Rashi explains kavod Shemo as kedushas Shemo. Thus, this tefillah is telling us to be prepared to sanctify and glorify Hashem’s Name. Hashem’s Name is repeated eighteen times in this psalm. As a result, Chazal were mesakein, decreed/included the eighteen/Shemoneh Esrei brachos. If we think about it, every b’rachah in Shemoneh Esrei is our pronouncement of a desire to be sanctified for Hashem’s Name. This gives us an opportunity for serious meditation. Flying through Shemoneh Esrei without acknowledging what each b’rachah represents and what it demands of us is indicative of our mindset before and during the recital of Shemoneh Esrei. Thus, when we begin with Baruch Atah Hashem, we should imagine that we are “sitting opposite” the Almighty and speaking to Him. We acknowledge our obligation to sanctify His Name and are prepared to do so, when called upon. This can be done by living a committed life: committed to Torah and mitzvos; and committed to sanctifying Hashem’s Name in our every endeavor.
