Said Rabbi Ishmael: Surya, the Prince of the Presence, spoke to me, saying, “Friend, I shall tell thee the praise of the King and of his throne.” Therefore it is said: Thou hast uplifted the throne of Thy glory upon the cherubim of heaven, and the ophanim of greatness do bear it, and creatures of frost, creatures of mist, creatures of flame, Crowned with loftiness and with splendor. And the eyes of Shaddai are lifted up upon them, And they were extended beneath it as rams beneath the plough. And it was erected upon their heads with strength, might and power. (As it is said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts.”)

Be exalted, be raised on high, be lifted up, O splendid King! Upon the throne raised high and lifted up, fearful and terrific. Thou dwellest in the chambers of the temple of loftiness. The servants of Thy throne are terrified and make tremble the heavens which are the footstool of Thy feet, each day, with voice of exultation and tumult of psalmody and roar of songs. (As it is said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts.”)

Messengers of the Power [of God] and awakeners of the Shekhinah (tumultuous of voice, who magnify song to the voice of the servants and the voice of the mighty), sing, with sweet mouth and with holy melody, Him who dwelleth in the lava stream of flaming coals. They bear up the wheel of the throne of His glory, [singing]: “Sing, sing for joy, supernal dwelling! Shout, shout for joy, precious vessel!

O wreathed with splendor, crowned with crowns, supernal singers in the song of rejubilation, extol ye the Lord of flame, for in the innermost Shekhinah, in the innermost chamber of the chamber of His chambers do ye dwell. He hath distinguished your name from the name of His servants, He hath separated you from the servants of the Merkabha. He who nameth the name of one from among you – fire flames, flame encircles, blaze encompasseth, coals of splendor brought forth. (As it is said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts.”)

O ye who cancel decrees, who annul vows, who avert wrath, who quiet jealousy, who cause love to be remembered, who set forth friendship before the loftiness of the majesty of the fearful palace, what aileth ye that ye be fearful and there be times when ye rejoice? What aileth ye that ye do sing for exultation, and there be times when ye are terrified? They said: “When the ophanim of the power of God darken the Merkabha we rejoice with great joy.” (As it is said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts.”)