Machzor Rosh Hashanah Ashkenaz, The Morning Prayers, Ma Tovu

The following verses from Scriptures are recited upon entering the synagogue, as though asking permission of God to enter and pray in His Holy place.

מַה טֹּֽבוּ אֹהָלֶֽיךָ יַעֲקֹב מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶֽיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל: וַאֲנִי בְּרֹב חַסְדְּךָ אָבוֹא בֵיתֶֽךָ אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה אֶל הֵיכַל־קָדְשְׁךָ בְּיִרְאָתֶֽךָ: יְהֹוָה אָהַֽבְתִּי מְעוֹן בֵּיתֶֽךָ וּמְקוֹם מִשְׁכַּן כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ: וַאֲנִי אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה וְאֶכְרָֽעָה אֶבְרְכָה לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה עֹשִׂי: וַאֲנִי תְפִלָּתִי־לְךָ יְהֹוָה עֵת רָצוֹן אֱלֹהִים בְּרָב־חַסְדֶּֽךָ עֲנֵֽנִי בֶּאֱמֶת יִשְׁעֶֽךָ: How good are your tents, Yaakov: your dwelling places, Yisrael.⁴Bamidbar 24:5. The Talmud (Maseches Sanhedrin 105a) relates that this verse contains Bilam’s prophetic allusion to Jewish houses of study and worship. As for me, through Your abundant kindness I will enter Your House; I will prostrate myself toward Your Holy Sanctuary in awe of You.⁵Tehillim 5:8. Adonoy, I love the Dwelling, Your House, and the place where Your glory resides.⁶Tehillim 26:8. I will prostrate myself,⁷These are three distinct degrees of worship, representing various levels of subjugation before Hashem. and bow,⁷These are three distinct degrees of worship, representing various levels of subjugation before Hashem. I will kneel⁷These are three distinct degrees of worship, representing various levels of subjugation before Hashem. before Adonoy, my Maker. May my prayer to You Adonoy be at a favorable time; God, in the abundance of Your kindness answer me with the truth of Your deliverance.⁸Tehillim 69:14.