A Psalm, a song for the Shabbos day.

It is good to thank¹ Adonoy,

footnotes: ¹ Shabbos, more than other days, lends itself to offering praise and thanksgiving to Hashem. When man rests from his physical labor and is relieved of material concerns, his soul is free to pursue the intellectual and spiritual aspects of life. These pursuits lead him to serve Hashem and to praise Him.—Radak

and sing praise to Your Name, Most High.

To relate Your kindliness in the morning,

and Your faithfulness in the nights.²

footnotes: ² We will proclaim His kindliness in the morning of redemption. And while yet in the darkness of exile we proclaim our belief in His faithfulness.—Rashi

Upon a ten-stringed instrument and lute,

in meditation upon the harp.

For You have given me joy, Adonoy,

with Your deeds,

at the work of Your hands³ I sing joyously.

footnotes: ³ The Shabbos day of rest affords me the opportunity to observe and appreciate the greatness of Your work.—Radak

How great are Your works, Adonoy;

how infinitely profound are Your thoughts.⁴

footnotes: ⁴ Hashem’s ‘works’ are the visible creation, while His ‘thoughts’ are the Divine purpose behind each created thing.—Seporno

An empty-headed man cannot know,

nor does a fool understand this:

When the wicked bloom like grass,

and all the evildoers blossom—

it is so that they may be destroyed forever.

But You will remain on high forever

Adonoy.

For behold, Your enemies, Adonoy;

For behold, Your enemies shall perish;

dispersed shall be all evildoers.

You uplifted my horn⁵ like that of a unicorn;

footnotes: ⁵ Others translate, ‘You have increased my might like that of the wild ram.’

I am saturated with fresh oil.

My eye has seen [the defeat of]

those who spy on me;

of the wicked who rise against me,

my ears have heard [that they are doomed].

The righteous will blossom like a date palm,

like a cedar⁶ in Lebanon, he will grow tall.

footnotes: ⁶ The palm and the cedar both enjoy a long life span and flourish during all seasons. Thus they symbolize the lasting happiness of the righteous in contrast to the short prosperity of the wicked.

Planted in the House of Adonoy,

in the courtyards of our God

they will blossom.

They will still be fruitful in old age;

they will be full of sap and freshness.

To declare that Adonoy is upright;

He is my Stronghold;

in Whom there is no injustice.

Adonoy had begun His reign

He has clothed Himself with majesty;

Adonoy has clothed Himself,

He has girded Himself with strength.

He has firmly established the world

so that it cannot be moved.

Your throne stands firm from of old,

You are from eternity.

The rivers have raised—Adonoy—

the rivers have raised their voice,

the rivers raise their raging waves.

More than the sound of many waters,

mightier than the breakers of the sea

Mighty on high, are You, Adonoy.

Your testimonies are extremely faithful,

holiness is becoming to Your House,

Adonoy—for the length of days.

Exalted and sanctified be His great Name

in the world which He created

according to His will;

and may He rule His Kingdom

in your lifetime and in your days,

and in the lifetime

of the entire House of Yisrael,

speedily and in the near future—

and say Amein.

May His great Name be blessed

forever and for all eternity.

Blessed and praised,

glorified, and exalted and uplifted,

honored and elevated and extolled

be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He;

far above

all the blessings and hymns,

praises and consolations

which we utter in the world—and say Amein.

May there be abundant peace from heaven

and life

for us and for all Yisrael,

—and say Amein.

He Who makes the peace

in His high heavens

may He, make peace

for us and or all Yisrael,

and say, Amein.