Ma Tovu

Ma Tovu (Hebrew for "O How Good" or "How Goodly") is a prayer in Judaism, expressing reverence and awe for synagogues and other places of worship.

The prayer is derived from Numbers 24:5, where Balaam, sent to curse the Israelites, is instead overcome with awe at God and the Israelites' houses of worship. Its first line of praise is a quote of Balaam's blessing and is thus the only prayer commonly used in 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. In this vein is the prayer recited by Jews upon entering the synagogue.

Hebrew Text

מה טבו אהליך יעקב, משכנותיך ישראל. [1]
ואני ברב חסדך אבוא ביתך אשתחוה אל היכל קדשך ביראתך. [2]
יהוה אהבתי מעון ביתך, ומקום משכן כבודך. [3]
ואני אשתחוה ואכרעה, אברכה לפני ה׳ עשי. [4]
ואני, תפלתי לך ה׳, עת רצון, אלהים ברב חסדך, ענני באמת ישעך. [5]

Transliteration

Ma tovu ohalekha ya'akov. Mishk'notekha yisrael.
Va'ani b'rov hasd'kha, avo veytekha,
Eshtahaveh el heikhal kodsh'kha b'yiratekha.
Adonai ahavti m'on beitekha. Um'kom mishkan k'vodekha.
Va'ani eshtahave v'ekhraa.
Evr'kha lifnei Adonai osi.
Va'ani t'filati l'kha Adonai eit ratzon.
Elohim b'rov hasdekha aneyni b'emet yishekha.

English translation

Edited from JPS Tanach 1917 Edition

How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings, O Israel!
But as for me, in the abundance of Thy lovingkindness will I come into Thy house; I will bow down toward Thy holy temple in the fear of Thee.
LORD, I love the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth.
And I shall bow down and bend the knee; I will kneel before the LORD my Maker.
But as for me, let my prayer be unto Thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time; O God, in the abundance of Thy mercy, answer me with the truth of Thy salvation.