El Adon - Anonymous

About the PiyutOne of the most ancient poems known to us, which is assumed to have been written between the 2nd and 4th century in Israel. Like other ancient poems it does not rhyme and its structure resembles closely that of certain psalms. It contains an alphabetical acrostic with two letters of the aleph-bet in each stanza. The poem revolves around the description of the creator exulted by all creation but most specifically by the heavenly bodies - the sun and the moon - and the heavenly creatures - angels, seraphim, cherubim, etc. It is located in the first blessing before the Shabbat morning Shma, naturally continuing the theme of the opening prayer of the Shma section: Blessed are You God, our Lord, Master of the universe, who created light and crafted darkness, made peace and fashioned all things.it to a higher spiritual level.

Hebrew TextEl adon al kol ha-maasim / Baruch u-mvorach bfi kol ha-nshama

Godlo v-tuvo maleh olam / Daat u-tvuna sovvim hodo

Ha-mitgaeh al chayot ha-kodesh / Vnehedar bchavod al hamerkava

Zchut u-mishor lifnei chiso / Chesed v-rachamim maleh kvodo

Tovim morot shebaram Elokeinu / Yatzram bdaat bvina u-vhaskel

Koach u-gvura natan bahem / Lihiyot moshlim b-kerev tevel

Mleim ziv u-mfikim noga / Naeh zivam b-chol ha-olam

Smechim btzetam sasim bvoam / Osim b-eyma rtzon konam

Per vchavod notnim lishmo / tzahala v-rina l-zecher malchuto

Kara lashemesh vayizrach or / Raa vhitkin tzurat ha-lvana

Shevach notnim lo kol tzva marom / Tiferet u-gdula serafim v-chayot v-ofanei ha-kodesh

English TranslationGod master of all creationsBlessed and praised by every soulHis greatness and goodness fill the universeKnowledge and wisdom surround HimHe is exalted above the celestial beingsAnd adorned in honor above the chariotVirtue and honesty stand before His throneGrace and Mercy are abundant in HimGood are the luminaries created by our GodCrafted with knowledge, wisdom, and insightStrength and might He placed in themto reign over the universeFull of brilliance they radiate brightnessBeautiful is their brilliance throughout the worldThey rejoice in their rising and delight in their setting Performing with reverence the will of their CreatorGlory and honor do they give to His nameRevelry and song for His MajestyHe called forth the sun and it shone lightHe saw fit to regulate the form of the moonAll the hosts of heaven gave Him praiseSerafim, Ophanim, and Celestial Beingsattribute magnificence and greatness

Recording by the Piyut North America ensemble