Adon Olam--אֲדוֹן עוֹלָם (“Lord of the Universe”) is a Hebrew hymn chanted in synagogues around the world. It tells of G‑d’s unity, how He existed before He created the world, and how He will continue to rule after the world ceases to exist. It also speaks of how G‑d is our personal refuge, who supports us in difficult times and how with Him, we need not fear.

Hebrew Text and English Translation

Lord of the universe, who reigned before everything as created, at the time when by His will all things were made, then was His name proclaimed King, and after all things shall cease to be, the Awesome One Will reign alone. He was, he is and He shall be in glory. He is One and there is no other to compare to Him, to consort with Him. Without beginning without end, power and dominion belong to Him. He is My G‑d and my ever-living redeemer. The strength of my lot in time of distress. He is my banner and my refuge, my portion on the day I call. Into His hand I entrust my spirit, when I sleep and when I awake. With my soul, my body too, the L-rd is with me, I shall not fear.

אֲדוֹן עוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ, בְּטֶרֶם כָּל יְצוּר נִבְרָא. לְעֵת נַעֲשָׂה בְחֶפְצוֹ כֹּל, אֲזַי מֶלֶךְ שְׁמוֹ נִקְרָא. וְאַחֲרֵי כִּכְלוֹת הַכֹּל, לְבַדּוֹ יִמְלוֹךְ נוֹרָא. וְהוּא הָיָה, וְהוּא הֹוֶה, וְהוּא יִהְיֶה, בְּתִפְאָרָה. וְהוּא אֶחָד וְאֵין שֵׁנִי, לְהַמְשִׁיל לוֹ לְהַחְבִּירָה. בְּלִי רֵאשִׁית בְּלִי תַכְלִית, וְלוֹ הָעֹז וְהַמִּשְׂרָה. וְהוּא אֵלִי וְחַי גֹּאֲלִי, וְצוּר חֶבְלִי בְּעֵת צָרָה. וְהוּא נִסִּי וּמָנוֹס לִי, מְנָת כּוֹסִי בְּיוֹם אֶקְרָא. בְּיָדוֹ אַפְקִיד רוּחִי, בְּעֵת אִישַׁן וְאָעִירָה. וְעִם רוּחִי גְּוִיָּתִי, יְיָ לִי וְלֹא אִירָא.

Transliteration

Ah-dohn oh-lahm ah-shehr mah-lakh bi-teh-rehm kohl yi-tzoor neev-rah. Layt nah-ah-sah-ׂh vi-khehf-tzoh kohl ah-zai meh-lekh shmoh neek-rah. Vah-khah-ray kee-khloht hah-kohl li-vah-doh yeem-lokh noh-rah. vi-hoo hah-yah vi-hoo hoh-veh vi-hoo yeeh-yeh bi-tee-fah-rah. Vi-hoo eh-khahd vi-ayn shay-nee li-hahm-sheel loh li-hah-khbee-rah. Bi-lee ray-sheet bi-lee tah-khleet vi-loh hah-ohz vi-hah-mee-srah. Vi-hoo ay-lee vi-khai goh-ah-lee vi-tzoor khehv-lee bayt tzah-rah. Vi-hoo nee-see oo-mah-nohs lee mi-naht koh-see bi-yohm ehk-rah. Bi-yah-doh ahf-keed roo-khee bayt ee-shahn vah-ee-rah. Veem roo-khee gi-vee-ah-tee ah-doh-noi lee vi-loh ee-rah.