Give thanks to Adonoy, proclaim His Name;

make His deeds¹⁰ known among the nations.

footnotes: ¹⁰ Make His Divine attributes (mercy, kindness, etc.) known to the world.—Siach Yitzchak

Sing to Him, compose songs to Him,

speak of all His wonders.

Take pride¹¹ in [uttering] His Holy Name,

footnotes: ¹¹ The Jew should be proud at being found worthy to utter Hashem’s Name.—Siddur HaGra

let the heart rejoice

of those who seek¹² Adonoy.

footnotes: ¹² Seeking Hashem is an end in itself and provides joy to those who earnestly seek Him.—Siach Yitzchak

Search for Adonoy and His might,

seek His presence continually.

Remember the wonders He has performed,

His miracles,¹³ and the laws from His mouth.

footnotes: ¹³ His “miracles” were witnessed by Jew and Egyptian alike in Egypt. His “laws” are the Torah He gave us at Mt. Sinai.—Iyun Tefillah

[You,] the seed of Yisrael¹⁴ His servant,

footnotes: ¹⁴ The entire section—the previous verses as well as the following verses—are addressed to the Jewish People, who are the seed of Yisrael, the chosen of Hashem, who are asked to remember His wonders, miracles and laws.—Tzelosa d’Avraham

children of Yaakov, 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 Avraham,

and [which was] His oath to Yitzchak.

He established it for Yaakov as a statute,

for Yisrael as an everlasting covenant.¹⁵

footnotes: ¹⁵ This verse in following the preceding verse indicates that the original covenant which Hashem made with Avraham was later confirmed to Yitzchak in an oath and then established for Yaakov as a statute. After Yaakov was given the name Yisrael, it became an everlasting covenant.—Tzelosa d’Avraham

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 kings¹⁶ for their sake.

footnotes: ¹⁶ Both Pharaoh and Avimelech were admonished for Avraham’s sake (Bereishis 13:17; 20:3,7).

“Do not touch My anointed ones,¹⁷

footnotes: ¹⁷ The Hebrew word מְשִׁיחָי 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,¹⁸

footnotes: ¹⁸ Siach Yitzchak maintains that this verse directs Jewry to sing to Hashem in all the lands in which they are dispersed during their exile. Tzelosa d’Avraham understands the verse to direct all the nations of the earth to sing to Hashem.

proclaim His deliverance from day to day.¹⁹

footnotes: ¹⁹ a) We are to proclaim our deliverance by Hashem every day; b) We are to proclaim that our deliverance by Hashem is a daily experience.—Tzelosa d’Avraham

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.

Beauty and splendor are before Him,²⁰

footnotes: ²⁰ The word הוד (beauty) indicates that which is itself beautiful, while הָדָר (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. (This definition applies only to the Hebrew terms.)—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.²¹

footnotes: ²¹ Etz Yosef understands this as the “holy splendor” of Hashem’s Sanctuary. Tzelosa d’Avraham sees it as the splendor and joy of worship before Hashem, 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,²²

footnotes: ²² Simcha (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 וְאֵין כָּל־חָדָשׁ תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ (Koheles 1:9), it is said the earth will exult (gila); but the heavens will rejoice (simcha) because there is חִידוּשׁ in the heavens.—Gaon of Vilna

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.”²³

footnotes: ²³ The 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 Yisrael

for all eternity,

and all the people said: “Amein”

and [they] praised Adonoy.”

Exalt Adonoy, our God,

and prostrate yourselves

at His footstool.²⁴

footnotes: ²⁴ The Holy Temple.

Holy is He!²⁵

footnotes: ²⁵ Or Holy is it—i.e., the Temple.

Exalt Adonoy, our God,

and prostrate yourselves

at His holy mountain,²⁶

footnotes: ²⁶ Mount 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.

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 truth²⁷

footnotes: ²⁷ חֶסֶד (kindness) is the good Hashem bestows without a promise, whereas אֱמֶת (truth) is the fulfillment of His promise.—Siach Yitzchak

always protect me.

Remember Your mercies Adonoy

and kindnesses,

for

they are from the beginning of the world.²⁸

footnotes: ²⁸ Hashem’s mercies to mankind started from the very day that Adam was created. Hashem created the world in order to fill it with kindness as it is said: “A world of kindness was built” (Tehillim 89:3).—Rashi

Give might to God,²⁹

footnotes: ²⁹ Attribute your victories to Hashem’s might rather than to your own.—Siach Yitzchak. Rashbam and others hold that since Hashem’s actions are a reflection of Yisrael’s deeds, the latter are, in a sense, the source of His might. Thus when Yisrael follows the wishes of Hashem, they give might to Him.

His pride (majesty) hovers over Yisrael,

and His might is in the clouds.

You are awesome, God,

from Your Sanctuaries,³⁰

footnotes: ³⁰ There is a spiritual Temple in the heavens which corresponds to the Temple on earth.—Radak. The Talmud (Maseches Zevachim 115b) notes that the word מִמִּקְדָּשֶׁיךָ may also be read מִמְקוּדָשֶׁיךָ, from Your holy people, indicating that Hashem is especially demanding of the most adherent to the Torah. When this occurs, the world is filled with awe and fear of Hashem.

Almighty of Yisrael—

He grants might and power to the people;

blessed is God.

Almighty of vengeance, Adonoy,

Almighty of vengeance, reveal Yourself.³¹

footnotes: ³¹ These two verses (94:1-2) are an appeal to Hashem during a time fraught with the sufferings of exile, when it seems as if Hashem 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.³²

footnotes: ³² Only Hashem knows what is true deliverance for a person. Prayer is not always answered, because Hashem in His infinite wisdom knows that granting the request is not always for our benefit. We must therefore bless and offer thanks to Hashem regardless of whether our petition has been granted.—Siach Yitzchak

Upon Your people is Your blessing. Selah.

Adonoy of Hosts is with us,

a stronghold for us is the God of Yaakov. 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.

Deliver Your people

and bless Your inheritance,

tend them and uplift them forever.³³

footnotes: ³³ Radak understands Dovid to be asking Hashem to raise the People of Yisrael above their enemies. Ibn Ezra says that Hashem 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 grant³⁴ us Your deliverance.

footnotes: ³⁴ We 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

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 Mitzrayim;

open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.³⁵

footnotes: ³⁵ Request all that you desire and I will fulfill every request.—Ibn Ezra. The Yerushalayim Talmud (Maseches Taanis 3:6) indicates that the more one requests Hashem’s providence—the “wider he opens his mouth”—the more he shows his belief in Hashem’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.³⁶

footnotes: ³⁶ The foremost level of man’s trust in Hashem 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

To the Chief Musician,

a Psalm of Dovid.

The skies recount the glory of the Almighty,

and His handiwork

is related by the firmament.³⁷

footnotes: ³⁷ שָׁמַיִם, skies, refers to the heavenly regions beyond earth’s atmosphere, where the stars and planets orbit. רָקִיעַ, firmament, refers to the earth’s atmosphere where clouds form, and precipitation takes place. The verb לְסַפֵּר means to recount something which occurred in the past. Thus the stars and planets in the שָׁמַיִם recount the fact that long ago Hashem created a glorious universe. The רָקִיעַ, on the other hand, relates that Hashem’s handiwork is evidenced in the constant formation of clouds and in the precipitation of rain. The firmament enables man to recognize the constant renewal of Hashem’s providence.—Malbim

Day to day makes speech flow,³⁸

footnotes: ³⁸ Daily renewal of the activities of creation, beginning with sunrise, stir mankind to proclaim Hashem’s praises.—Rashi

and night to night expresses wisdom.³⁹

footnotes: ³⁹ Night after night the sun sets beneath the horizon only to rise and set again the following day. This unchanging pattern is evidence of the Divine wisdom implanted in Hashem’s creation.—Rashi

There is no speech, and there are no words;

their voice is never heard.⁴⁰

footnotes: ⁴⁰ Though the heavens have no means of verbal communication, the soul of man, with its sensitivity and perception, can understand their message clearly.—Ibn Ezra

Throughout the earth, their line extends,

and to the edge of the inhabited world

their words,

He has set a tent in their midst for the sun.⁴¹

footnotes: ⁴¹ Hashem provided the sun a permanent residence in the heavens. Dovid describes this point to which the sun returns daily as its ‘tent’—its residence in the sky.—Metsudas Yehoshua

And it [the sun] is like a groom

departing his bridal chamber,⁴²

footnotes: ⁴² When the groom steps out of the bridal chamber, everyone rushes to greet him with great joy. Analogously, when the sun rises each day, all of creation rejoices.—Radak

happy as a warrior to run on course.⁴³

footnotes: ⁴³ A warrior is happy for the opportunity to go into battle because he has confidence in his skill and strength. Similarly, the sun rejoices knowing it will serve its Creator’s goals by running its course.—Metsudas Dovid.

From one end of the skies is its rising

and its circuit is to their [other] end;

there is no escaping its heat.

The Torah of Adonoy, is perfect,

restoring the soul;

the testimony of Adonoy, is trustworthy,

making wise the simple [man].

The precepts of Adonoy, are upright,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of Adonoy, is lucid,

enlightening the eyes.⁴⁴

footnotes: ⁴⁴ Every command of Hashem is flawless, lighting the way for those who walk in His way. Those who ignore His commands stumble in darkness.—Radak

The fear of Adonoy, is pure,

it endures forever;

the judgments of Adonoy, are true,

they are righteous in unison.⁴⁵

footnotes: ⁴⁵ They are all in total harmony. There is no contradiction between them.—Ibn Ezra

More desirable than gold,

even more than quantities of fine gold;⁴⁶

footnotes: ⁴⁶ פָּז is the purest form of refined gold.

and sweeter than honey,

or the drippings of honeycombs.

Even Your servant is careful of them,

since they guard⁴⁷ great reward.

footnotes: ⁴⁷ Because the Divine reward is contingent on fulfilling Hashem’s commands, they are ‘guardians’ of that reward.—Metsudas Yehoshua

Errors—who can comprehend?

From hidden [faults], cleanse me.

Also from willful [sins]

spare Your servant,

let them not rule me,⁴⁸

footnotes: ⁴⁸ Dovid’s request is paraphrased in the concluding blessing of the בִּרְכוֹת הַשַּׁחַר, where we say וְאַל יִשְׁלֹט בָּנוּ יֵצֶר הָרַע, “Let us not be ruled by the Evil Inclination.” Dovid knows full well that Hashem does not interfere with man’s free choise; he only asks for Divine help to keep him from becoming a prisoner of evil.—Gaon of Vilna

then I will be strong

and will be cleansed of gross transgression.

May the words of my mouth be acceptable

and the thoughts of my heart — before You

Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Of Dovid,

When he acted insane

in the presence of Avimelech

and he [Avimelech] drove him away,

and he [Dovid] left.

I will bless Adonoy at all times

constantly is His praise in my mouth.

In Adonoy does my soul take pride,⁴⁹

footnotes: ⁴⁹ Dovid is proud that he is worthy of uttering Hashem’s Name.

the humble will hear [this] and rejoice.

Declare the greatness of Adonoy with me,

and let us exalt His Name together.

I sought Adonoy and He responded to me;

and from all my fears He saved me.

[Those who] look to Him are enlightened

and their faces

are never darkened [humiliated].

This poor man⁵⁰ called and Adonoy heard;

footnotes: ⁵⁰ Dovid describes himself as a helpless indigent waiting for Hashem’s compassion.—Radak

and from all his troubles, He delivered him.

The angel of Adonoy encamps

around those who fear Him

and sets them free.

Taste and see that Adonoy is good;⁵¹

footnotes: ⁵¹ Seporno says that taste refers to the senses whereas “see” refers to the intellect.

fortunate is the man

who takes refuge in Him.

Fear Adonoy, [you] His holy ones,

for there is no deprivation

for those who fear Him.

Young lions feel want and hunger,

but those who seek Adonoy

will not lack any good thing.

Come children, listen to me,

fear of Adonoy will I teach you.

Who is the man who desires life,⁵²

footnotes: ⁵² Dovid does not say הֶחָפֵץ בַּחַיִּים ‘he who takes pleasure in life’ but הֶחָפֵץ חַיִּים, ‘he who desires life,’ whose only goal is life; that is, he desires to attain such a level of existence as can truly be called life.—S.R. Hirsch

and loves days that he may see good?

Guard your tongue from evil,

and your lips from speaking deceitfully.

Turn from evil and do good,

seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of Adonoy are toward the righteous,

and His ears [are open] to their cry.

The face⁵³ of Adonoy is set against evildoers

footnotes: ⁵³ The expression פְּנֵי ה', Face of Hashem, describes Divine anger. See Vayikra 20:5, וְשַׂמְתִּי אֲנִי אֶת פָּנַי בָּאִישׁ הַהוּא, “And I will set My Face against that man.”

to excise from earth, their memory.

They⁵⁴ cry out and Adonoy hears

footnotes: ⁵⁴ They refers to the righteous ones (Rashi) and to the repentant sinners (Ibn Ezra).

and from all their troubles, He saves them.

Adonoy is close to the broken-hearted

and those crushed in spirit, He delivers.

Many evils befall a righteous man,

and from all of them, Adonoy saves him.

He preserves all his bones,

not one of them is broken.

The cause of death of the wicked is evil;

and the haters of the righteous are doomed.

Adonoy liberates the soul of His servants,

and none are doomed

who take refuge in Him.

A prayer of Moshe, the man of God:

My Master

a dwelling[-place] have You been for us

in every generation.

Before the mountains were born,

and You brought forth the earth

and the inhabited world;

from world to world⁵⁵

footnotes: ⁵⁵ From before this world to the next world You are Almighty.

You are Almighty.

You push man down

until the crushing point⁵⁶

footnotes: ⁵⁶ You permit the sinner to return in penitence even till the very last moment of his life.—Iyun Tefiloh

and You say,

“Return, children of man!”⁵⁷

footnotes: ⁵⁷ You constantly call the sinner to return, reminding him of the brevity of his life.—Iyun Tefiloh

For a thousand years are in Your eyes

like the yesterday that has just passed,

and like a night watch.

The stream of their life is [but] slumber,

in the morning

they are as grass, freshly grown.

[If] in the morning it blossoms,

and grows afresh

by evening it is cut off and shriveled.

So are we consumed by Your anger

and by Your rage are we terrified.

You have set our iniquities before You,

the sins of our youth⁵⁸

footnotes: ⁵⁸ Others translate ‘our hidden sins [are exposed]’ see Metsudas Dovid

before the light of Your countenance.

For all our days

vanish in Your wrath;

we terminate our years

like an unspoken word.

The days of our years in them⁵⁹

footnotes: ⁵⁹ ‘In them’ refers to the iniquities and the youth mentioned in the two preceding verses. —Rashi

[total] seventy years,

and with strength, eighty years,

and their pride is frustration and falsehood;

for, cut off quickly, we fly away.⁶⁰

footnotes: ⁶⁰ Not only is the span of our lives brief, but our few allotted years fly by swiftly.—Iyun Tefiloh

Who can [get to] know

the force of Your anger?

And like the fear of You so is Your wrath.⁶¹

footnotes: ⁶¹ Just as Hashem is feared, so too is His wrath harsh when He punishes sinners.—Rashi

To count our days, teach us

and we will acquire a heart of wisdom.

Turn Adonoy—how long?⁶²

footnotes: ⁶² Turn away from Your wrath! How much longer will You make us suffer?—Targum

And change Your mind about Your servants.

Satisfy us in the morning⁶³

footnotes: ⁶³ The Sages say that the morning refers to the time of our redemption after the long, black nights of exile.

with Your kindliness,

and we will sing and rejoice

throughout our days.⁶⁴

footnotes: ⁶⁴ If You show us kindliness in the morning of our youth, showing us the way of righteousness; we will rejoice and sing in our old age.

Make us rejoice⁶⁵

footnotes: ⁶⁵ Make us rejoice in the era of the Moshiach for as long as we suffered in exile.

like the days You afflicted us,

the years [when] we saw evil.

Let be revealed to Your servants,

Your deeds

and Your splendor be upon their children.

May the pleasantness of my Master our God

be upon us,⁶⁶

footnotes: ⁶⁶ In this closing verse, Moshe prays that the Divine Presence rest on the Jewish nation exclusively.

and the work of our hands established for us,

and the work of our hands—establish it.

He who dwells

in the shelter of the Supreme One,

under the protection of Shadai he will abide.

I say of Adonoy,

[He is] my refuge and my stronghold,

my God in Whom I trust.

For He will save you from the snare-trap,

from destructive pestilence.

With His wings He will cover you

and beneath His wings, you will find refuge;

His truth is a shield, a full shield.

You will not fear the terror of night,

nor the arrow that flies by day.

The pestilence that prowls in darkness,

nor the deadly plague that ravages at noon.

A thousand will fall at your [left] side,

and ten thousand at your [right] side

but it⁶⁷ shall not come near you.

footnotes: ⁶⁷ ‘It’ refers to ‘arrow,’ pestilence,’ and ‘plague’ mentioned in the preceding two verse.

Only⁶⁸ with your eyes will you behold

footnotes: ⁶⁸ You will only see the destruction but you will not be harmed by it.

and see the punishment of the wicked.

For you [have proclaimed]:

“Adonoy is my refuge,”

the Supreme One

you have made your dwelling.

No evil shall befall you,

and no plague shall come near your tent.

For His angels

He will command on your behalf—

to guard you in all your ways.

They will carry you upon their hands,

lest you hurt your foot on a rock.

You will tread upon lion and snake,

you will trample young lion and serpent.

Because he clings to Me with desire,

I will save him;

I will strengthen him,

for he knows My Name.

When he calls upon Me, I will answer him;

I am with him in distress,

I will free him and honor him.

I will satiate him with longevity,

and will let him see My deliverance.

I will satiate him with longevity,

and will let him see My deliverance.

Praise God,

Praise the Name of Adonoy,

Praise [Him], servants of Adonoy.

[You] who stand in the House of Adonoy,

in the courtyards of the House of our God.

Praise God, for Adonoy is good,

sing to His Name which is pleasant.

For God chose Yaakov to be His,

Yisrael for His treasure.

For I know

that Adonoy is great,

our Master [is greater] than all gods.

All that was desired by Adonoy,

He has done in heaven and on earth,

in the seas and all the depths.

He causes clouds to rise

from the ends of the earth;

lightning for the rain He makes;

He brings forth winds from His vaults.

He struck down the firstborn of Mitzrayim

both man and beast.

He sent signs and wonders

into the midst of Mitzrayim,

upon Pharaoh and upon all his servants.

For He smote many nations,

and slew mighty kings:

Sichon, King of the Amorites,

and Og, King of the Bashan,

and all the kingdoms of Canaan.

And He gave their lands as an inheritance,

an inheritance to Yisrael, His people.

Adonoy is Your Name forever,

Adonoy is Your mention for generations.

For Adonoy judges His people,⁶⁹

footnotes: ⁶⁹ According to Seporno, the verse is translated, ‘When Adonoy judges on behalf of His people,’ referring to the judgement of all who oppressed the Jewish people.

and upon His servants will He relent.

The idols⁷⁰ of the nations,

footnotes: ⁷⁰ עֲצַבֵּי is related to עֶצֶב which means ‘sadness’ or ‘grief.’ Idols bring only grief to those who depend on them.—Radak

are of silver and gold,

products of human hands:

They have a mouth but do not speak;

they have eyes but do not see.

They have ears but do not listen;

nor is there any breath in their mouth.

Like them let their makers be—

all who trust in them.

House of Yisrael, bless Adonoy!⁷¹

footnotes: ⁷¹ The entire house of Yisrael is urged to bless Hashem Who set us apart from the other nations and made us His people. Yisrael is told to bless Hashem for its own unique position and manner of serving Him.— Ibn Ezra

House of Aharon, bless Adonoy!

House of Levi, bless Adonoy!

[You] who fear Adonoy,⁷² bless Adonoy!

footnotes: ⁷² This refers to those among the nations who converted to Judaism because of their fear and recognition of Hashem.

Blessed is Adonoy from Tziyon,

He Who dwells in Yerushalayim.

Praise God.

Thank Adonoy for He is good,

for His kindliness endures forever.⁷³

footnotes: ⁷³ This refrain is repeated in all twenty-six verses of the Psalm. We thereby declare that each act of kindliness for which we thank Hashem is not of a temporary nature, lasting merely a day or a year. The effect of His kindliness endures forever, and we continually reap the benefits of every act of Divine kindliness.—Sfas Emes

Thank the God of gods,

for His kindliness endures forever.

Thank the Master of masters,

for His kindliness endures forever.

He Who does great wonders, alone,

for His kindliness endures forever.

He Who makes the heavens,

with understanding,

for His kindliness endures forever.

He Who spreads the earth over the waters,

for His kindliness endures forever.

He Who makes the great luminaries,

for His kindliness endures forever.

The sun to rule by day,

for His kindliness endures forever.

The moon and stars

to rule by night,

for His kindliness endures forever.

He Who struck Mitzrayim

through their firstborn,

for His kindliness endures forever.

He brought Yisrael out of their midst,

for His kindliness endures forever.

With a strong hand and outstretched arm,

for His kindliness endures forever.

He Who parted the Sea of Reeds into parts,⁷⁴

footnotes: ⁷⁴ The sea was divided into twelve parts, so that each tribe crossed on its own route.

for His kindliness endures forever.

And He made Yisrael pass through it

for His kindliness endures forever.

And He threw Pharaoh and his army

into the Sea of Reeds,

for His kindliness endures forever.

He Who led His people

through the wilderness

for His kindliness endures forever.

He Who struck great kings,

for His kindliness endures forever.

And He slew mighty kings,

for His kindliness endures forever.

Sichon, king of the Amorites,

for His kindliness endures forever.

And Og, king of the Bashan,

for His kindliness endures forever.

And gave their land as an inheritance,

for His kindliness endures forever.

An inheritance to Yisrael, His servant,

for His kindliness endures forever.

In our lowliness, He remembered us,

for His kindliness endures forever.

And He freed us from our oppressors,

for His kindliness endures forever.

He gives food to all flesh,

for His kindliness endures forever.

Thank the Almighty of heaven

for His kindliness endures forever.⁷⁵

footnotes: ⁷⁵ The twenty six verses in this psalm symbolize the twenty six generations of man from Creation till the Torah was given. These generations were sustained solely by virtue of Hashem’s kindliness even though they did not have the merit of Torah.

Joyfully exult in Adonoy—righteous ones—

for the upright, praise is fitting.

Thank Adonoy with the harp,

with the ten-stringed lyre sing to Him.

Sing Him a new song,

play skillfully with jubilation.

For upright is the word of Adonoy

and all His deeds [are done] with faithfulness.

He loves righteousness and justice

the kindliness of Adonoy fills the earth.

By the word of God, the heavens were made,

and by the breath of His mouth,

all their hosts.

He gathers like a mound

the waters of the sea,

He places in vaults the deep waters.

Fear Adonoy, all the earth,

of Him, be in dread

all dwellers of the inhabited world.

For He spoke and it became;

He commanded and it stood.

Adonoy annuls the counsel of nations,

He disrupts the intention of peoples.

The counsel of Adonoy will stand forever,

the thoughts of His heart

throughout all generations.

Fortunate is the nation

for whom Adonoy is their God,

the people He chose as His heritage.

From the heavens, Adonoy looks [down],

He sees all mankind.

From His dwelling place,

He watches intently

all the inhabitants of the earth.

He forms their hearts all together;⁷⁶

footnotes: ⁷⁶ The Talmud (Sanhedrin 37a) states: When a man mints many coins from the same mold, they are all exactly alike, but Hashem formed all of mankind from Adam and no two men look exactly alike. The Sages in Berachos 58a add: just as no two faces are alike, so are no two personalities alike. Thus even though Hashem made them all together, each has his own unique personality.

He perceives all their doings.

A king is not saved by a great army;

a mighty man is not rescued

with [his] great strength.

A horse is deceptive [assurance]

for deliverance,

and with its great strength

it provides no escape.

Behold, the eye of Adonoy

is on those who fear Him,

on those who wait for His kindliness.

To rescue their soul from death,

and to keep them alive during famine.

Our soul yearned for Adonoy,

our help and our shield is He.

For in Him our heart will rejoice,

for in His Holy Name we trust,

May Your kindliness, Adonoy, be upon us,

as we have waited for You.

A Psalm, a song for the Shabbos day.

It is good to thank⁷⁷ Adonoy,

footnotes: ⁷⁷ 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.⁷⁸

footnotes: ⁷⁸ 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 hands⁷⁹ I sing joyously.

footnotes: ⁷⁹ 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.⁸⁰

footnotes: ⁸⁰ 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 horn⁸¹ like that of a unicorn;

footnotes: ⁸¹ 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 cedar⁸² in Lebanon, he will grow tall.

footnotes: ⁸² 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.