Hine Ma Tov
Hine (or Hinay or Hinei) Ma Tov (Hebrew: הִנֵּה מַה טוֹב) is a Jewish hymn traditionally sung at Shabbat feasts.
Origins
Its lyrics are from the first verse of Psalm 133, which is translated by the JPS Tanakh as "How good and how pleasant it is that brothers dwell together."[1]
Lyrics and transliteration
English translation | Transliteration | Hebrew |
---|---|---|
Behold how good and how pleasing | Hinneh mah tov umah na'im | הִנֵּה מַה טוֹב וּמַה נָּעִים |
For brothers (people) to sit together in unity (In Hebrew the masculine includes the feminine when a mixed group of people are concerned.) | Shevet achim gam yachad | שֶׁבֶת אָחִים גַּם יַחַד |
Popularity
Hine Ma Tov continues to be a popular hymn for several Israeli folk dances and is a common song sung by school children and Jewish and Israeli scouting groups. It has been recorded by artists as diverse as Theodore Bikel, The Weavers, Dalida, Meir Finkelstein, Ishtar, the Miami Boys Choir, Joshua Aaron, the Abayudaya of Uganda and the dub group Adonai and I. Harry Belafonte recorded a version on his 1960 album, Belafonte Returns to Carnegie Hall. '60s rock band Spirit recorded an original adaptation for their second studio album, The Family That Plays Together, simply titled "Jewish."
The lyrics of Hine Ma Tov, when translated into English, form the basis for several songs in contemporary Christian music, as well as in various hymnals.[2][3]
Version by the Miami Boys Choir
One version Hine Ma Tov was arranged by Yerachmiel Begun, the director of the Miami Boys Choir. Silvio Berlfein choreographed the dance.[4]
In popular entertainment
In the 1977 television film Raid on Entebbe, Yonathan Netanyahu and Sammy Berg lead the Israeli commandos in singing the refrain while the commandos' plane is en route to rescue the hostages. It is also played during the closing credits. The song also features in the 1990 film Europa Europa where the lyrics are translated as "How sweet it is to be sitting, surrounded by all of your brothers".[5]
References
- ^ Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, Jewish Publication Society of America, 1985, JPS.org and at Sefaria.org http://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.133?ven=Tanakh:_The_Holy_Scriptures,_published_by_JPS
- ^ Schieve, Catherine (2 January 2019). "Trekking with Hine Ma Tov". Exploring Liturgy. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- ^ Watts, Isaac (1851). Melancthon Worcestor, Samuel (ed.). The Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts: To which are added, select hymns, from other authors; and directions for musical expression. Crocker & Brewster. p. 260. ISBN 9780528995781.
- ^ Tucker, Loui; Uggla, Joyce (2008). "Hineh Ma Tov" (PDF). Folk Dance Federation of California, Inc. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- ^ "Raid on Entebbe - Full Movie HQ (1977)". youtube.com. 13 October 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
External links
- Several tunes for Hine Ma Tov.
- v
- t
- e
- Psalm 6: Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn (Not in Anger, Mighty God)
- Psalm 12 (11): Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein (O Lord, Look Down from Heaven, Behold)
- Psalm 14 (13): Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl (The Mouth of Fools Doth God Confess)
- Psalm 19 (18): Dein Lob, Herr, ruft der Himmel aus
- Psalm 23 (22): The King of Love My Shepherd Is, The Lord's my Shepherd
- Psalm 31 (30): In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr
- Psalm 36 (35): Herr, deine Güt ist unbegrenzt
- Psalm 39 (38): Lord, let me know mine end
- Psalm 45 (44): Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How Lovely Shines the Morning Star)
- Psalm 46 (45): A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott)
- Psalm 67 (66): Es woll uns Gott genädig sein (May God Bestow on Us His Grace)
- Psalm 90 (89): Our God, Our Help in Ages Past
- Psalm 98 (97): Nun singt ein neues Lied dem Herren
- Psalm 100 (99): All People that on Earth do Dwell – Nun jauchzt dem Herren, alle Welt
- Psalm 103 (102): Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
- Psalm 124 (123): Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit (If God Had Not Been on Our Side) – Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält
- Psalm 130 (129): Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee)
- Psalm 133 (132): Hine Ma Tov
- Psalm 136 (135): Let us with a gladsome mind
- Psalm 137 (136): An Wasserflüssen Babylon (By the rivers of Babylon)
- Psalm 138 (137): Mein ganzes Herz erhebet dich
- Psalm 139 (138): Herr, dir ist nichts verborgen
- Psalm 146 (145): Du meine Seele singe
- Psalm 149: Singt dem Herrn ein neues Lied