Blessed are You, Adonoy,

our God, King of the Universe,

Who sanctified us with His commandments

and commanded us to read the Hallel.

Psalm 113

Praise God!

Praise, you servants of Adonoy,¹

footnotes: ¹ Servitude is usually accompanied by unhappiness and depression, causing the slaves to seek ways of escaping from their master to attain freedom. Servitude of God, however, brings happiness; the Jew seeks ways to serve God and joyfully accepts the “yoke of Divine Sovereignty.”—Sfas Emes

praise the Name of Adonoy.

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.

Who is like Adonoy, our God,

Who dwells on high,

[yet] looks down so low²

footnotes: ² Enthroned in the highest heavens, He stoops to regard the most lowly on earth. Rabbi Yochanan said, “In every scriptural passage where you find the greatness of God mentioned, there you also find mention of His humility. (Megillah 31a)

in the heavens and [upon] the earth?

He raises up the poor from the dust,

from the dunghills He lifts up the needy,³

footnotes: ³ A דַל (poor man) has absolutely nothing, whereas an אֶבְיוֹן (a needy person), though in dire need, is slightly better off. The Vilna Gaon says that this verse is to be understood in a spiritual sense: God raises up even the spiritually poor person who is completely destitute in terms of Torah and mitzvos ; the spiritually needy person is one who may have some knowledge and good deeds but who has sunk into the dunghill of sin. If he earnestly seeks to repent, God will raise him to such a high level of spiritual purity that he will be seated with the “nobles of His people” (the patriarchs and the prophets).

to seat [them] with nobles,

with the nobles of His people.

He returns the barren woman to the home⁴

footnotes: ⁴ Metsudas Dovid translates, “He causes the barren woman to return to the home,” explaining that a woman without children spends most of her time outside the house. When God grants her children, He thereby causes her to stay at home, rearing her children.

[as] a joyful mother of children.

Praise God!

Psalm 114

When Israel went out of Egypt,

the House of Jacob

from a people of an alien language,⁵

footnotes: ⁵ לַעַז refers to any non-Hebraic tongue. לוֹעֵז denotes a person who speaks an alien tongue. Targum Yonoson interprets עַם לוֹעֵז , “a barbaric people.”

Judah became His holy nation,⁶

footnotes: ⁶ “And you will be unto Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”—Exodus 19:6

Israel, His dominion.

The sea saw and fled,

the Jordan turned back.

The mountains skipped like rams,

the hills like young sheep.

What startles you, sea,

that you flee;

Jordan, that you turn backwards?

Mountains, that you skip like rams

hills, like young sheep?

Tremble, earth, before the Master,⁷

footnotes: ⁷ According to the Sages, the words חוּלִי אָרֶץ indicate the creation, i.e., the birth of the world. The verse is thus translated: “Before the Master, the Creator of the earth.”

from before the God of Jacob,

Who turns the rock⁸

footnotes: ⁸ God made water flow from a rock at Refidim.—Exodus 17:6 and Numbers 20:8-11

into a pool of water,

the flintstone into a fountain of water.

Psalm 115

Not for our sake, Adonoy,⁹

footnotes: ⁹ According to Seporno, the Psalmist foresaw the destruction of the First Temple and prayed for its restoration, “not for our sake but for Your Name.” He also asked God to “give honor to His Name” even during the period of exile through His performance of miracles on behalf of the righteous of the generation.

not for our sake,

but unto Your Name give honor,

for the sake of Your kindliness,

for the sake of Your truth.

Why should the nations say,

“Where now is their God?”

And [indeed,] our God is in heaven,

whatever He desires, He does.

Their idols¹⁰ are silver and gold,

footnotes: ¹⁰ עַצַבֵּיהֶם is related to עָצֵב which means “sadness” or “grief.” Radak notes that idols bring only grief to those who depend on them.

products of human hands.

They have a mouth but cannot speak,

they have eyes but cannot see,

they have ears but cannot hear,

they have a nose, but cannot smell.

Their hands cannot feel.

Their feet cannot walk,

they cannot speak with their throat.

Like them shall be their makers—

all who put their trust in them.

Israel, trust in Adonoy;¹¹

footnotes: ¹¹ Maharal of Prague notes that there are three classes of those who place their trust in God. Israel manifests their trusts in Him like children who trust in their father. The House of Aaron, those who serve God out of love, manifest trust in Him their love for Him; while those who serve God out of reverence, manifest trust in Him through their reverence for Him.

He is their help and their shield.

House of Aaron, trust in Adonoy;

He is their help and their shield.

[You] who fear Adonoy, trust in Adonoy;¹²

footnotes: ¹² The Sages say that this refers to the proselytes (who were not included in the categories previously mentioned.)

He is their help and their shield.

Adonoy, mindful of us, will bless¹³—

footnotes: ¹³ The Psalmist beseeches God to bless the House of Israel each time we are mentioned before Him: “Adonoy when we are mentioned bless us.”—Maharal of Prague

He will bless the House of Israel;

He will bless the House of Aaron.

He will bless those who fear Adonoy,

the small ones along with the great.

May Adonoy increase you,

you and your children.¹⁴

footnotes: ¹⁴ He will so bless those who fear Him that the young will retain an eternal link with the old, so that the blessing of the parents will be transferred to the children.—S.R. Hirsch

Blessed are you unto Adonoy,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

The heaven is the heaven of Adonoy,¹⁵

footnotes: ¹⁵ The heaven is heavenly without the efforts of man. He is not asked to perfect the heavens. The earth, however, was “given” to man as his province, and he is asked to perfect it. The earth was given to man with the injunction that he transform its material nature into a spiritual holiness dedicated to God.—Numerous Chasidic sources

but the earth He gave to mankind.

The dead do not praise God,

nor do those who go down

into the silence (of the grave).

But we will bless God

from now forever.

Praise God!

Psalm 116

I love when Adonoy hears¹⁶

footnotes: ¹⁶ The Jewish people said: “Sovereign of the Universe! When am I loved by You? When You hear the sound of my prayer” (Pesachim 118b). One who loves another enjoys even the sound of his voice, regardless of the merit of his request. The Jew declares that he is loved when God listens even to the sound of his prayer—Agra D’pirka.

my voice, my prayers.

Because He turned His ear to me,

throughout my days I will call [upon Him].

I am encompassed with pangs of death

and the narrow confines of the grave

come upon me;

trouble and sorrow I encounter.

And upon the Name, Adonoy, I call

“I beseech You, Adonoy, save my soul.”

Gracious is Adonoy and righteous,

and our God is compassionate.

Adonoy protects the simple;

I was brought low and He delivered me.

Return, my soul, to your restfulness,

for Adonoy has rewarded you bountifully.

For You freed my soul from death,

my eye from tears,

my foot from stumbling.

I will walk before Adonoy

in the land of the living.¹⁷

footnotes: ¹⁷ According the Rashi and Radak, the land of the living refers to Eretz Yisroel.

I had faith (even) when I said,

“I suffer greatly.”

I said in my haste,

“All men are deceitful.”¹⁸

footnotes: ¹⁸ David said this when he was forced to flee from Absalom. Others say that it refers to his troubles when Saul tried to trap him. (See 1 Samuel 23)

How can I repay Adonoy

for all the rewards He bestowed on me?

The cup of deliverance I will raise,¹⁹

footnotes: ¹⁹ The word יְשׁוּעוֹת is plural, indicating more than one deliverance. Ibn Ezra says that there are many different ways in which God delivers us. Accordingly, S.R. Hirsch translates, “I shall raise the cup of deliverance’s many forms and call upon the Name Adonoy.”

and upon the Name, Adonoy, I will call.

My vows to Adonoy I will fulfill

in the presence of all His people.

Precious in the eyes of Adonoy

is the death of His pious ones.²⁰

footnotes: ²⁰ Ibn Ezra maintains that the word יָקָר is to be translated קָשֶׁה , difficult. He interprets: “The untimely death of His pious ones is most difficult in the sight of God.”

I beseech You, Adonoy,²¹

footnotes: ²¹ The Jew pleads with God, asking the Almighty to accept him as His servant.—Sfas Emes

for I am Your servant—

I am Your servant,

the son of Your handmaid;

You have loosened my bonds.

To You I will offer offerings of thanksgiving,

and upon the Name, Adonoy, I will call.

My vows to Adonoy I will fulfill.

in the presence of all His people.

In the courtyards of the House of God,

in Your midst, Jerusalem.

Praise God!

Psalm 117

Praise Adonoy, all nations²²

footnotes: ²² The shortest of all Psalms, it is one of the grandest. According to commentaries it refers to the Messianic times. It restates the ultimate hope of the Jew that all children of men shall one day be united in pure worship of God.

extol Him, all peoples.

For His kindness overwhelmed us,

and Adonoy's truth is forever.

Praise God!

Psalm 118

Thank Adonoy for He is good,

for His kindness endures forever.²³

footnotes: ²³ Each act of kindness that God does with the Jewish People is not of a temporary nature, lasting merely a day or a year, but its effects endure forever, as it is said: “The kindlinesses of Adonoy have not ended nor are His mercies exhausted” (Lamentations 3:22)—Sfas Emes.

Let Israel declare:

for His kindness endures forever.

Response: Thank Adonoy for He is good,

for His kindness endures forever.

Let the House of Aaron declare:

for His kindness endures forever.

Response: Thank Adonoy for He is good,

for His kindness endures forever.

Let those who fear Adonoy declare:

for His kindness endures is forever.

Response: Thank Adonoy for He is good,

for His kindness endures forever.

From the narrowness (of distress)

I called [to] God,

He answered me

with the breadth of Divine relief.

Adonoy is with me, I will not fear,

what can man do to me?

Adonoy is with me, to help me,

and I will see my enemies' (defeat).

It is better to take refuge in Adonoy²⁴

footnotes: ²⁴ The Psalmist declares that it is far better to rely on God even without His specific assurance of help, than to place one’s trust in man, even with his promises of assistance.—Siddur HaGra

than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in Adonoy

than to trust in nobles.

All nations surround me;

in Adonoy's Name, I cut them down.

They surrounded me, they surround me;

in Adonoy's Name, I cut them down.

They surrounded me like bees,

[but] they were extinguished like a thorn fire;

in Adonoy's Name, I cut them down.

You pushed me again and again²⁵ to fall,

footnotes: ²⁵ The Psalmist addresses his enemies.

but Adonoy helped me.

The strength and retribution of God

was (the cause of) my deliverance.

The sound of joyous song and deliverance

is in the tents of the righteous:

the right hand of Adonoy

performs deeds of valor.

The right hand of Adonoy is exalted,

the right hand of Adonoy

performs deeds of valor.

I shall not die; for I shall live

and relate the deeds of God.

God has severely chastised me,

but unto death He has not handed me.

Open for me the gates of righteousness;

I will enter them,

I will give thanks unto God.

This gate is Adonoy's

the righteous shall enter it.

I thank You for You answered me,²⁶

footnotes: ²⁶ According to Sfas Emes the word עֲנִיתָנִי can also read עִנִיתָנִי which is translated, “You have afflicted me.” The Psalmist thanks God for afflicting him, because that affliction became the source of his deliverance.

and You have been my deliverance.

I thank You for You answered me,

and You have been my deliverance.

The stone which the builders scorned

became the cornerstone.²⁷

footnotes: ²⁷ According to our Sages, this verse was recited by David’s father, Yishai, when the prophet, Samuel chose David as the one destined to be king of Israel. Yishai thought that one of his other sons would be selected, as he considered David to be inferior to them.

The stone which the builders scorned

became the cornerstone.

This is Adonoy's doing,

it is a marvel in our eyes.

This is Adonoy's doing,

it is a marvel in our eyes.

This day was made by Adonoy,

let us exult and rejoice in Him.

This day was made by Adonoy.

let us exult and rejoice in Him.

We implore You, Adonoy, deliver us!

We beseech You, Adonoy, deliver us!

We beseech You, Adonoy, make us successful!

We beseech You, Adonoy, make us successful!

Blessed be he who comes

in the Name of Adonoy;

we bless you from Adonoy's House.

Blessed be he who comes

in the Name of Adonoy;

we bless you from Adonoy's House.

Almighty, Adonoy, He gave us light;

bind the festival sacrifices with ropes²⁸

footnotes: ²⁸ The offerings that were brought free of blemish were tied down to protect them until they could be sacrificed and their blood sprinkled on the corners of the Altar.

(until they are brought) to the corners

of the Altar.

Almighty, Adonoy, He gave us light;

bind the festival sacrifices with ropes

(until they are brought) to the corners

of the Altar.

You are my Almighty

and I will give thanks to You;

My God, I will exalt You.

You are my Almighty

and I will give thanks to You;

My God, I will exalt You.

Thank Adonoy for He is good;

for His kindness endures forever.

Thank Adonoy for He is good;

for His kindness endures forever.

Your praise, Adonoy our God,

[will be proclaimed by] all Your works,

Your pious ones, the righteous,

who do Your will;

and all Your people, the House of Israel,

will joyfully thank and bless,

praise and glorify and sing,

exalt and revere,

sanctify and proclaim the sovereignty

of Your Name, our King continuously.

For to You it is good to give thanks,

and to Your Name it is fitting to sing praises,

for from this world to the next,

You are Almighty.

Blessed are You, Adonoy,

King, Who is extolled with praises.

And Avrohom was old,

well-on in years,

and Adonoy blessed Avrohom

with everything.

Exalted and sanctified be His great Name

in the world which He created

according to His will

and may He rule His kingdom

bring forth His redemption

and hasten the coming of His Mashiach

in your lifetime and in your days,

and in the lifetime

of the entire House of Israel,

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;

above (Shabbos Shuva: far above)

all the blessings and hymns,

praises and consolations

which we utter in the world—and say Amein.

May there be acceptance

of the prayers and supplications

of the entire House of Israel

before their Father in heaven.

And say, Amein.

May there be abundant peace from heaven

and good life

for us and for all Israel,

—and say Amein.

He Who makes peace in His high heavens

may He, make peace

for us and for all Israel,

—and say Amein.