Adon Olam אדון עולם
Said at the start of the morning prayers; in many communities it is also sung at the end of Shabbat and festival services.
What it means
A hymn about God's eternal kingship – before creation and after everything ends – His oneness, and personal trust: into His hand I entrust my spirit, God is with me and I shall not fear.
Summary (our own explanation, not a translation)
Notes
- Its author is unknown; it is often attributed to Rabbi Shlomo ibn Gabirol (11th century).
- Many say it at bedtime because of the line “In His hand I entrust my spirit”.
Hebrew text
אֲדון עולָם אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ. בְּטֶרֶם כָּל יְצִיר נִבְרָא:
לְעֵת נַעֲשה בְחֶפְצו כּל. אֲזַי מֶלֶךְ שְׁמו נִקְרָא:
וְאַחֲרֵי כִּכְלות הַכּל. לְבַדּו יִמְלךְ נורָא:
וְהוּא הָיָה. וְהוּא הוֶה. וְהוּא יִהְיֶה בְּתִפְאָרָה:
וְהוּא אֶחָד וְאֵין שֵׁנִי. לְהַמְשִׁיל לו לְהַחְבִּירָה:
בְּלִי רֵאשִׁית בְּלִי תַכְלִית. וְלו הָעז וְהַמִּשרָה:
וְהוּא אֵלִי וְחַי גואֲלִי. וְצוּר חֶבְלִי בְּעֵת צָרָה:
וְהוּא נִסִּי וּמָנוס לִי. מְנָת כּוסִי בְּיום אֶקְרָא:
בְּיָדו אַפְקִיד רוּחִי. בְּעֵת אִישָׁן וְאָעִירָה:
וְעִם רוּחִי גְּוִיָּתִי. ה' לִי וְלא אִירָא:
Transliteration (Sephardic pronunciation)
Generated automatically from the vocalized Hebrew (Sephardic / modern Israeli pronunciation); it is an aid to reading and may differ slightly from your community's pronunciation.
Adon olam asher malach. Beterem kol yetzir nivra.
Le'et na'ash vecheftzo kl. Azai melech shemo nikra.
Ve'acharei kichlot hakl. Levado yimlch nora.
Vehu haya. Vehu hve. Vehu yihye betifara.
Vehu echad ve'ein sheni. Lehamshil lo lehachbira.
Beli reshit beli tachlit. Velo haz vehamishra.
Vehu eli vechai go'ali. Vetzur chevli be'et tzara.
Vehu nisi umanos li. Menat kosi beyvm ekra.
Beyado afkid ruchi. Be'et ishan ve'a'ira.
Ve'im ruchi geviyati. Li vel ira.
English translation
The king of the world, who ruled before any creature was created.
At the time they were made, all was according to His will, and then His name was called "King".
And after everything was finished, he alone ruled, awe-inspiring.
He was, He is, and He will be with splendor.
And, he was first, with no second, to rule over him or to collaborate;
with no beginning and no end, he has the strength and the right.
And he is my G-d, my redeemer is alive; the rock who sustains me in a distressful day.
And he is my banner and refuge, the portion of my cup on the day I call out.
In his hand, I safeguard my spirit, [for] when I sleep, [I know that] I will wake.
And with my spirit is my body; G-d is for me, and I will not be afraid.
Frequently asked questions
- Who wrote Adon Olam?
- It is not known for certain; it is often attributed to Shlomo ibn Gabirol.
- Why is it said in the morning?
- Its theme of God's eternal reign prepares for the morning service.
- Are there different versions?
- Sephardi versions have a few extra lines compared with Ashkenazi ones; the text shown is from Siddur Ashkenaz.
Sources and licences
- Hebrew text: סידור נוסח אשכנז, מהדורת דעת (Daat Siddur Ashkenaz), כפי שהועלה לספריא (Sefaria) – נחלת הכלל (Public Domain).
- Translation: Siddur Ashkenaz – Sefaria Community Translation – CC0.
- Transliteration: generated automatically by this site.
- Introduction, notes, summary and FAQ: original text of this site.
This prayer on our Hebrew site · All prayers
For learning and general information only. Customs differ between communities; for halachic questions ask your rabbi.