עולם הקטן עיין נוראים מבריאת הקב"ה העליונים והתחתונים כולם עומדים בכוחו In this psalm, David sings of the moment when all the world will be imbued with the knowledge of God's all-embracing providence. All living creatures—from the infinite heights of heaven above (verses 1-7) down to the depths of the earth below (verses 7-12)—will join together in one great hymn of praise to their Creator, and acknowledge the uniqueness of Israel over all other nations.
הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ הַלְ֒לוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה מִן הַשָּׁמַֽיִם הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ בַּמְּ֒רוֹמִים: הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ כָּל־מַלְאָכָיו הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ כָּל־צְבָאָיו: הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ שֶֽׁמֶשׁ וְיָרֵֽחַ הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ כָּל־כּֽוֹכְ֒בֵי אוֹר: הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמָֽיִם וְהַמַּֽיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל הַשָּׁמָֽיִם: יְהַלְ֒לוּ אֶת־שֵׁם יְהֹוָה כִּי הוּא צִוָּה וְנִבְרָֽאוּ: וַיַּעֲמִידֵם לָעַד לְעוֹלָם חָק־נָתַן וְלֹא יַעֲבוֹר: הַלְ֒לוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה מִן־הָאָֽרֶץ תַּנִּינִים וְכָל־תְּהֹמוֹת: אֵשׁ וּבָרָד שֶֽׁלֶג וְקִיטוֹר רֽוּחַ סְעָרָה עֹשָׂה דְבָרוֹ: הֶהָרִים וְכָל־גְּבָעוֹת עֵץ פְּרִי וְכָל־אֲרָזִים: הַחַיָּה וְכָל־בְּהֵמָה רֶֽמֶשׂ וְצִפּוֹר כָּנָף: מַלְכֵי־אֶֽרֶץ וְכָל־לְאֻמִּים שָׂרִים וְכָל־שֹׁפְטֵי אָֽרֶץ: בַּחוּרִים וְגַם־בְּתוּלוֹת זְקֵנִים עִם־נְעָרִים: יְהַלְ֒לוּ אֶת־שֵׁם יְהֹוָה כִּי־נִשְׂגָּב שְׁמוֹ לְבַדּוֹ הוֹדוֹ עַל־אֶֽרֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם: וַיָּֽרֶם קֶֽרֶן לְעַמּוֹ תְּהִלָּה לְכָל־חֲסִידָיו לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַם קְרֹבוֹ הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ: Praise God. Praise Adonoy from the sky; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all the stars of light. Praise Him, skies of skies, and the waters that are above the skies.23Genesis 1:6-7 indicates that there are waters above the heavens. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for He commanded it and they were created. He established them for all time,24The heavenly bodies, unlike humans and earthly things, were created from materials that do not deteriorate.—Kuzari for as long as the world exists; He decreed it and it is unalterable.25None of the heavenly bodies transgresses the Divine decree about its functions in the role for which it was created. The sun never violates its mandate to serve by day or the moon by night. According to Ibn Ezra, the verse might also be translated “He issued a decree which will not pass away,” for God's decree is permanent and immutable. Praise Adonoy from the earth, sea-monsters and all [that dwell in] the depths. Fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormwind, [all] fulfilling His word. The mountains and all the hills, fruit trees and all cedars. Wild beasts and all animals, creeping things and winged fowl. Earthly kings and all peoples, ministers and all earthly judges. Young men and also maidens, elders together with lads.26Elders and youngsters praise God together while the young men must be separated from the maidens. In the Temple separate facilities were erected for the women. So too must there be separate seating in our synagogues. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for His Name alone is exalted; His majesty is over the earth and the skies. He will raise the might of His people, [which is] praise for all His pious ones, for the Children of Israel, the people near27The fulfillment of the last two verses will take place in the Messianic era. to Him. Praise God.
המזמור הזה מדבר לעתיד בביאת משיחנו This psalm continues the theme of the previous psalm.
הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ שִֽׁירוּ לַיהוָֹה שִׁיר חָדָשׁ תְּהִלָּתוֹ בִּקְהַל חֲסִידִים: יִשְׂמַח יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּעֹשָׂיו בְּנֵי־צִיּוֹן יָגִֽילוּ בְמַלְכָּם: יְהַלְ֒לוּ שְׁמוֹ בְמָחוֹל בְּתֹף וְכִנּוֹר יְזַמְּ֒רוּ־לוֹ: כִּי־רוֹצֶה יְהֹוָה בְּעַמּוֹ יְפָאֵר עֲנָוִים בִּישׁוּעָה: יַעְלְזוּ חֲסִידִים בְּכָבוֹד יְרַנְּ֒נוּ עַל־מִשְׁכְּבוֹתָם: רוֹמְ֒מוֹת אֵל בִּגְרוֹנָם וְחֶֽרֶב פִּיפִיּוֹת בְּיָדָם: לַעֲשׂוֹת נְקָמָה בַגּוֹיִם תּוֹכֵחוֹת בַּלְאֻמִּים: לֶאְסֹר מַלְכֵיהֶם בְּזִקִּים וְנִכְבְּדֵיהֶם בְּכַבְלֵי בַרְזֶל: לַעֲשׂוֹת בָּהֶם מִשְׁפָּט כָּתוּב הָדָר הוּא לְכָל־חֲסִידָיו הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ: Praise God. Sing a new song to Adonoy,28The old songs will not suffice to express the joy at the wonders in the Messianic future.—Radak His praise in the assembly of the pious. Israel will rejoice in its Maker; the children of Zion will exult in their King.29Israel is the nation as a whole, the children of Zion are the elite of the people.—Seporno They will praise His Name with dance; with drum and harp they will make music to Him. Because Adonoy desires His people; He will adorn the humble with deliverance.30Although God desires all His people, nevertheless, our ultimate salvation will come through the merit of His humble ones.—Rav Simcha Bunim of Preshischa The pious will rejoice in honor; they will sing joyously upon their beds. High praises of the Almighty in their throats, and a double-edged sword in their hand.31One's praise of God emanating from deep within him, (not mere lip service) becomes a two-edged sword, for it protects him against attack from his fellow men and it guards him from adversity in the approaching Divine judgment.—S.R. Hirsch To perform vengeance upon the nations, chastisement upon the peoples. To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with iron fetters. To execute upon them [the] written judgment; it32The Divine judgment itself is honor and recognition for those who commit their entire lives and efforts to God.—S.R. Hirsch is the splendor of all His pious ones. Praise God.
במזמור הזה יש שלשה עשר הלולים. רמז לי"ג מדות. This psalm recapitulates all the previous hymns and tells how God is revealed through His mighty deeds.
הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ הַֽלְ֒לוּ־אֵל בְּקָדְשׁוֹ הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ בִּרְקִֽיעַ עֻזּוֹ: הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ בִּגְבוּרֹתָיו הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ כְּרֹב גֻּדְלוֹ: הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ בְּתֵֽקַע שׁוֹפָר הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ בְּנֵֽבֶל וְכִנּוֹר: הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ בְּתֹף וּמָחוֹל הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ בְּמִנִּים וְעֻגָב: הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ בְצִלְצְלֵי־שָֽׁמַע הַלְ֒לֽוּהוּ בְּצִלְצְלֵי תְרוּעָה: כֹּל הַנְּ֒שָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּל יָהּ הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ: כֹּל הַנְּ֒שָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּל יָהּ הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ: Praise God. Praise the Almighty in His Sanctuary33His “Sanctuary” refers to the world of angels who minister to Him as He appears on His throne.—Radak Praise God in the firmament of His might34The firmament of His might refers to the heavenly spheres through which God reveals His mastery over the physical world.—Radak Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the blowing of the shofar;35The shofar is the solemn instrument which awakens and calls us to God.—S.R. Hirsch praise Him with lyre and harp.36Lyre and harp are instruments which express man's meditation upon God.—S.R. Hirsch Praise Him with drum and dance.37Drum and dance are public manifestations of exultation in God.—S.R. Hirsch Praise Him with stringed instruments and flute.38Stringed instruments and the flute may serve to express the quieter rejoicing of an individual.׳—S.R. Hirsch Praise Him with resounding cymbals.39The cymbal is an instrument of extremely loud sound which may serve to call whole groups to attentive participation.—S.R. Hirsch Praise Him with clanging cymbals. Let every soul praise God. Praise God. Let every soul praise God. Praise God.40This verse is repeated to mark the end of the psalms included in the Pesukei Dezimrah.—Avudraham
קבעו פסוקים אלו אחר כל הנשמה משום שאלו הכתובים מצינו אותם כתובים בסוף ספרי תהלים. לכן תקנו לאמרם בהשלמת פסוקי דזמרה (א"ר סי' נ"א) The following selected verses from Psalms mark the close of the individual books of Psalms. Eitz Yoseif notes that these verses may constitute a sort of blessing marking the close of the Pesukei Dezimrah.
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם אָמֵן וְאָמֵן: בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה מִצִּיּוֹן שֹׁכֵן יְרוּשָׁלָֽםִ הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ: בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת לְבַדּוֹ: וּבָרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹדוֹ לְעוֹלָם וְיִמָּלֵא כְבוֹדוֹ אֶת־כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ אָמֵן וְאָמֵן: Blessed is Adonoy forever, Amein and Amein!41Psalms 89:53. God is the eternal source of blessing. We merely declare His blessedness, we do not bless Him. Blessed is Adonoy from Zion, Who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise God.42Psalms 135:21. Blessed is Adonoy, God, God of Israel Who alone performs wonders.43“Alone” means without intermediaries (Malbim); also without the beneficiary's awareness.—(Vilna Gaon) And blessed is the Name of His glory forever, and may His glory fill the whole earth. Amein and Amein!44Psalms 72:18-19. This verse will be fulfilled in Messianic times when all men will be invested with a true awareness of God's majesty. The prophet (Isaiah 11:9) foretells, “For (then) the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of Adonoy as the waters cover the sea.”—Radak
הטעם שנהגו לומר ויברך דוד ושירת הים לפי שכל אותם חמשה עשר לשונות של שבח הסדורין בברכת ישתבח דורש במכלתין מתוך שירת הים ומתוך פסוקים של ויברך דוד (אבודרהם). כשמגיע לואתה מושל בכל יתן ג' פרוטות לצדקה הב׳ בבת אחת ואח״כ השלישית וסודם נשגב (צפורן שמיר) The following selections are additions to the Pesukei Dezimrah. The custom of reciting them is mentioned as early as the Gaonic era, specifically by Rav Amram Gaon. The first four verses (1 Chronicles 29:10-13) relate David's blessing to God, when he presented the gold, silver, and jewels he amassed for the construction of the Holy Temple. It was a day of great rejoicing as, following David's example, the leaders and princes also presented generous gifts for the construction of the Temple. These verses were incorporated into our daily prayers because they speak so eloquently of God's majesty, and of the Divine providence which is the source of the power, riches, might, and honor of all human beings.
בויברך דויד יעמוד עד שיאמר אתה הוא ה' האלהים ועד בכלל The following until after ישתבח should be said standing.
וַיְבָֽרֶךְ דָּוִיד אֶת־יְהֹוָה לְעֵינֵי כָּל־הַקָּהָל וַיֹּֽאמֶר דָּוִיד בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָבִֽינוּ, מֵעוֹלָם וְעַד־עוֹלָם: לְךָ יְהֹוָה הַגְּ֒דֻלָּה וְהַגְּ֒בוּרָה וְהַתִּפְאֶֽרֶת וְהַנֵּֽצַח וְהַהוֹד כִּי־כֹל בַּשָּׁמַֽיִם וּבָאָֽרֶץ לְךָ יְהֹוָה הַמַּמְלָכָה וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂא לְכֹל לְרֹאשׁ: וְהָעֽשֶׁר וְהַכָּבוֹד מִלְּ֒פָנֶֽיךָ וְאַתָּה מוֹשֵׁל בַּכֹּל, וּבְיָדְ֒ךָ כֹּֽחַ וּגְבוּרָה, וּבְיָדְ֒ךָ לְגַדֵּל וּלְחַזֵּק לַכֹּל: וְעַתָּה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מוֹדִים אֲנַֽחְנוּ לָךְ וּמְהַלְ֒לִים לְשֵׁם תִּפְאַרְתֶּֽךָ: And David blessed Adonoy in the presence of all the assembly; and David said, Blessed are You, Adonoy, God of Israel, our father,45David singles out Jacob because he was the first Patriarch to mention building a house of God (Genesis 28:22), “Then shall this stone which I have set for a pillar be God's house.”—Radak forever and ever. Yours, Adonoy, is the greatness, the might, the glory the victory and the beauty,46David thus renders unto God the greatness God has given him. His might in war, his victories in battle, and the majesty of his kingdom, are all due to God's providence.—Iyun T'filah for all that is in heaven and on earth [is Yours]; Yours, Adonoy, is the kingdom and You are uplifted, [supreme] over all rulers. The riches and the honor come from You, and You rule over all; in Your hand are power and might, and [it is] in Your hand to bestow greatness and strength upon all. And now, our God, we give thanks to You and praise Your glorious Name.47I Chronicles 29:10-13.
אַתָּה־הוּא יְהֹוָה לְבַדֶּֽךָ, אַתָּה עָשִֽׂיתָ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַֽיִם שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְכָל־צְבָאָם, הָאָֽרֶץ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר עָלֶֽיהָ הַיַּמִּים וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם, וְאַתָּה מְחַיֶּה אֶת־כֻּלָּם וּצְ֒בָא הַשָּׁמַֽיִם לְךָ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים: אַתָּה הוּא יְהֹוָה הָאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר בָּחַֽרְתָּ בְּאַבְרָם וְהוֹצֵאתוֹ מֵאוּר כַּשְׂדִּים וְשַֽׂמְתָּ שְׁמוֹ אַבְרָהָם: וּמָצָֽאתָ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ נֶאֱמָן לְפָנֶֽיךָ You alone are Adonoy;48This is an affirmation of God's unity: “Adonoy is One.” The next six verses are taken from Nehemiah 9:6-11. They are the last words of praise found in Scripture. You have made the skies, the skies of skies49This denotes the highest of the seven heavens. and all their hosts,50This signifies the sun, moon, and stars. the earth and all that is upon it, the seas and all that is in them; and You give life to all of them, and the heavenly hosts51These are the angelic beings that worship Adonoy. bow before You. You are Adonoy, the God Who chose Avrom, and brought him out of Ur Kasdim and established his name (as) Avrohom.52This was not a mere changing of names. Abraham was elevated and attained new stature as a patriarch by virtue of his new name. And You found his heart faithful before You,53This was demonstrated when he was ready to sacrifice Isaac.
וְכָרוֹת עִמּוֹ הַבְּ֒רִית לָתֵת אֶת־אֶֽרֶץ הַכְּ֒נַעֲנִי הַחִתִּי הָאֱמֹרִי וְהַפְּ֒רִזִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁי לָתֵת לְזַרְעוֹ וַתָּֽקֶם אֶת־דְּבָרֶֽיךָ כִּי צַדִּיק אָֽתָּה: וַתֵּֽרֶא אֶת־עֳנִי אֲבֹתֵֽינוּ בְּמִצְרָֽיִם וְאֶת־זַעֲקָתָם שָׁמַֽעְתָּ עַל־יַם־סוּף: וַתִּתֵּן אֹתֹת וּמֹפְ֒תִים בְּפַרְעֹה וּבְכָל־עֲבָדָיו וּבְכָל־עַם אַרְצוֹ כִּי יָדַֽעְתָּ כִּי הֵזִֽידוּ עֲלֵיהֶם וַתַּֽעַשׂ־לְךָ שֵׁם כְּהַיּוֹם הַזֶּה: וְהַיָּם בָּקַֽעְתָּ לִפְנֵיהֶם וַיַּעַבְרוּ בְתוֹךְ־הַיָּם בַּיַּבָּשָׁה וְאֶת־רֹדְ֒פֵיהֶם הִשְׁלַֽכְתָּ בִמְצוֹלֹת כְּמוֹ־אֶֽבֶן בְּמַֽיִם עַזִּים: and You made the covenant with him54In some congregations, וכרות is recited responsively on the day of a circumcision. Consequently, some siddurim indicate that a new paragraph begins here. But it is actually a continuation of the verse. to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizites, the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give to his seed; and You kept Your word, for You are righteous. And You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and their cry You heard at the Sea of Reeds. And You imposed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for You knew that they acted malevolently against them;55Them, i.e., the Jews in Egypt. and (thus) You have made a name for Yourself, like this day.56The miracles and wonders of the Exodus have not and will not be forgotten. Each generation reaffirms its testimony to God's might against the Egyptians and thus the event remains as vivid and real as though it occurred today. And the sea, You split before them, and they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their pursuers You hurled into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters.57Nechemyah 9:6-11
תקנו לומר וישע ה' ביום ההוא ושירת הים והוא זכר ליציאת מצרים. וכופלין פסוק ה' ימלוך לעולם ועד מפני שהוא סוף השירה (אבודרהם). כל האומר שירת הים בשמחה ובעצמו שיער כאלו הוא ניצול מהים ופרעה וחילו הם נטבעו ואמר שירה מכפרים לו עונותיו (צפורן שמיר) In Temple times Shiras Hayam, the Song of the Sea, was sung by the Levites when the daily afternoon sacrifice was offered.1Maseches Rosh Hashanah 31a, mentions that the Ode was sung at Minchah on Shabbos. After the destruction, the Jews of the Holy Land continued the tradition, reciting the Shira at the end of the Pesukei Dezimrah. The custom spread to Italy and from there to other Jewish communities. This daily recital is mentioned by Rav Saadya Gaon but not as an obligatory part of the service. Rambam calls it a "custom."2Hilchos Tefillah 7:13. Subsequently adopted by all communities, reciting the Shira became an integral part of our daily prayers. Some hold that the Shira should be chanted aloud while standing. It should be sung with joy as at the time of the Exodus. "Sheloh" writes that reciting the Shira atones for sin, so that if one wishes to repent a serious sin, he should recite the Shira every day with great fervor. The Zohar says, "If one recites this song with elation and joy, he will be worthy to sing it in the next world. He will also be worthy to sing it when he greets the Messiah."
וַיּֽוֹשַׁע יְהֹוָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִיַּד מִצְרָֽיִם וַיַּרְא יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־מִצְרַֽיִם מֵת עַל־שְׂפַת הַיָּם: וַיַּרְא יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־הַיָּד הַגְּ֒דֹלָה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה יְהֹוָה בְּמִצְרַֽיִם וַיִּירְ֒אוּ הָעָם אֶת יְהֹוָה וַיַּאֲמִֽינוּ בַּיהוָֹה וּבְמשֶׁה עַבְדּוֹ: On that day,3Even though they had been freed a week earlier, they were insecure, fearing that the Egyptians would capture and re-enslave them. Only when God had drowned the Egyptians were the Israelites psychologically free.—Seporno Adonoy delivered Israel from the hand of Egypt, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. And Israel saw the great hand4The use of the word “hand” or any physical attribute with regard to God is merely metaphorical, since God is in no way physical. which Adonoy wielded against Egypt, and the people feared Adonoy, and they believed in Adonoy, and that Moses was His servant.
אָז יָשִׁיר משֶׁה וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת לַיהוָֹה וַיֹּאמְרוּ לֵאמֹר אָשִֽׁירָה לַיהוָֹה כִּי־גָאֹה גָּאָה סוּס וְרֹכְ֒בוֹ רָמָה בַיָּם: עָזִּי וְזִמְרָת יָהּ וַיְ֒הִי־לִי לִישׁוּעָה זֶה אֵלִי וְאַנְוֵֽהוּ אֱלֹהֵי אָבִי וַאֲרֹמְ֒מֶֽנְהוּ: יְהֹוָה אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה יְהֹוָה שְׁמוֹ: מַרְכְּבֹת פַּרְעֹה וְחֵילוֹ יָרָה בַיָּם וּמִבְחַר שָׁלִשָׁיו טֻבְּ֒עוּ בְיַם־סוּף: תְּהֹמֹת יְכַסְיֻֽמוּ יָרְ֒דוּ בִמְצוֹלֹת כְּמוֹ־אָֽבֶן: יְמִינְ֒ךָ יְהֹוָה נֶאְדָּרִי בַּכֹּֽחַ יְמִֽינְ֒ךָ יְהֹוָה תִּרְעַץ אוֹיֵב: וּבְרֹב גְּאוֹנְ֒ךָ תַּהֲרֹס קָמֶֽיךָ תְּשַׁלַּח חֲרֹנְ֒ךָ יֹֽאכְ֒לֵמוֹ כַּקַּשׁ: וּבְרֽוּחַ אַפֶּֽיךָ נֶֽעֶרְמוּ מַֽיִם נִצְּ֒בוּ כְמוֹ־נֵד נֹזְ֒לִים קָפְ֒אוּ תְהֹמֹת בְּלֶב־יָם: אָמַר אוֹיֵב אֶרְדֹּף אַשִּׂיג אֲחַלֵּק שָׁלָל תִּמְלָאֵֽמוֹ נַפְשִׁי אָרִיק חַרְבִּי תּוֹרִישֵֽׁמוֹ יָדִי: נָשַֽׁפְתָּ בְרוּחֲךָ כִּסָּֽמוֹ יָם צָלֲלוּ כַּעוֹפֶֽרֶת בְּמַֽיִם אַדִּירִים: מִי־כָמֹֽכָה בָּאֵלִם יְהֹוָה מִי כָּמֹֽכָה נֶאְדָּר בַּקֹּֽדֶשׁ נוֹרָא תְהִלֹּת עֹֽשֵׂה־פֶֽלֶא: נָטִֽיתָ יְמִינְ֒ךָ תִּבְלָעֵֽמוֹ אָֽרֶץ: נָחִֽיתָ בְחַסְדְּ֒ךָ עַם־זוּ גָּאָֽלְתָּ נֵהַֽלְתָּ בְעָזְּ֒ךָ אֶל־נְוֵה קָדְשֶֽׁךָ: שָֽׁמְ֒עוּ עַמִּים יִרְגָּזוּן חִיל אָחַז ישְׁ֒בֵי פְּלָֽשֶׁת: אָז נִבְהֲלוּ אַלּוּפֵי אֱדוֹם אֵילֵי מוֹאָב יֹֽאחֲזֵֽמוֹ רָֽעַד נָמֹֽגוּ כֹּל ישְׁ֒בֵי כְנָֽעַן: תִּפֹּל עֲלֵיהֶם אֵימָֽתָה וָפַֽחַד בִּגְדֹל זְרוֹעֲךָ יִדְּ֒מוּ כָּאָֽבֶן עַד־יַֽעֲבֹר עַמְּ֒ךָ יְהֹוָה עַד־יַֽעֲבֹר עַם־זוּ קָנִֽיתָ: תְּבִאֵֽמוֹ וְתִטָּעֵֽמוֹ בְּהַר נַחֲלָתְ֒ךָ מָכוֹן לְשִׁבְתְּ֒ךָ פָּעַֽלְתָּ יְהֹוָה מִקְּ֒דָשׁ אֲדֹנָי כּוֹנְ֒נוּ יָדֶֽיךָ: יְהֹוָה יִמְלֹךְ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד: יְהֹוָה יִמְלֹךְ לְעֹלָם וָעֶד: יְהֹוָה מַלְכוּתֵהּ קָאֵים לְעָלַם וּלְעָלְ֒מֵי עָלְ֒מַיָּא: כִּי בָא סוּס פַּרְעֹה בְּרִכְבּוֹ וּבְפָרָשָׁיו בַּיָּם וַיָּֽשֶׁב יְהֹוָה עֲלֵהֶם אֶת־מֵי הַיָּם וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הָלְ֒כוּ בַיַּבָּשָׁה בְּתוֹךְ הַיָּֽם: כִּי לַיהוָֹה הַמְּ֒לוּכָה וּמשֵׁל בַּגּוֹיִם: וְעָלוּ מוֹשִׁעִים בְּהַר צִיּוֹן לִשְׁפֹּט אֶת־הַר עֵשָׂו, וְהָיְ֒תָה לַיהוָֹה הַמְּ֒לוּכָה: וְהָיָה יְהֹוָה לְמֶֽלֶךְ עַל־כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְהֹוָה אֶחָד וּשְׁמוֹ אֶחָד: Then Moses and the Children of Israel sang this song to Adonoy, and they said: I will sing to Adonoy for He is most high;5When people praise a mortal, they often declare undeserved praise. But God is so great that any praise we offer is insufficient.—Rashi the horse with its rider, He threw into the sea. The strength and retribution of God was the cause of my deliverance;6This translation follows Rashi's commentary. this is my Almighty and I will glorify Him, God of my father and I will exalt Him. Adonoy is master of war Adonoy is His Name. Pharaoh's chariots and army, He hurled into the sea; and his elite officers were drowned in the Sea of Reeds. The deep waters covered them; they descended into the depths like stone. Your right hand Adonoy is adorned with power, Your right hand Adonoy crushes the enemy. And in Your great majesty, You destroyed Your opponents; You sent forth Your fury, it consumed them like straw.7This verse is also translated, “You will send forth Your fury: it will consume them like straw.” According to the Zohar, it thus refers to the time of the Resurrection, when God will destroy all the wicked. And with the wind from Your nostrils the waters were heaped up, flowing water stood erect like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.8The water became hard as stone and the Egyptians were hurled against it with great force.—Rash i The enemy (Pharaoh) said: I will pursue [them], I will overtake [them], I will divide the spoils; I will satisfy myself; I will unsheathe my sword, my hand will destroy them. You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters.9Seporno and others interpret the verse to read: “They, the mighty, sank like lead in the waters,” “mighty,” referring to the Egyptian officers rather than to the waters. Who is like You among the mighty, Adonoy! who is like You? [You are] adorned in holiness, awesome in praise, performing wonders.10God is “awesome in praise” for we fear that all our praise will prove inadequate. In truth, it is impossible to praise God fully, and David therefore said (Psalms 65:2) “For You, silence is praise.”—Rashi You stretched out Your right hand, the earth swallowed them. You led in Your kindliness, the people whom You redeemed; You guided them with Your might to Your holy dwelling place. The peoples heard and trembled, pangs of fear gripped the inhabitants of Philistia.11The Philistines had killed the Ephraimites thirty years earlier when they left Egypt by force. The Philistines were thus gripped with terror when they heard that Israel had escaped from Egypt.—Rashi Then the chieftains of Edom panicked, the mighty men of Moab were seized with trembling, all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.12Nations on all sides panicked: The Philistines to the west, the Edomites to the south, the Moabites to the east and the Canaanites to the north. The Philistines feared revenge. The Edomites panicked because they feared that Israel would now seek revenge for what Esau (Edom) had done to Jacob. The Moabites, the descendants of Lot, feared they would be punished because of the dispute between Lot and Abraham (Genesis 13:7). Canaan “melted away” because they realized that Israel was destined to take their land, and their astrologers told them that there was no way out.—Rabbeinu Bachya Terror and dread fall upon them; at the greatness of Your arm they were still as stone; until Your people cross over, Adonoy, until [they] cross over,13The two crossings are the respective crossings of the Arnon and the Jordan rivers before entering the Promised Land.—Onkelos —the people You have acquired. You will bring them and plant them14Moses here prophesied that he would not be entering the Promised Land, and he therefore prayed that God should bring the Jews into His inheritance.— Rashi on the mountain of Your inheritance, the place for Your habitation which You, Adonoy, have made; the Sanctuary, my Master, [which] Your hands established.15God's “habitat” on earth, the Holy Temple, is a parallel of the Holy Temple on high.—Rashi Adonoy will reign forever and ever.16This verse is not repeated in Exodus. But it is repeated in prayer to signify the end of the Ode, just as the last verse of Psalms 150 is repeated in the prayer whereas it is not repeated in the Book of Psalms.—Avudraham Adonoy will reign forever and ever. Adonoy! His sovereignty is established forever and to all eternity.17This verse is a paraphrase of the previous verse as found in Targum Onkelos. When Pharaoh's horses, with his chariots, and his horsemen, went into the sea, Adonoy turned back on them the waters of the sea; and the Children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea.18Exodus 14:30-15:19. For the kingship is Adonoy's and He rules over nations.19Psalms 22:29. The word “king” signifies one whose leadership is accepted freely by all his subjects. Therefore, in reference to Israel who willingly accept the Kingship of God, it says, “For the kingship is Adonoy's.” A “ruler,” however, is one who forcibly rules people, without their consent. Regarding the nations who do not willingly submit to Adonoy's Kingship, the Psalmist says, “And He rules over nations.”—Vilna Gaon And deliverers will go up to Mount Zion to judge Mount Esau, and the kingdom will be Adonoy's.20Ovadyah 1:21. And Adonoy will be King over the whole earth; on that day Adonoy will be One and His Name One.21Zecharyah 14:9. In the future, God will be recognized by all the nations of the world who will accept Him willingly as their King.