Modeh Ani - I Give Thanks - The Traditional Jewish Prayer Recited Immediately Upon Waking - Expressing Gratitude to God For The Return of One's Soul
Hebrew
מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ חַי וְקַיָּם,
שֶׁהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְּחֶמְלָה,
רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ.
(Women traditionally say "מוֹדָה אֲנִי" — Modah Ani.)
Transliteration
Modeh Ani lefanecha Melech chai v'kayam,
shehechezarta bi nishmati b'chemlah,
rabbah emunatecha.
(For women: Modah Ani lefanecha...)
English Translation
I give thanks before You, Living and Eternal King,
for You have mercifully restored my soul within me;
great is Your faithfulness.
Alternative, More Literal Translation
I gratefully acknowledge You,
Living and Enduring King,
for You have returned my soul to me with compassion;
abundant is Your faithfulness.
This short prayer is traditionally the first thing said upon awakening, even before washing one's hands, because it contains no explicit Divine Name and is simply an expression of gratitude for the gift of a new day.
