The first stanza, below, thanks God for deliverance from our oppressors. The next three stanzas tell the story of the exodus from Egypt and the liberation from Babylonia, Persia, and Syria. The fifth verse recounts the story of Hanukkah.

Stanza 1: Transliteration

Ma'oz tsur yeshu'ati

lecha na'eh leshabeakh.

Tikon beit tefilati

vesham todah nezaveakh.

Le'et tachin matbeakh

mitsar hamnabeakh,

'az 'egmor beshir mizmor

khanukat hamizbeakh.

Stanza 1: Popular English Translation (Rock of Ages)

Rock of ages, let our song

Praise Your saving power;

You, amid the raging foes,

Were our sheltering tower.

Furious they assailed us,

But Your arm availed us,

And Your word,

Broke their sword,

When our own strength failed us.

Stanza 1: Literal Translation

O mighty stronghold of my salvation,

to praise You is a delight.

Restore my House of Prayer and there

we will bring a thanksgiving offering.

When You will have prepared the

slaughter for the blaspheming foe,

Then I shall complete with a song of hymn

the dedication of the Altar.