Rav S.R. Hirsch writes that the six concluding chapters of the Book of Psalms are the most important gift of Dovid's Divinely-inspired hymns that Yisrael treasures so greatly. These six psalms, 145-150, are an essential component of our daily prayers. Our Sages attach much significance to Psalm 145 in particular, and stated: “Whoever recites ‘A praise by Dovid' three times a day is assuredly worthy of a share in the world to come” (Maseches Berachos 4b). When recited in prayer, this psalm is always introduced with two verses from other Psalms (84:5 and 144:15). These verses contain the word fortunate three times, an allusion to this psalm being recited three times a day. These verses are so closely identified with Psalm 145 that it is commonly referred to as Ashrei (Fortunate).
אַשְׁרֵי יוֹשְׁבֵי בֵיתֶֽךָ עוֹד יְהַלְלֽוּךָ סֶּֽלָה: אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁכָּֽכָה לּוֹ אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁיְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָיו: תְּהִלָּה לְדָוִד אֲרוֹמִמְךָ אֱלוֹהַי הַמֶּֽלֶךְ וַאֲבָרְכָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: בְּכָל־יוֹם אֲבָרְכֶֽךָּ וַאֲהַלְלָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: גָּדוֹל יְהֹוָה וּמְהֻלָּל מְאֹד וְלִגְדֻלָּתוֹ אֵין חֵֽקֶר: דּוֹר לְדוֹר יְשַׁבַּח מַעֲשֶׂיךָ וּגְבוּרֹתֶֽיךָ יַגִּֽידוּ: הֲדַר כְּבוֹד הוֹדֶֽךָ וְדִבְרֵי נִפְלְאֹתֶֽיךָ אָשִֽׂיחָה: וֶעֱזוּז נוֹרְאֹתֶֽיךָ יֹאמֵרוּ וּגְדֻלָּתְךָ אֲסַפְּרֶֽנָּה: זֵֽכֶר רַב־טוּבְךָ יַבִּֽיעוּ וְצִדְקָתְךָ יְרַנֵּֽנוּ: חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם יְהֹוָה אֶֽרֶךְ אַפַּֽיִם וּגְדָל־חָֽסֶד: טוֹב־יְהֹוָה לַכֹּל וְרַחֲמָיו עַל־כָּל־מַעֲשָׂיו: יוֹדֽוּךָ יְהֹוָה כָּל־מַעֲשֶֽׂיךָ וַחֲסִידֶֽיךָ יְבָרְכֽוּכָה: כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתְךָ יֹאמֵרוּ וּגְבוּרָתְךָ יְדַבֵּֽרוּ: לְהוֹדִֽיעַ לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם גְּבוּרֹתָיו וּכְבוֹד הֲדַר מַלְכוּתוֹ: מַלְכוּתְךָ מַלְכוּת כָּל־עֹלָמִים וּמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָ בְּכָל־דּוֹר וָדֹר: סוֹמֵךְ יְהֹוָה לְכָל־הַנֹּפְלִים וְזוֹקֵף לְכָל־הַכְּפוּפִים: עֵינֵי־כֹל אֵלֶֽיךָ יְשַׂבֵּֽרוּ וְאַתָּה נוֹתֵן־לָהֶם אֶת־אָכְלָם בְּעִתּוֹ: פּוֹתֵֽחַ אֶת־יָדֶֽךָ וּמַשְׂבִּֽיעַ לְכָל־חַי רָצוֹן: צַדִּיק יְהֹוָה בְּכָל־דְּרָכָיו וְחָסִיד בְּכָל־מַעֲשָׂיו: קָרוֹב יְהֹוָה לְכָל־קֹרְאָיו לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָאֻֽהוּ בֶאֱמֶת: רְצוֹן־יְרֵאָיו יַעֲשֶׂה וְאֶת־שַׁוְעָתָם יִשְׁמַע וְיוֹשִׁיעֵם: שׁוֹמֵר יְהֹוָה אֶת־כָּל־אֹהֲבָיו וְאֵת כָּל־הָרְשָׁעִים יַשְׁמִיד: חזן: תְּהִלַּת יְהֹוָה יְדַבֶּר פִּי וִיבָרֵךְ כָּל־בָּשָׂר שֵׁם קָדְשׁוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד: וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ נְבָרֵךְ יָהּ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד־עוֹלָם הַלְלוּיָהּ: Fortunate are those who dwell in Your house;100This verse referred to the Kohanim and the Levites who served (dwelt) in the Holy Temple (Your House); it is at all times applicable to scholars and devout men who study and pray in houses of worship and study. may they continue to praise You, Selah.101Tehillim 84:5 Fortunate is the people whose lot is thus; fortunate is the people for whom Adonoy is their God.102Tehillim 144:15 A praise by Dovid! I will exalt You, my God, the King, and bless Your Name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You103According to Rav S.R. Hirsch, Dovid here declares, “I will dedicate myself to serve You and to fulfill Your will in loyal obedience,” for in serving Hashem, man causes His Name to be blessed. and extol Your Name forever and ever. Adonoy is great and highly extolled, and His greatness is unfathomable. One generation to another will praise Your works, and Your mighty acts they will declare. The splendor of Your glorious majesty, and the words104Not simply נִפְלְאתֶיךָ—a report of Your wonders—but דִבְרֵי נִפְלְאתֶיךָ the “words”—the lessons that Your wonders teach.—S.R. Hirsch of Your wonders I will speak. Of Your awesome might, they105People in general will speak of Hashem’s wondrous might in punishing the wicked (Sedom, Egypt, etc.) while Dovid will proclaim that Hashem’s greatness is measured more by His kindliness than by His awesomeness.—Siach Yitzchok will speak, and Your greatness I will recount. Mention of Your bountifulness they will express, and in Your righteousness joyfully exult. Adonoy is gracious and merciful,106He is gracious in bestowing reward and merciful in punishment.—Siach Yitzchok slow to anger and great in kindliness. Adonoy is good to all, His mercy encompasses all His works. All Your works will thank You, Adonoy, and Your pious ones will bless You.107Your works which are the cause of your being thanked by sensitive people; similarly, cause your pious ones to bless You.—based on S.R. Hirsch. Of the honor of Your Kingship, they will speak, and Your might they will declare. To reveal to men His mighty acts, and the glorious splendor of His Kingship. Your Kingship is the kingship for all times, and Your dominion is in every generation. Adonoy supports all the fallen, and straightens all the bent. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food at its proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living being. Adonoy is just in all His ways and benevolent in all His deeds.108The penalties for transgressions are just, but Hashem is gracious in the actual punishment inflicted on the sinner.—Siddur HaGra Adonoy is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.109He is near to all who call upon Him, but His nearness can be perceived only by those who call upon Him in truth, who truly mean to have Hashem enter into their lives.—S.R. Hirsch The will of those who fear Him, He fulfills; He hears their cry and delivers them.110While Hashem hears all who cry unto Him in truth, He answers those who fear Him, who subject their desires to His will.—Siach Yitzchok Adonoy watches over all those who love Him, and will destroy all the wicked. Praise of Adonoy, my mouth will declare and all flesh will bless His Holy Name forever and ever. And we will bless God from now forever. Praise God.111Tehillim 115:18. You should pause between עוֹלָם and הַלְלוּיָהּ. Similarly, in all the Tehillim, the word הַלְלוּיָהּ is not connected to the preceding verse.
This Psalm acclaims God's loving care as experienced by each Jew in his own life.
הַלְלוּיָהּ הַלְלִי נַפְשִׁי אֶת־יְהֹוָה: אֲהַלְלָה יְהֹוָה בְּחַיָּי אֲזַמְּרָה לֵאלֹהַי בְּעוֹדִי: אַל־תִּבְטְחוּ בִנְדִיבִים בְּבֶן־אָדָם שֶׁאֵין לוֹ תְשׁוּעָה: תֵּצֵא רוּחוֹ יָשֻׁב לְאַדְמָתוֹ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אָבְדוּ עֶשְׁתֹּנֹתָיו: אַשְׁרֵי שֶׁאֵל יַעֲקֹב בְּעֶזְרוֹ, שִׂבְרוֹ עַל־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָיו: עֹשֶׂה שָׁמַֽיִם וָאָֽרֶץ אֶת־הַיָּם וְאֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־בָּם, הַשֹּׁמֵר אֱמֶת לְעוֹלָם: עֹשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּט לַעֲשׁוּקִים נֹתֵן לֶֽחֶם לָרְעֵבִים יְהֹוָה מַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים: יְהֹוָה פֹּקֵֽחַ עִוְרִים יְהֹוָה זֹקֵף כְּפוּפִים יְהֹוָה אֹהֵב צַדִּיקִים: יְהֹוָה שֹׁמֵר אֶת־גֵּרִים יָתוֹם וְאַלְמָנָה יְעוֹדֵד וְדֶֽרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים יְעַוֵּת: חזן: יִמְלֹךְ יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם אֱלֹהַֽיִךְ צִיּוֹן לְדֹר וָדֹר הַלְלוּיָהּ: Praise God! My soul, praise Adonoy. I will praise Adonoy with my life; I will sing to my God as long as I live. Do not place your trust [even] in noble men,112According to the Sages, it is implied that one should not rely even on the merit of his sainted ancestors, the Patriarchs, for deliverance. in man who has no [power of] deliverance. [When] his spirit departs, he returns to his earth;113Only the four cubits of ground which will receive him one day are his; of all the world they are the one possession which is guaranteed to him.—S.R. Hirsch on that day his plans come to naught. Fortunate [is he] when the Almighty of Yaakov is his help,114Yaakov, more than anyone, sensed Hashem’s nearness and protection throughout his difficult life and through all the trials to which he was subjected.—S.R. Hirsch whose expectation is on Adonoy, his God. He makes heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; He keeps His promises faithfully forever.115He alone has always proven dependable and faithful, for there are no limits to His essence and to His power.—Ibn Ezra, Radak He performs justice for the oppressed; He gives bread to the hungry; Adonoy releases the imprisoned. Adonoy gives sight to the blind; Adonoy straightens the bent. Adonoy loves the righteous. Adonoy protects strangers; the orphan and widow He enables to stand firm; and the way of the wicked He thwarts. Adonoy will reign forever; your God, Tziyon, throughout all generations. Praise God.
In this Psalm, Dovid imparts the knowledge to sustain and uphold the Jewish People, during their bitter exile. He tells them of their special and enduring relationship with God and of their role as permanent messengers of the word of God to all mankind.
הַלְלוּיָהּ כִּי־טוֹב זַמְּרָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, כִּי־נָעִים נָאוָה תְהִלָּה: בּוֹנֵה יְרוּשָׁלַֽםִ יְהֹוָה נִדְחֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יְכַנֵּס: הָרוֹפֵא לִשְׁבֽוּרֵי לֵב וּמְחַבֵּשׁ לְעַצְּבוֹתָם: מוֹנֶה מִסְפָּר לַכּוֹכָבִים לְכֻלָּם שֵׁמוֹת יִקְרָא: גָּדוֹל אֲדוֹנֵֽינוּ וְרַב־כֹּֽחַ לִתְבוּנָתוֹ אֵין מִסְפָּר: מְעוֹדֵד עֲנָוִים יְהֹוָה מַשְׁפִּיל רְשָׁעִים עֲדֵי־אָֽרֶץ: עֱנוּ לַיהֹוָה בְּתוֹדָה זַמְּרוּ לֵאלֹהֵֽינוּ בְכִנּוֹר: הַמְכַסֶּה שָׁמַֽיִם בְּעָבִים הַמֵּכִין לָאָֽרֶץ מָטָר הַמַּצְמִֽיחַ הָרִים חָצִיר: נוֹתֵן לִבְהֵמָה לַחְמָהּ לִבְנֵי עֹרֵב אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָֽאוּ: לֹא בִגְבוּרַת הַסּוּס יֶחְפָּץ לֹא בְשׁוֹקֵי הָאִישׁ יִרְצֶה: רוֹצֶה יְהֹוָה אֶת־יְרֵאָיו אֶת־הַמְיַחֲלִים לְחַסְדּוֹ: שַׁבְּחִי יְרוּשָׁלַֽםִ אֶת יְהֹוָה הַלְלִי אֱלֹהַֽיִךְ צִיּוֹן: כִּי־חִזַּק בְּרִיחֵי שְׁעָרָֽיִךְ בֵּרַךְ בָּנַֽיִךְ בְּקִרְבֵּךְ: הַשָּׂם־גְּבוּלֵךְ שָׁלוֹם חֵֽלֶב חִטִּים יַשְׂבִּיעֵךְ: הַשֹּׁלֵֽחַ אִמְרָתוֹ אָֽרֶץ עַד־מְהֵרָה יָרוּץ דְּבָרוֹ: הַנֹּתֵן שֶֽׁלֶג כַּצָּֽמֶר כְּפוֹר כָּאֵֽפֶר יְפַזֵּר: מַשְׁלִיךְ קַרְחוֹ כְפִתִּים לִפְנֵי קָרָתוֹ מִי יַעֲמֹד: יִשְׁלַח דְּבָרוֹ וְיַמְסֵם יַשֵּׁב רוּחוֹ יִזְּלוּ־מָֽיִם: חזן: מַגִּיד דְּבָרָיו לְיַעֲקֹב חֻקָּיו וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו לְיִשְׂרָאֵל: לֹא עָֽשָׂה כֵן לְכָל־גּוֹי וּמִשְׁפָּטִים בַּל־יְדָעוּם הַלְלוּיָהּ: Praise God! for it is good to sing to our God; for [His] praise is pleasant, befitting. The builder of Yerushalayim is Adonoy; the banished ones of Yisrael He will gather. [He is] the Healer of the broken-hearted and [also] binds up their wounds.116Others render “their sorrows.” Both translations co-exist! Hashem not only heals their physical pains but also abbreviates their sorrows as well. He fixes the number of stars; He calls all of them by names.117Not one of the myriad stars was created accidentally; each has a unique purpose and function.—Siach Yitzchok Great is our Master and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond reckoning. Adonoy causes the humble to stand firm; He casts down the wicked to the ground. Cry out to Adonoy in thanksgiving; sing to our God with the harp.118Each musical instrument has its unique function. In the times of King Dovid, the harp was used to arouse those who slept. The psalmist may be indicating that the harp arouses the sleeping soul of man to recognition of the miraculous ways in which Hashem shows His Divine Providence for us every day.—Siach Yitzchok [He] Who covers the heaven with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth; Who causes grass to grow upon the hills. Who gives the animal its fodder; [also] to the young ravens which call. Not the power of the horse does He desire, nor the thighs of man does He want.119Hashem does not delight in those who place their trust in the strength of horses or in their own strength.—Tzelosa d’Avraham Adonoy wants those who fear Him, those who hope for His kindliness. Yerushalayim, praise Adonoy; Tziyon, extol your God.120The Psalmist addresses the dwellers in Yerushalayim and Tziyon, not the city itself. —Tzelosa d’Avraham For He has fortified the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children in your midst. He established peace at your border; with prime wheat He satisfies you. He dispatches His command earthward; His word races swiftly. He provides snow like fleece, He scatters frost like ashes. He hurls His ice like crumbs; who can withstand His cold? He dispatches His word and melts them; He blows His wind, they flow as water. He declares His word to Yaakov, His statutes and His laws to Yisrael.121Yisrael is the receiver and preserver of Hashem’s divine Law, the Torah, which includes chukim, statutes which confine the physical, sensual aspects of man within the bounds of moral purity, and also mishpotim, laws which govern communal life. Among the nations, law is determined by the views they hold at a given time and place concerning the needs of a society, and so their laws are based on expediency.—S.R. Hirsch He did not do so to any [other] nation; and of His laws they were not informed. Praise God.
In this psalm, Dovid sings of the moment when all the world will be imbued with the knowledge of God's all-embracing providence. All living creatures—from the infinite heights of heaven above (verses 1-7) down to the depths of the earth below (verses 7-12)—will join together in one great hymn of praise to their Creator, and acknowledge the uniqueness of Yisrael over all other nations.
הַלְלוּיָהּ הַלְלוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה מִן הַשָּׁמַֽיִם הַלְלֽוּהוּ בַּמְּרוֹמִים: הַלְלֽוּהוּ כָּל־מַלְאָכָיו הַלְלֽוּהוּ כָּל־צְבָאָיו: הַלְלֽוּהוּ שֶֽׁמֶשׁ וְיָרֵֽחַ הַלְלֽוּהוּ כָּל־כּֽוֹכְבֵי אוֹר: הַלְלֽוּהוּ שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמָֽיִם וְהַמַּֽיִם אֲשֶׁר מֵעַל הַשָּׁמָֽיִם: יְהַלְלוּ אֶת־שֵׁם יְהֹוָה כִּי הוּא צִוָּה וְנִבְרָֽאוּ: וַיַּעֲמִידֵם לָעַד לְעוֹלָם חָק־נָתַן וְלֹא יַעֲבוֹר: הַלְלוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה מִן־הָאָֽרֶץ תַּנִּינִים וְכָל־תְּהֹמוֹת: אֵשׁ וּבָרָד שֶֽׁלֶג וְקִיטוֹר רֽוּחַ סְעָרָה עֹשָׂה דְבָרוֹ: הֶהָרִים וְכָל־גְּבָעוֹת עֵץ פְּרִי וְכָל־אֲרָזִים: הַחַיָּה וְכָל־בְּהֵמָה רֶֽמֶשׂ וְצִפּוֹר כָּנָף: מַלְכֵי־אֶֽרֶץ וְכָל־לְאֻמִּים שָׂרִים וְכָל־שֹׁפְטֵי אָֽרֶץ: בַּחוּרִים וְגַם־בְּתוּלוֹת זְקֵנִים עִם־נְעָרִים: יְהַלְלוּ אֶת־שֵׁם יְהֹוָה כִּי־נִשְׂגָּב שְׁמוֹ לְבַדּוֹ הוֹדוֹ עַל־אֶֽרֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם: חזן: וַיָּֽרֶם קֶֽרֶן לְעַמּוֹ תְּהִלָּה לְכָל־חֲסִידָיו לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַם קְרֹבוֹ הַלְלוּיָהּ: Praise God. Praise Adonoy from the sky; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all the stars of light. Praise Him, skies of skies, and the waters that are above the skies.122Bereishis 1:6—7 indicates that there are waters above the heavens. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for He commanded it and they were created. He established them for all time,123The heavenly bodies, unlike humans and earthly things, were created from materials that do not deteriorate.—Kuzari for as long as the world exists; He decreed it and it is unalterable.124None of the heavenly bodies transgresses the Divine decree about its functions in the role for which it was created. The sun never violates its mandate to serve by day or the moon by night. According to Ibn Ezra, the verse might also be translated “He issued a decree which will not pass away,” for Hashem’s decree is permanent and immutable. Praise Adonoy from the earth, sea-monsters and all [that dwell in] the depths. Fire and hail, snow and vapor, stormwind, [all] fulfilling His word. The mountains and all the hills, fruit trees and all cedars. Wild beasts and all animals, creeping things and winged fowl. Earthly kings and all peoples, ministers and all earthly judges. Young men and also maidens, elders together with lads.125Elders and youngsters praise Hashem together while the young men must be separated from the maidens. In the Temple separate facilities were erected for the women. So too must there be separate seating in our synagogues. They will praise the Name of Adonoy, for His Name alone is exalted; His majesty is over the earth and the skies. He will raise the might of His people, [which is] praise for all His pious ones, for the Children of Yisrael, the people near126The fulfillment of the last two verses will take place in the Messianic era. to Him. Praise God.
This psalm continues the theme of the previous psalm.
הַלְלוּיָהּ שִֽׁירוּ לַיהֹוָה שִׁיר חָדָשׁ תְּהִלָּתוֹ בִּקְהַל חֲסִידִים: יִשְׂמַח יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּעֹשָׂיו בְּנֵי־צִיּוֹן יָגִֽילוּ בְמַלְכָּם: יְהַלְלוּ שְׁמוֹ בְמָחוֹל בְּתֹף וְכִנּוֹר יְזַמְּרוּ־לוֹ: כִּי־רוֹצֶה יְהֹוָה בְּעַמּוֹ יְפָאֵר עֲנָוִים בִּישׁוּעָה: יַעְלְזוּ חֲסִידִים בְּכָבוֹד יְרַנְנוּ עַל־מִשְׁכְּבוֹתָם: רוֹמְמוֹת אֵל בִּגְרוֹנָם וְחֶֽרֶב פִּיפִיּוֹת בְּיָדָם: לַעֲשׂוֹת נְקָמָה בַגּוֹיִם תּוֹכֵחוֹת בַּלְאֻמִּים: חזן: לֶאְסֹר מַלְכֵיהֶם בְּזִקִּים וְנִכְבְּדֵיהֶם בְּכַבְלֵי בַרְזֶל: לַעֲשׂוֹת בָּהֶם מִשְׁפָּט כָּתוּב הָדָר הוּא לְכָל־חֲסִידָיו הַלְלוּיָהּ: Praise God. Sing a new song to Adonoy,127The old songs will not suffice to express the joy at the wonders in the Messianic future.—Radak His praise in the assembly of the pious. Yisrael will rejoice in its Maker; the children of Tziyon will exult in their King.128Yisrael is the nation as a whole, the children of Tziyon are the elite of the people.—Seporno They will praise His Name with dance; with drum and harp they will make music to Him. Because Adonoy desires His people; He will adorn the humble with deliverance.129Although Hashem desires all His people, nevertheless, our ultimate salvation will come through the merit of His humble ones.—Rav Simcha Bunim of Pczyscha The pious will rejoice in honor; they will sing joyously upon their beds. High praises of the Almighty in their throats, and a double-edged sword in their hand.130One’s praise of Hashem emanating from deep within him (not mere lip service), becomes a two-edged sword, for it protects him against attack from his fellow men and it guards him from adversity in the approaching Divine judgment.—S.R. Hirsch To perform vengeance upon the nations, chastisement upon the peoples. To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with iron fetters. To execute upon them [the] written judgment; it131The Divine judgment itself is honor and recognition for those who commit their entire lives and efforts to Hashem.—S.R. Hirsch is the splendor of all His pious ones. Praise God.
This psalm recapitulates all the previous hymns and tells how God is revealed through His mighty deeds.
הַלְלוּיָהּ הַֽלְלוּ־אֵל בְּקָדְשׁוֹ הַלְלֽוּהוּ בִּרְקִֽיעַ עֻזּוֹ: הַלְלֽוּהוּ בִּגְבוּרֹתָיו הַלְלֽוּהוּ כְּרֹב גֻּדְלוֹ: הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּתֵֽקַע שׁוֹפָר הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּנֵֽבֶל וְכִנּוֹר: הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּתֹף וּמָחוֹל הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּמִנִּים וְעֻגָב: הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְצִלְצְלֵי־שָֽׁמַע הַלְלֽוּהוּ בְּצִלְצְלֵי תְרוּעָה: כֹּל הַנְּשָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּל יָהּ הַלְלוּיָהּ: חזן: כֹּל הַנְּשָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּל יָהּ הַלְלוּיָהּ: Praise God. Praise the Almighty in His Sanctuary132His “Sanctuary” refers to the world of angels who minister to Him as He appears on His throne.—Radak Praise God in the firmament of His might133The firmament of His might refers to the heavenly spheres through which Hashem reveals His mastery over the physical world.—Radak Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. Praise Him with the blowing of the shofar;134The shofar is the solemn instrument which awakens and calls us to Hashem.—S.R. Hirsch praise Him with lyre and harp.135Lyre and harp are instruments which express man’s meditation upon Hashem.—S.R. Hirsch Praise Him with drum and dance.136Drum and dance are public manifestations of exultation in Hashem.—S.R. Hirsch Praise Him with stringed instruments and flute.137Stringed instruments and the flute may serve to express the quieter rejoicing of an individual.—S.R. Hirsch Praise Him with resounding cymbals.138The cymbal is an instrument of extremely loud sound which may serve to call whole groups to attentive participation.—S.R. Hirsch Praise Him with clanging cymbals. Let every soul praise God. Praise God. Let every soul praise God. Praise God.139This verse is repeated to mark the end of the Tehillim included in the Pesukei Dezimrah.—Avudraham
The following selected verses from Psalms mark the close of the individual books of Psalms. Eitz Yosef notes that these verses may constitute a sort of blessing marking the close of the Pesukei Dezimrah.
בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם אָמֵן וְאָמֵן: בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה מִצִּיּוֹן שֹׁכֵן יְרוּשָׁלָֽםִ הַלְלוּיָהּ: בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עֹשֵׂה נִפְלָאוֹת לְבַדּוֹ: חזן: וּבָרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹדוֹ לְעוֹלָם וְיִמָּלֵא כְבוֹדוֹ אֶת־כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ אָמֵן וְאָמֵן: Blessed is Adonoy forever, Amein and Amein!140Tehillim 89:53. Hashem is the eternal source of blessing. We merely declare His blessedness, we do not bless Him. Blessed is Adonoy from Tziyon, Who dwells in Yerushalayim. Praise God.141Tehillim 135:21. Blessed is Adonoy, God, God of Yisrael Who alone performs wonders.142“Alone” means without intermediaries (Malbim); also without the beneficiary’s awareness (Gaon of Vilna). And blessed is the Name of His glory forever, and may His glory fill the whole earth. Amein and Amein!143Tehillim 72:18—19. This verse will be fulfilled in Messianic times when all men will be invested with a true awareness of Hashem’s majesty. The prophet (Yeshaya 11:9) foretells, “For (then) the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of Adonoy as the waters cover the sea.”—Radak
The custom of reciting the following additions to Pesukei Dezimrah is mentioned as early as the Gaonic era, specifically by Rav Amram Gaon. These verses were incorporated into our daily prayers because they speak so eloquently of God's majesty, and of the Divine providence which is the source of the power, riches, might, and honor of all human beings.
The first four verses (1 Chronicles 29:10-13) relate Dovid's blessing to God, when he presented the gold, silver, and jewels he amassed for the construction of the Holy Temple. It was a day of great rejoicing as, following Dovid's example, the leaders and princes also presented generous gifts for the construction of the Temple.
The following until after ישתבח should be said standing. (Some sit for Nishmas.)
וַיְבָֽרֶךְ דָּוִיד אֶת־יְהֹוָה לְעֵינֵי כָּל־הַקָּהָל וַיֹּֽאמֶר דָּוִיד בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָבִֽינוּ, מֵעוֹלָם וְעַד־עוֹלָם: לְךָ יְהֹוָה הַגְּדֻלָּה וְהַגְּבוּרָה וְהַתִּפְאֶֽרֶת וְהַנֵּֽצַח וְהַהוֹד כִּי־כֹל בַּשָּׁמַֽיִם וּבָאָֽרֶץ לְךָ יְהֹוָה הַמַּמְלָכָה וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂא לְכֹל לְרֹאשׁ: וְהָעֽשֶׁר וְהַכָּבוֹד מִלְּפָנֶֽיךָ וְאַתָּה מוֹשֵׁל בַּכֹּל, וּבְיָדְךָ כֹּֽחַ וּגְבוּרָה, וּבְיָדְךָ לְגַדֵּל וּלְחַזֵּק לַכֹּל: וְעַתָּה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מוֹדִים אֲנַֽחְנוּ לָךְ וּמְהַלְלִים לְשֵׁם תִּפְאַרְתֶּֽךָ: אַתָּה־הוּא יְהֹוָה לְבַדֶּֽךָ, אַתָּה עָשִֽׂיתָ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַֽיִם שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַֽיִם וְכָל־צְבָאָם, הָאָֽרֶץ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר עָלֶֽיהָ הַיַּמִּים וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר בָּהֶם, וְאַתָּה מְחַיֶּה אֶת־כֻּלָּם וּצְבָא הַשָּׁמַֽיִם לְךָ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים: חזן: אַתָּה הוּא יְהֹוָה הָאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר בָּחַֽרְתָּ בְּאַבְרָם וְהוֹצֵאתוֹ מֵאוּר כַּשְׂדִּים וְשַֽׂמְתָּ שְׁמוֹ אַבְרָהָם: וּמָצָֽאתָ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ נֶאֱמָן לְפָנֶֽיךָ And Dovid blessed Adonoy in the presence of all the assembly; and Dovid said, Blessed are You, Adonoy, God of Yisrael, our Father,144Dovid singles out Yaakov because he was the first Patriarch to mention building a house of Hashem (Bereishis 28:22), “Then shall this stone which I have set for a pillar be Hashem’s house.”—Radak forever and ever. Yours, Adonoy, is the greatness, the might, the glory the victory and the beauty,145Dovid thus renders unto Hashem the greatness Hashem has given him. His might in war, his victories in battle, and the majesty of his kingdom, are all due to Hashem’s providence.—Iyun T’filah for all that is in heaven and on earth [is Yours]; Yours, Adonoy, is the kingdom and You are uplifted, [supreme] over all rulers. The riches and the honor come from You, and You rule over all; in Your hand are power and might, and [it is] in Your hand to bestow greatness and strength upon all. And now, our God, we give thanks to You and praise Your glorious Name.146I Divrei Hayomim 29:10—13. You alone are Adonoy;147This is an affirmation of Hashem’s unity: “Adonoy is One.” You have made the skies, the skies of skies148This denotes the highest of the seven heavens. and all their hosts,149This signifies the sun, moon, and stars. the earth and all that is upon it, the seas and all that is in them; and You give life to all of them, and the heavenly hosts150These are the angelic beings that worship Adonoy. bow before You. You are Adonoy, the God Who chose Avrom, and brought him out of Ur Kasdim and established his name (as) Avraham.151This was not a mere changing of names. Avraham was elevated and attained new stature as a patriarch by virtue of his new name. And You found his heart faithful before You,152This was demonstrated when he was ready to sacrifice Yitzchok.
וְכָרוֹת עִמּוֹ הַבְּרִית לָתֵת אֶת־אֶֽרֶץ הַכְּנַעֲנִי הַחִתִּי הָאֱמֹרִי וְהַפְּרִזִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁי לָתֵת לְזַרְעוֹ וַתָּֽקֶם אֶת־דְּבָרֶֽיךָ כִּי צַדִּיק אָֽתָּה: וַתֵּֽרֶא אֶת־עֳנִי אֲבֹתֵֽינוּ בְּמִצְרָֽיִם וְאֶת־זַעֲקָתָם שָׁמַֽעְתָּ עַל־יַם־סוּף: וַתִּתֵּן אֹתֹת וּמֹפְתִים בְּפַרְעֹה וּבְכָל־עֲבָדָיו וּבְכָל־עַם אַרְצוֹ כִּי יָדַֽעְתָּ כִּי הֵזִֽידוּ עֲלֵיהֶם וַתַּֽעַשׂ־לְךָ שֵׁם כְּהַיּוֹם הַזֶּה: חזן: וְהַיָּם בָּקַֽעְתָּ לִפְנֵיהֶם וַיַּעַבְרוּ בְתוֹךְ־הַיָּם בַּיַּבָּשָׁה וְאֶת־רֹדְפֵיהֶם הִשְׁלַֽכְתָּ בִמְצוֹלֹת כְּמוֹ־אֶֽבֶן בְּמַֽיִם עַזִּים: and You made the covenant with him153In some congregations, וְכָרות is recited responsively on the day of a circumcision. Consequently, some siddurim indicate that a new paragraph begins here. But it is actually a continuation of the verse. to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizites, the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give to his seed; and You kept Your word, for You are righteous. And You saw the affliction of our fathers in Mitzrayim, and their cry You heard at the Sea of Reeds. And You imposed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for You knew that they acted malevolently against them;154Them, i.e., the Jews in Egypt. and (thus) You made a name for Yourself, like this day.155The miracles and wonders of the Exodus have not and will not be forgotten. Each generation reaffirms its testimony to Hashem’s might against the Egyptians and thus the event remains as vivid and real as though it occurred today. And the sea, You split before them, and they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their pursuers You hurled into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters.156Nechemiah 9:6—11