Jewish services that was written by a non-Jew. The remainder of the text is derived from passages in Psalms relating to entering the house of worship and preparation for further prayer (Psalms 5:8; 26:8; 95:6; and 69:14). In this vein is the prayer recited by Jews upon entering the synagogue; in the Western Ashkenzic rite, it is usually sung before beginning Maariv
on Festivals, especially the second night of Yom Tov.
Text
Hebrew
מַה טֹּבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, יַעֲקֹב; מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶיךָ, יִשְׂרָאֵל
ואני ברב חסדך, אבוא ביתך
אשתחווה אל היכל קדשך, ביראתך
ה' אהבתי מעון ביתך ומקום משכן כבודך
ואני אשתחווה ואכרעה אברכה לפני ה' עשי
ואני תפילתי לך ה' את רצון
אלוקים ברב חסדך ענני באמת ישעך
How lovely are your tents, O Jacob; your encampments, O Israel!
As for me, through Your abundant grace,
I enter your house to worship with awe in Your sacred place.
O Lord, I love the House where you dwell, and the place where your glory tabernacles.
I shall prostrate myself and bow; I shall kneel before the Lord my Maker.
To You, Eternal One, goes my prayer: may this be a time of your favor.
In Your abundant love, O God, answer me with the Truth of Your salvation.
Musical settings
In modern times various composers have developed musical settings for Ma Tovu including: