Amidora

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Hodu

Ashkenaz · Weekday · Shacharit · Pesukei Dezimra · Hodu

Nusach
Ashkenaz
Edition
Translation based on the Metsudah linear siddur, by Avrohom Davis, 1981

Hodu

Give thanks to Adonoy, proclaim His Name; make His deeds known among the nations. Sing to Him, compose songs to Him, speak of all His wonders. Take pride in [uttering] His holy Name, let the heart rejoice of those who seek Adonoy. Search for Adonoy and His might, seek His presence continually. Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the laws from His mouth. [You,] the seed of Israel His servant, children of Jacob, 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 Abraham, and [which was] His oath to Isaac. He established it for Jacob as a statute, for Israel as an everlasting covenant. 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 kings for their sakes. Do not touch My anointed ones, and do not harm My prophets.” Sing to Adonoy all the earth, proclaim His deliverance from day to day. 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.

Make His Divine attributes (mercy, kindness, etc.) known to the world.—Siach Yitzchok

The Jew should be proud at being found worthy to utter God’s Name.—Siddur HaGra

Seeking God is an end in itself and provides joy to those who earnestly seek Him.—Siach Yitzchok

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

The entire section—the previous verses as well as the following verses—are addressed to the Jewish People, who are the seed of Israel, the chosen of God, who are asked to remember His wonders, miracles and laws.—Tzelosa d’Avrohom

This verse in following the preceding verse indicates that the original covenant which God made with Abraham was later confirmed to Isaac in an oath and then established for Jacob as a statute. After Jacob was given the name Israel, it became an everlasting covenant.—Tzelosa d’Avrohom

Both Pharaoh and Avimclcch were admonished for Abraham’s sake (Genesis 13:17; 20:3,7).

The Hebrew word משיחי 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

Siach Yitzchok maintains that this verse directs Jewry to sing to God in all the lands in which they are dispersed during their exile. Tzelosa d’Avrohom understands the verse to direct all the nations of the earth to sing to God.

a) We are to proclaim our deliverance by God even 7 day; b) We are to proclaim that our deliverance by God is a daily experience.—Tzelosa d’Avrohom

Beauty and splendor are before Him, 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. 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, 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.” Blessed is Adonoy, the God of Israel for all eternity, and all the people said: “Amein” and [they] praised Adonoy.” Exalt Adonoy, our God, and prostrate yourselves at His footstool. Holy is He! Exalt Adonoy, our God, and prostrate yourselves at His holy mountain, for Adonoy our God is holy.

The word הוד (beauty) indicates that which is itself beautiful, while הדר (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.—Siddur HaGra

Etz Yosef understands this as the “holy splendor” of God’s Sanctuary. Tzelosa d’Avrohom sees it as the splendor and joy of worship before God, as contrasted with secular, frivolous manifestations of beauty and splendor.

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 ואין כל־חדש תחת השמש (Koheles 1:9), it is said the earth will exult (gila); but the heavens will rejoice (simcha) because there is חידוש in the heavens.—Vilna Gaon

The fact that we are privileged to sing Your praises and cling to You will make us praiseworthy.—Etz Yosef

The Holy Temple.

Or Holy is it—i.e., the Temple.

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

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 truth always protect me. Remember Your mercies Adonoy and kindnesses, for they are from the beginning of the world. Give might to God, His pride (majesty) hovers over Israel, and His might is in the clouds. You are awesome, God, from Your Sanctuaries, Almighty of Israel—He grants might and power to the people; blessed is God. Almighty of vengeance, Adonoy, Almighty of vengeance, reveal Yourself. Arise, Judge of the earth! Repay the arrogant their just reward. Deliverance is Adonoy’s. Upon Your people is Your blessing. Selah. Adonoy of Hosts is with us, a stronghold for us is the God of Jacob. 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.

חסד (kindness) is the good God bestows without a promise, whereas אמת (truth) is the fulfillment of His promise.—Siach Yitzchok

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

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

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 ממקדשיך may also be read ממקדשיך, from Your holy people, indicating that God is especially demanding of the most adherent to the Torah. When this occurs, the world is filled with awe and fear of God.

These two verses (94:1-2) are an appeal to God during a time fraught with the sufferings of exile, when it seems as if God has forsaken His people. He is urged to reveal Himself as the Mighty champion of justice—S.R. Hirsch

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

Deliver Your people and bless Your inheritance, tend them and uplift them forever. 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 grant us Your deliverance. 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 Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 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.

Radak understands David to be asking God to raise the People of Israel above their enemies. Ibn Ezra says that God is being asked to act like a shepherd who brings his flock to high ground to save them from beasts of prey.

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

Request all that you desire and I will fulfill every request.—Ibn Ezra. The Jerusalem Talmud (Maseches Taanis 3:6) indicates that the more one requests God׳s providence—the “wider he opens his mouth”—the more he shows his belief in God’s ability to provide all of man’s needs.

The foremost level of man’s trust in God 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

Where it comes in the siddur

Texts and sources

Every prayer text in Amidora comes from openly licensed editions published on Sefaria. Only editions released under CC-BY, CC0 or the public domain are included.