On days in which Tachanun is not said, "A prayer of David," is omitted, and we begin "House of Jacob". On days in which "Almighty who is slow to anger," is not said, continue with the Psalm for the appropriate day.
תְּפִלָּה לְדָוִד A prayer of David.
הַטֵּה־יְהֺוָה אָזְנְךָ עֲנֵֽנִי Incline Your ear Adonay, and answer me,
כִּי־עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אָֽנִי: for poor and needy am I.
שָׁמְ֒רָה נַפְשִׁי כִּי־חָסִיד אָֽנִי Preserve my soul for I am devoted,
הוֹשַׁע עַבְדְּךָ אַתָּה אֱלֹהַי deliver Your servant, my God,
הַבּוֹטֵֽחַ אֵלֶֽיךָ: who trusts in You.
חָנֵּֽנִי אֲדֹנָי Be gracious to me my Master,
כִּי־אֵלֶֽיךָ אֶקְרָא כָּל־הַיּוֹם: for to You I cry out all the day.
שַׂמֵּֽחַ נֶֽפֶשׁ עַבְדֶּֽךָ Make glad the soul of Your servant,
כִּי־אֵלֶֽיךָ אֲדֹנָי for, to You, my Master,
נַפְשִׁי אֶשָּׂא: I lift up my soul.
כִּי־אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי For You, my Master,
טוֹב וְסַלָּח are good and forgiving,
וְרַב־חֶֽסֶד and abounding in kindness
לְכָל־קֹרְ֒אֶֽיךָ: to all who call upon You.
הַאֲזִֽינָה יְהֺוָה תְּפִלָּתִי Give ear, Adonoy, to my prayer,
וְהַקְשִֽׁיבָה בְּקוֹל תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָי: and listen to the voice of my supplications.
בְּיוֹם צָרָתִי אֶקְרָאֶֽךָּ In the day of my distress I call out to You,
כִּי תַעֲנֵֽנִי: for You will answer me.
אֵין־כָּמֽוֹךָ There is none like You
בָאֱלֹהִים | אֲדֹנָי among gods, my Master,
וְאֵין כְּמַעֲשֶֽׂיךָ: and there is nothing like Your works.
כָּל־גּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר עָשִֽׂיתָ All nations which You have made
יָבֽוֹאוּ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ will come and bow down
לְפָנֶֽיךָ אֲדֹנָי before You, my Master,
וִיכַבְּ֒דוּ לִשְׁמֶֽךָ: and they will give honor to Your Name.
כִּי־גָדוֹל אַתָּה For You are great
וְעֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת and do wondrous things,
אַתָּה אֱלֹהִים לְבַדֶּֽךָ: You alone God.
הוֹרֵֽנִי יְהֺוָה דַּרְכֶּֽךָ Teach me, Adonoy, Your way
אֲהַלֵּךְ בַּאֲמִתֶּֽךָ that I may walk in Your truth;
יַחֵד לְבָבִי לְיִרְאָה שְׁמֶֽךָ: let me be of one heart to fear Your Name.
אוֹדְ֒ךָ אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהַי I will thank You, my Master, my God,
בְּכָל־לְבָבִי with all my heart,
וַאֲכַבְּ֒דָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם: and I will glorify Your Name, forever.
כִּי־חַסְדְּ֒ךָ For Your kindness
גָּדוֹל עָלָי has been great toward me,
וְהִצַּֽלְתָּ נַפְשִׁי and You have rescued my soul
מִשְּׁ֒אוֹל תַּחְתִּיָּה: from the lowest depths of the grave.
אֱלֹהִים זֵדִים קָֽמוּ־עָלַי God, the insolent have risen up against me,
וַעֲדַת עָרִיצִים and a company of violent men
בִּקְ֒שׁוּ נַפְשִׁי have sought my soul,
וְלֹא שָׂמֽוּךָ and they have not set [the fear of] You
לְנֶגְדָּם: before them.
וְאַתָּה אֲדֹנָי But You, my Master,
אֵל־רַחוּם are the Almighty Who is Merciful
וְחַנּוּן and Gracious,
אֶֽרֶךְ אַפַּֽיִם וְרַב־חֶֽסֶד וֶאֱמֶת: Slow to Anger and Full of Kindness and Truth.
פְּנֵה אֵלַי וְחָנֵּֽנִי Turn to me and be gracious to me,
תְּנָה־עֻזְּ֒ךָ לְעַבְדֶּֽךָ give Your strength to Your servant,
וְהוֹשִֽׁיעָה לְבֶן־אֲמָתֶֽךָ: and deliver the son of Your handmaid.
עֲשֵׂה־עִמִּי אוֹת לְטוֹבָה Give me a sign of Your kindness,
וְיִרְאוּ שׂנְ֒אַי וְיֵבֽשׁוּ that my enemies may see it and be ashamed,
כִּי־אַתָּה יְהֺוָה עֲזַרְתַּֽנִי for You, Adonoy, have helped me
וְנִחַמְתָּֽנִי: and comforted me.
בֵּית יַעֲקֹב House of Jacob,
לְכוּ וְנֵלְ֒כָה בְּאוֹר יְהוָֹה: Come let us walk in the light of Adonoy.
כִּי כָּל־הָעַמִּים For all the nations
יֵֽלְ֒כוּ אִישׁ בְּשֵׁם אֱלֺֽהָיו, walk in the name of its god,
וַֽאֲנַֽחְנוּ נֵלֵךְ בְּשֵׁם־יְהוָֹה but we walk in the Name of Adonoy,
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: our God, forever.
יְהִי יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ עִמָּֽנוּ May Adonoy, our God, be with us
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר הָיָה עִם־אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ, as He was with our fathers,
אַל־יַֽעַזְ֒בֵֽנוּ וְאַל־יִטְּ֒שֵֽׁנוּ: may He not forsake us nor abandon us,
לְהַטּוֹת לְבָבֵֽנוּ אֵלָיו, that He may turn our hearts to Him,
לָלֶֽכֶת בְּכָל־דְּרָכָיו, to walk in all His ways,
וְלִשְׁמֹר מִצְוֹתָיו, וְחֻקָּיו, to preserve His commandments, His statutes,
וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו, and His precepts,
אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה אֶת־אֲבֹתֵֽינוּ: which He commanded our fathers.
וְיִהְיוּ דְבָרַי אֵֽלֶּה May these words of mine
אֲשֶׁר הִתְחַנַּֽנְתִּי [with] which I have prayed
לִפְנֵי יְהוָֹה, before Adonoy,
קְרֹבִים אֶל יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ be near to Adonoy, our God
יוֹמָם וָלָֽיְלָה, by day and night;
לַעֲשׂוֹת מִשְׁפַּט עַבְדּוֹ, that He provide the needs of his servant
וּמִשְׁפַּט עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל and the needs of His people Israel
דְּבַר־יוֹם בְּיוֹמוֹ: each day.
לְמַֽעַן דַּֽעַת In order that it become known
כָּל־עַמֵּי הָאָֽרֶץ, to all the peoples of the earth
כִּי יְהוָֹה הוּא הָֽאֱלֹהִים, that Adonoy is God—
אֵין עוֹד: there is nothing else.
שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת לְדָוִד A Song of Ascents of David.
לוּלֵי יְהֺוָה Had it not been for Adonoy
שֶׁהָֽיָה לָֽנוּ Who was for us,
יֹֽאמַר־נָא יִשְׂרָאֵל: let Israel now say.
לוּלֵי יְהֺוָה Had it not been for Adonoy
שֶׁהָֽיָה לָֽנוּ Who was for us,
בְּקוּם עָלֵֽינוּ אָדָם: when men rose up against us.
אֲזַי חַיִּים בְּלָעֽוּנוּ They would have then swallowed us alive,
בַּחֲרוֹת אַפָּם בָּֽנוּ: when their wrath blazed against us.
אֲזַי הַמַּֽיִם שְׁטָפֽוּנוּ The waters would have then swept us away,
נַֽחְלָה עָבַר עַל־נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ: affliction would have passed over our soul.
אֲזַי עָבַר עַל־נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ Then over our soul would have gone
הַמַּֽיִם הַזֵּידוֹנִים: the impetuous waters.
בָּרוּךְ יְהֺוָה Blessed is Adonoy,
שֶׁלֹּא נְתָנָֽנוּ Who did not give us
טֶֽרֶף לְשִׁנֵּיהֶם: as prey to their teeth.
נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ כְּצִפּוֹר Our soul escaped as a bird
נִמְלְטָה מִפַּח יוֹקְ֒שִׁים out of the fowler's snare;
הַפַּח נִשְׁבָּר the snare is broken
וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ נִמְלָֽטְ֒נוּ: and we escaped.
עֶזְרֵֽנוּ בְּשֵׁם יְהֺוָה Our help is in the Name of Adonoy,
עֹשֵׂה שָׁמַֽיִם וָאָֽרֶץ: Maker of heaven and earth.
The custom of reciting a different psalm each day of the week originated in the Temple. The Mishnah (Maseches Tamid 7:4) describes the psalms which were chanted by the Levites each day during the service.
On Sunday:
הַיּוֹם יוֹם רִאשׁוֹן בַּשַּׁבָּת Today is the first day of the week,
שֶׁבּוֹ הָיוּ הַלְ֒וִיִּם אוֹמְ֒רִים on which the Levites used to recite
בְּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ: in the Holy Temple:
לְדָוִד מִזְמוֹר A psalm of David:
לַיהוָֹה הָאָֽרֶץ the earth is Adonoy's
וּמְ֒לוֹאָהּ and the fullness thereof,1Rabbi Judah says in the name of Rabbi Akiva, “On the first day of the week, the Levites sang psalm 24, The earth is Adonoy's and the fullness thereof, because on that day God took possession of His newly created world for Himself, in order to give possession to mankind. Yet He remained the sole Master of the world.”—Maseches Rosh Hashana 31a
תֵּבֵל the inhabited world
וְיֽשְׁ֒בֵי בָהּ: and those who dwell in it.
כִּי הוּא עַל יַמִּים יְסָדָהּ For He founded it upon the seas,
וְעַל נְהָרוֹת יְכוֹנְ֒נֶֽהָ: and established it upon rivers.
מִי יַעֲלֶה בְהַר יְהֹוָה Who may ascend the mountain2Ibn Ezra says that “mountain” refers to Mount Moriah, the location of the Temple. David composed this psalm on the day he purchased the Temple site from Aravna the Jebusite. of Adonoy,
וּמִי יָקוּם and who may stand
בִּמְ֒קוֹם קָדְשׁוֹ: in the place of His holiness?
נְקִי כַפַּֽיִם וּבַר לֵבָב The clean of hands and the pure of heart,
אֲשֶׁר לֺא נָשָׂא לַשָּׁוְא נַפְשִׁי who has not borne My soul in vain,
וְלֺא נִשְׁבַּע לְמִרְמָה: and has not sworn deceitfully.3He whose piety is genuine and who will not use the Name of God to deceive others.—S.R. Hirsch
יִשָּׂא בְרָכָה מֵאֵת יְהֹוָה He will bear Adonoy's blessing4This person can expect that God will give him whatever will best serve his genuine welfare.—S.R. Hirsch
וּצְ֒דָקָה and righteousness
מֵאֱלֺהֵי יִשְׁעוֹ: from the God of his deliverance.
זֶה דּוֹר דּוֹרְ֒שָׁיו This is the generation of those who seek Him,
מְבַקְ֒שֵׁי פָנֶֽיךָ the seekers of Your Presence,
יַעֲקֹב סֶֽלָה: [God of] Jacob,5“Jacob” refers to all of Israel, the true descendants of the patriarch Jacob.—Radak Selah.
שְׂאוּ שְׁעָרִים רָאשֵׁיכֶם Lift up your heads, gates,
וְהִנָּשְׂ֒אוּ and be uplifted
פִּתְ֒חֵי עוֹלָם [you] entranceways to eternity,
וְיָבוֹא מֶֽלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד: so that the King of Glory may enter.
מִי זֶה מֶֽלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד Who is this King of Glory?
יְהֹוָה עִזּוּז וְגִבּוֹר Adonoy, strong and mighty;
יְהֹוָה גִּבּוֹר מִלְחָמָה: Adonoy, the Mighty One in battle.
שְׂאוּ שְׁעָרִים רָאשֵׁיכֶם Lift up your heads, gates,
וּשְׂ֒אוּ פִּתְ֒חֵי עוֹלָם and lift, entranceways to eternity,
וְיָבוֹא מֶֽלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד: so that the King of Glory may enter.
מִי הוּא זֶה מֶֽלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד Who is He, this King of Glory?
יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת Adonoy of hosts,
הוּא מֶֽלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד סֶֽלָה: He is the King of Glory, Selah.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
On Monday:
הַיּוֹם יוֹם שֵׁנִי בַּשַּׁבָּת Today is the second day of the week,
שֶׁבּוֹ הָיוּ הַלְ֒וִיִּם אוֹמְ֒רִים on which the Levites used to recite
בְּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ: in the Holy Temple:
שִׁיר מִזְמוֹר לִבְנֵי קֹֽרַח: A song, a psalm by the sons of Korach.6On the second day, psalm 48, “Adonoy is great and highly extolled,” was sung by the Levites because on the second day of creation God separated the heavenly and earthly parts of the universe and ruled over both.—Maseches Rosh Hashana 31a
גָּדוֹל יְהֹוָה וּמְהֻלָּל מְאֹד Adonoy is great and highly extolled
בְּעִיר אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ in the city of our God,
הַר קָדְשׁוֹ: the mountain of His Sanctuary.
יְפֵה נוֹף Beautiful in its panoramic vista,
מְשׂוֹשׂ כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ הַר צִיּוֹן the joy of all the earth is Mount Zion,
יַרְכְּתֵי צָפוֹן on the northern extremities (of Jerusalem);7Jerusalem is the source of all the joy in the world. Joy radiates from Jerusalem to the rest of the world because it is the center of the universe, both in terms of geography and history. The Temple era is the midpoint of the generations—of the generations which preceded the Temple, and of those which followed its destruction. The generations before the Temple were uplifted and imbued with the hopes of its realization; the later generations are drawn to its light by recalling its radiant glory and by anticipating its rebuilding. We mention Jerusalem at every joyous occasion to emphasize that it is the true source of joy.—Sfas Emes
Tziyun is the Hebrew word for a monument, a memorial for someone who has died. When it is spelled “Tziyon, it refers to the site of God's Sanctuary, a timeless memorial for the preservation of truth in the midst of mankind. Even though the Temple has been destroyed, the mountain symbolically reminds man of the presence of the true God.—S.R. Hirsch
קִרְיַת מֶֽלֶךְ רָב: the city of the great King.8Some commentators say that the great king refers to David, rather than to God.
אֱלֺהִים בְּאַרְמְנוֹתֶֽיהָ God, in its palaces,
נוֹדַע לְמִשְׂגָּב: has become known as a Stronghold.
כִּי הִנֵּה הַמְּ֒לָכִים נוֹעֲדוּ For behold, the kings assembled,9The kings had assembled to attack Jerusalem.—Rashi
עָבְ֒רוּ יַחְדָּו: they passed by together.
הֵֽמָּה רָאוּ כֵּן תָּמָֽהוּ They saw and were astounded,10When the kings, who assembled to attack Jerusalem, witnessed the wondrous deeds which God performed in His victorious battle against their armies, they were astounded and terrified.—Radak
נִבְהֲלוּ נֶחְפָּֽזוּ: they panicked and fled in haste.
רְעָדָה אֲחָזָֽתַם שָׁם Trembling siezed them there,
חִיל כַּיּוֹלֵדָה: like the pangs of a woman in labor.
בְּרֽוּחַ קָדִים With an east wind
תְּשַׁבֵּר אֳנִיּוֹת תַּרְשִׁישׁ: You smashed the ships of Tarshish.
כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַֽעְנוּ כֵּן רָאִֽינוּ As we heard, so we saw
בְּעִיר יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת in the city of Adonoy of hosts,
בְּעִיר אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ in the city of our God;
אֱלֺהִים יְכוֹנְ֒נֶֽהָ עַד עוֹלָם סֶֽלָה: may God establish it for eternity, Selah.
דִּמִּֽינוּ אֱלֺהִים חַסְדֶּֽךָ We hoped, God, for Your lovingkindness
בְּקֶֽרֶב הֵיכָלֶֽךָ: in the midst of Your Sanctuary.
כְּשִׁמְךָ אֱלֺהִים כֵּן תְּהִלָּתְ֒ךָ As Your Name, God, so is Your praise—11We testify that Your wondrous deeds match the praise and exalted names which the Prophets used to describe Your might.—Radak
עַל קַצְוֵי אֶֽרֶץ to the ends of the earth;
צֶֽדֶק מָלְ֒אָה יְמִינֶֽךָ: Your right hand is full of righteousness.
יִשְׂמַח הַר צִיּוֹן Let Mount Zion rejoice,
תָּגֵֽלְנָה בְּנוֹת יְהוּדָה let the daughters12Or cities of Judah. of Judah exult,
לְמַֽעַן מִשְׁפָּטֶֽיךָ: because of Your judgments.
סֹֽבּוּ צִיּוֹן וְהַקִּיפֽוּהָ Rally around Zion and encircle her,
סִפְ֒רוּ מִגְדָּלֶֽיהָ: count her towers.
שִֽׁיתוּ לִבְּ֒כֶם לְחֵילָה Consider well her ramparts,
פַּסְּ֒גוּ אַרְמְ֒נוֹתֶֽיהָ raise high her citadels,
לְמַֽעַן תְּסַפְּ֒רוּ לְדוֹר אַחֲרוֹן: that you may recount it to future generations.
כִּי זֶה אֱלֺהִים אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ That this is God, our God
עוֹלָם וָעֶד forever and ever,
הוּא יְנַהֲגֵֽנוּ עַל מוּת: He will lead us like children.13Hirsch and others translate, “He will lead us beyond death.” They divide almus into two words al mus. Our translation follows Rashi, who renders it as one word.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
On Tuesday:
הַיּוֹם יוֹם שְׁלִישִׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת Today is the third day of the week,
שֶׁבּוֹ הָיוּ הַלְ֒וִיִּם אוֹמְ֒רִים on which the Levites used to recite
בְּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ: in the Holy Temple:
מִזְמוֹר לְאָסָף A psalm of Assaf14Assaf was one of the ten composers who contributed to the Book of Psalms; he wrote eleven psalms (73-83). The leading Levite musician of his times, he was also endowed with the spirit of prophecy.
אֱלֺהִים נִצָּב God stands
בַּעֲדַת אֵל in the congregation of the Almighty,15The Talmud designates psalm 82 for the third day of the week because on the third day of Creation, God in His wisdom revealed the earth and established the world for His chosen “congregation.” This psalm is an allusion to Genesis 1:9 where we read, “God said, ‘Let the waters beneath the heavens be gathered (congregate) into one place, so that the dry land may appear’.”.—Maseches Rosh Hashana 31a
בְּקֶֽרֶב אֱלֺהִים יִשְׁפֹּט: in the midst of the judges He gives judgement.
עַד מָתַי תִּשְׁפְּטוּ עָֽוֶל How long will you judge lawlessly
וּפְ֒נֵי רְשָׁעִים תִּשְׂ֒אוּ סֶֽלָה: and show partiality to the wicked forever?
שִׁפְ֒טוּ דָל וְיָתוֹם Render justice to the lowly and the orphan,
עָנִי וָרָשׁ הַצְדִּֽיקוּ: deal righteously with the poor and destitute.
פַּלְּ֒טוּ דַל וְאֶבְיוֹן Rescue the lowly and the needy,
מִיַּד רְשָׁעִים הַצִּֽילוּ: save them from the hand of the wicked.
לֺא יָדְ֒עוּ וְלֺא יָבִֽינוּ They neither know nor understand,16“They” refers to the judges.
בַּחֲשֵׁכָה יִתְהַלָּֽכוּ they walk along in darkness,
יִמּֽוֹטוּ כָּל מֽוֹסְ֒דֵי אָֽרֶץ: all the foundations of the earth are shaken.17Justice is one of the three pillars upon which the earth rests (Maseches Avos 1:18). Without justice there is no stability in the world.
אֲנִי אָמַֽרְתִּי אֱלֺהִים אַתֶּם I had said "You are godlike beings,
וּבְ֒נֵי עֶלְיוֹן כֻּלְּ֒כֶם: all of you, sons of the Most High."
אָכֵן כְּאָדָם תְּמוּתוּן Nevertheless, you shall die like men,
וּכְ֒אַחַד הַשָּׂרִים תִּפֹּֽלוּ: and fall like one of the princes.
קוּמָה אֱלֺהִים שָׁפְ֒טָה הָאָרֶץ Arise, God, judge the earth,
כִּי אַתָּה תִנְחַל בְּכָל הַגּוֹיִם: for You will inherit all the nations.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
On Wednesday:
הַיּוֹם יוֹם רְבִיעִי בַּשַּׁבָּת Today is the fourth day of the week,
שֶׁבּוֹ הָיוּ הַלְ֒וִיִּם אוֹמְ֒רִים on which the Levites used to recite
בְּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ: in the Holy Temple:
אֵל נְקָמוֹת יְהֹוָה Almighty of vengeance, Adonoy,18Psalm 94, “Almighty of vengeance” was sung on the fourth day because God created the sun and the moon on the fourth day, and He will punish those who worship them.—Maseches Rosh Hashana
אֵל נְקָמוֹת הוֹפִֽיעַ: Almighty of vengeance, reveal Yourself.
הִנָּשֵׂא שֹׁפֵט הָאָֽרֶץ Arise Judge of the earth,
הָשֵׁב גְּמוּל עַל גֵּאִים: repay the arrogant their just reward.
עַד מָתַי רְשָׁעִים How long shall the wicked—
יְהֹוָה Adonoy—
עַד מָתַי רְשָׁעִים יַעֲלֺֽזוּ: how long shall the wicked exult?
יַבִּֽיעוּ יְדַבְּ֒רוּ עָתָק They express, they speak with arrogance;
יִתְאַמְּ֒רוּ כָּל פֹּֽעֲלֵי אָֽוֶן: all the evildoers are boastful.
עַמְּ֒ךָ יְהֹוָה יְדַכְּ֒אוּ Adonoy, they crush Your people
וְנַחֲלָתְ֒ךָ יְעַנּוּ: and Your heritage they oppress.
אַלְמָנָה וְגֵר יַהֲרֹֽגוּ The widow and stranger they kill,
וִיתוֹמִים יְרַצֵּֽחוּ: and orphans they murder.
וַיֹּאמְ֒רוּ לֺא יִרְאֶה יָהּ And they say, "God does not see,
וְלֺא יָבִין אֱלֺהֵי יַעֲקֹב: the God of Jacob is not concerned."
בִּֽינוּ Consider,
בֹּעֲרִים בָּעָם [you] stupid [ones] among the people,—
וּכְ֒סִילִים מָתַי תַּשְׂכִּֽילוּ: and you fools when will you become wise?
הֲנֹֽטַע אֹֽזֶן הֲלֺא יִשְׁמָע He Who implanted the ear, does He not hear?
אִם יוֹצֵר עַֽיִן הֲלֺא יַבִּיט: He Who formed the eye, does He not see?
הֲיֹסֵר גּוֹיִם He Who chastises nations,
הֲלֺא יוֹכִֽיחַ does He not reprove—
הַמְ֒לַמֵּד אָדָם דָּֽעַת: He that teaches man knowledge?
יְהֹוָה יֹדֵֽעַ מַחְשְׁ֒בוֹת אָדָם Adonoy knows the thoughts of men,
כִּי הֵֽמָּה הָֽבֶל: that they are vanity.
אַשְׁרֵי הַגֶּֽבֶר Fortunate is the man
אֲשֶׁר תְּיַסְּ֒רֶֽנּוּ יָהּ whom You chastise, God,
וּמִתּוֹרָתְ֒ךָ תְלַמְּ֒דֶֽנּוּ: and whom You instruct from Your Torah.
לְהַשְׁקִיט לוֹ מִֽימֵי רָע To grant him tranquility from days of evil,
עַד יִכָּרֶה לָרָשָׁע שָֽׁחַת: until the pit is dug for the wicked.
כִּי לֺא יִטּשׁ יְהֹוָה עַמּוֹ for Adonoy will not abandon His people
וְנַחֲלָתוֹ לֺא יַעֲזֹב: and His inheritance, He will not forsake.
כִּי עַד צֶֽדֶק יָשׁוּב מִשְׁפָּט For justice shall return unto righteousness,
וְאַחֲרָיו כָּל יִשְׁ֒רֵי לֵב: and all the upright in heart will follow it.
מִי יָקוּם לִי עִם מְרֵעִים Who will rise up for me against the wicked,
מִי יִתְיַצֵּב לִי who will stand up for me
עִם פֹּֽעֲלֵי אָֽוֶן: against the evildoers?
לוּלֵי יְהֹוָה עֶזְרָֽתָה לִּי Had Adonoy not been my help,
כִּמְ֒עַט in an instant
שָׁכְ֒נָה דוּמָה נַפְשִׁי: my soul would have dwelt in the silent grave.
אִם אָמַֽרְתִּי מָֽטָה רַגְלִי If [Whenever] I said, my foot has slipped,
חַסְדְּ֒ךָ יְהֹוָה יִסְעָדֵֽנִי: Your kindliness, Adonoy upheld me.
בְּרֹב שַׂרְעַפַּי When (worrisome) thoughts multiply
בְּקִרְבִּי within me,
תַּנְחוּמֶֽיךָ יְשַׁעַשְׁ֒עוּ נַפְשִׁי: Your consolations soothe my soul.
הַיְ֒חָבְרְךָ כִּסֵּא הַוּוֹת Can a tribunal of evil have accord with You—
יֹצֵר עָמָל עֲלֵי חֹק: [a tribunal] that makes iniquity into law?
יָגֽוֹדּוּ עַל נֶֽפֶשׁ צַדִּיק They gang up against the life of the righteous,
וְדָם נָקִי יַרְשִֽׁיעוּ: and blood of the innocent they condemn.
וַיְ֒הִי יְהֹוָה לִי לְמִשְׂגָּב Adonoy has been my stronghold,
וֵאלֺהַי לְצוּר מַחְסִי: my God the Rock of my refuge.
וַיָּֽשֶׁב עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת אוֹנָם He turns their violence against them,
וּבְ֒רָעָתָם and with their own wickedness
יַצְמִיתֵם destroys them;
יַצְמִיתֵם יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ: Adonoy, my God, destroys them.
לְכוּ נְרַנְּ֒נָה לַיהוָֹה Come let us sing to Adonoy;
נָרִֽיעָה let us shout for joy
לְצוּר יִשְׁעֵֽנוּ: to the Rock of our Deliverance.19This verse and the following two are from Psalms 95:1-3.
נְקַדְּ֒מָה פָנָיו בְּתוֹדָה Let us greet Him with thanksgiving;
בִּזְמִרוֹת נָרִֽיעַ לוֹ: with song let us shout for joy to Him.
כִּי אֵל גָּדוֹל יְהֹוָה for a great Almighty is Adonoy;
וּמֶֽלֶךְ גָּדוֹל עַל כָּל אֱלֺהִים: a great King over all godlike beings.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
On Thursday:
הַיּוֹם יוֹם חֲמִישִׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת Today is the fifth day of the week,
שֶׁבּוֹ הָיוּ הַלְ֒וִיִּם אוֹמְ֒רִים on which the Levites used to recite
בְּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ: in the Holy Temple:
לַמְנַצֵּֽחַ To Him Who grants victory—20Psalm 81 was designated for the fifth day “Because God created the birds and fish on that day.” These creatures bring joy to the world and when people observe the vast variety of the bird and fish species, they are awed by God's creativity. They are thus inspired to sing joyously to God.—Maseches Rosh Hashana 31a
עַל הַגִּתִּית לְאָסָף: upon the Gittis,21Gittis was a musical instrument that was manufactured in the town of Gat. a psalm of Assaf:
הַרְנִֽינוּ לֵאלֺהִים עֻזֵּנוּ Sing joyously to God, our strength,
הָרִֽיעוּ לֵאלֺהֵי יַעֲקֹב: shout for joy to the God of Jacob.22Meiri associates the word הריעו with תרועה, sounding the shofar. Thus the verse reads, “Sound the shofar to the God of Jacob.”
שְׂאוּ זִמְרָה וּתְ֒נוּ תֹף Take up the hymn, sound the drum,
כִּנּוֹר נָעִים עִם נָֽבֶל: the pleasant harp and the lute.
תִּקְ֒עוּ בַחֹֽדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר Blow the shofar on the Rosh Chodesh,
בַּכֶּֽסֶה לְיוֹם חַגֵּֽנוּ: at the appointed time for our festive day.23The Talmud relates the word כסה with כסה, covering. All other festivals occur when the moon is clearly visible. Rosh Hashana occurs at the beginning of the month when the moon is barely visible.—Maseches Rosh Hashana 8a
כִּי חֹק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא For it is a statute for Israel,
מִשְׁפָּט לֵאלֺהֵי יַעֲקֹב: a [day of] judgement of the God of Jacob.24S.R. Hirsch translates, “The God of Jacob sits in judgment.”
עֵדוּת בִּיהוֹסֵף שָׂמוֹ As a testimony for Yehosef, He ordained it25Joseph feared God's Name and refused to give in to the wiles of Potiphar's wife. Because he sanctified God's Name, he merited that the letter hei from God's Name should be added to his name, making it Yehosef, יהוסף.—Maseches Sotah 10b.
בְּצֵאתוֹ עַל אֶֽרֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם when he went out over the land of Egypt,
שְׂפַת לֺא יָדַֽעְתִּי אֶשְׁמָע: [where] an unfamiliar language I heard.
הֲסִירֽוֹתִי מִסֵּֽבֶל שִׁכְמוֹ From the burden, I removed his shoulder,
כַּפָּיו מִדּוּד תַּעֲבֹֽרְ֒נָה: his hands were removed from the cauldron.26Rashi says that this refers to the cooking and menial kitchen tasks which the Jewish slaves were forced to do in Egypt.
בַּצָּרָה קָרָֽאתָ וָאֲחַלְּ֒צֶֽךָ In distress you called out, and I released you,
אֶעֶנְךָ I answered you
בְּסֵֽתֶר [though you called] in secret
רַֽעַם [I answered you] thunderously;
אֶבְחָנְ֒ךָ עַל מֵי מְרִיבָה סֶֽלָה: I tested you at the waters of Merivah. Selah.
שְׁמַע עַמִּי וְאָעִֽידָה בָּךְ Hear, My people, I will testify about you,
יִשְׂרָאֵל אִם תִּשְׁמַע לִי: Israel, if you would just listen to Me.
לֺא יִהְיֶה בְךָ אֵל זָר Let no strange god be within you,
וְלֺא תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה לְאֵל נֵכָר: nor bow before a foreign god.
אָנֹכִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֺהֶֽיךָ I am Adonoy, your God,
הַמַּעַלְ֒ךָ מֵאֶֽרֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם Who brought you up from the land of Egypt,
הַרְחֶב פִּֽיךָ וַאֲמַלְ֒אֵֽהוּ: open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.27“Open your mouth wide” and state all your desires.
וְלֺא שָׁמַע עַמִּי לְקוֹלִי But My people did not heed My voice,
וְיִשְׂרָאֵל לֺא אָֽבָה לִי: and Israel did not want Me.
וָאֲשַׁלְּ֒חֵֽהוּ בִּשְׁרִירוּת לִבָּם So I sent them to follow their heart's desires,
יֵלְ֒כוּ בְּמוֹעֲצוֹתֵיהֶם: let them follow their own devices.
לוּ עַמִּי שֹׁמֵֽעַ לִי If only My people would heed Me,
יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּדְ֒רָכַי יְהַלֵּֽכוּ: if Israel would walk in My ways.
כִּמְ֒עַט אוֹיְ֒בֵיהֶם אַכְנִֽיעַ I would immediately subdue their enemies,
וְעַל צָרֵיהֶם אָשִׁיב יָדִי: and turn My hand against their tormentors.
מְשַׂנְ֒אֵי יְהֹוָה Those who cause hate of Adonoy
יְכַחֲשׁוּ לוֹ deceive [pretend obedience to] Him,
וִיהִי עִתָּם but their time (of punishment)
לְעוֹלָם: will be forever.
וַיַּאֲכִילֵֽהוּ But He would feed him (Israel)
מֵחֵֽלֶב חִטָּה from the cream of the wheat,
וּמִצּוּר and from the rock,
דְּבַשׁ אַשְׂבִּיעֶֽךָּ: I would sate you with honey.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
On Friday:
הַיּוֹם יוֹם שִׁשִּׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת Today is the sixth day of the week,
שֶׁבּוֹ הָיוּ הַלְ֒וִיִּם אוֹמְ֒רִים on which the Levites used to recite
בְּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ: in the Holy Temple:
יְהֹוָה מָלָךְ Adonoy has begun His reign,28On the sixth day, the Levites sang Psalm 93, “Adonoy has begun his reign, with majesty He has clothed Himself,” because He completed the work of creation and reigned over all His creatures.—Maseches Rosh Hashana 31a
גֵּאוּת לָבֵשׁ with majesty He has clothed Himself;
לָבֵשׁ יְהֹוָה Adonoy clothed Himself,
עֹז הִתְאַזָּר with strength He has girded Himself;
אַף תִּכּוֹן תֵּבֵל He has firmly established the world,
בַּל תִּמּוֹט: so that it cannot be moved.
נָכוֹן כִּסְאֲךָ מֵאָז Your throne stands firm from of old,
מֵעוֹלָם אָֽתָּה: You are from eternity.
נָשְׂ֒אוּ נְהָרוֹת יְהֹוָה The rivers have raised—Adonoy—
נָשְׂ֒אוּ נְהָרוֹת קוֹלָם the rivers have raised their voice,
יִשְׂ֒אוּ נְהָרוֹת דָּכְיָם: the rivers raise their raging waves.
מִקֹּלוֹת מַֽיִם רַבִּים More than the roar of many waters,
אַדִּירִים מִשְׁבְּ֒רֵי יָם mightier than the breakers of the sea,
אַדִּיר בַּמָּרוֹם יְהֹוָה: mighty on high are You "Adonoy."
עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ נֶאֶמְ֒נוּ מְאֹד Your testimonies are extremely faithful;
לְבֵיתְ֒ךָ נָאֲוָה קֹֽדֶשׁ holiness is becoming to Your House,
יְהֹוָה לְאֹֽרֶךְ יָמִים: Adonoy,—for the length of days.
(Deliver us...; Mourner's Kaddish.)
הוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ Deliver us, God of our deliverance;
וְקַבְּצֵנוּ מִן הַגּוֹיִם gather us and save us from the nations
לְהוֹדוֹת לְשֵׁם קָדְשֶֽׁךָ to give thanks to Your holy Name,
לְהִשְׁתַּבֵּֽחַ בִּתְהִלָּתֶֽךָ: to be extolled in Your praise.
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל Blessed is Adonoy, the God of Israel
מִן־הָעוֹלָם וְעַד הָעֹלָם for all eternity,
וְאָמַר כָל־הָעָם אָמֵן and all the people said: "Amen"
הַלְ֒לוּיָה. Praise God.
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה מִצִּיּוֹן Blessed is Adonoy from Zion,
שֹׁכֵן יְרוּשָׁלָֽיִם Who dwells in Jerusalem.
הַלְ֒לוּיָהּ: Praise God.
בְּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים Blessed is Adonoy, God,
אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל God of Israel
עֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת לְבַדּוֹ: Who alone performs wonders.
וּבָרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹדוֹ לְעוֹלָם And blessed is the Name of His glory forever,
וְיִמָּלֵא כְבוֹדוֹ אֶת־כָּל־הָאָרֶץ and may His glory fill the whole earth.
אָמֵן וְאָמֵן: Amen and Amen!