Ma Tovu - The Prayer Upon Entering the Synagogue
Read this prayer below, or listen to this youtube audio. Courtesy of: Beit Hallel Congregation in Roswell, GA.
This prayer is a combination of Scripture with excerpts from Numbers 24, Psalm 5, Psalm 26, and Psalm 69. The Jewish sages connected the term "tents" to the synagogue, and "dwelling places" to the indwelling of the divine presence in the Temple. This is why this prayer is traditionally recited upon entering the synagogue, almost as if one were asking God for permission to enter and pray in His holy place.
At Roeh Israel, we recite this powerful prayer together as a congregation to open our prayer service, right after the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13).
Transliteration of Ma Tovu:
Ma tovu ohalecha Ya'akov, mishkenotecha Yisra'el.
Va'ani berov chasdecha avo veitecha,
Eshtachaveh el heichal kodshecha beyir'atecha.
Adonai, ahavti me'on beitecha
Umekom mishkan kevodecha.
Va'ani eshtachaveh ve'echra'ah,
Evrachah lifnei Adonai osi.
Va'ani tefilati lecha Adonai, et ratzon—
Elohim, berov chasdecha, aneni be'emet yish'echa.
Ma Tovu Prayer in Hebrew:
מַה טּוֹבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ יַעֲקֹב מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל
וַאֲנִי בְּרֹב חַסְדְּךָ אָבוֹא בֵיתֶךָ
אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה אֶל הֵיכַל קָדְשְׁךָ בְּיִרְאָתֶךָ
ה' אָהַבְתִּי מְעוֹן בֵּיתֶךָ
וּמְקוֹם מִשְׁכַּן כְּבוֹדֶךָ
וַאֲנִי אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה וְאֶכְרָעָה
אֶבְרְכָה לִפְנֵי ה' עֹשִׂי
וַאֲנִי תְפִלָתִי לְךָ ה' עֵת רָצון
אֱלֹהִים בְּרָב חַסְדֶּךָ עֲנֵנִי בֶּאֱמֶת יִשְׁעֶךָ
Translation of Ma Tovu:
How good are your tents, O Jacob,
Your dwelling places, O Israel.
In the abundance of Your lovingkindness,
I will enter Your house;
I will bow down toward Your holy temple
In awe of You.
O Lord, I love the dwelling of Your house,
The place where Your glory resides.
I will bow and bend the knee,
I will kneel down before the Lord, my Maker.
As for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord,
At a favorable time— O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness,
Answer me with the truth of Your salvation.
Ma Tovu Prayer Printout
Click on the link to download a printable PDF of this prayer: Ma Tovu -- The Prayer Upon Entering the Synagogue - NEW
