1 A Song of Ascents; of David. I rejoiced when they said unto me: ‘Let us go unto the house of Hashem.’
א שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת לְדָוִד שָׂמַחְתִּי בְּאֹמְרִים לִי בֵּית יְהוָה נֵלֵךְ.
2 Our feet are standing within thy gates, O Yerushalayim;
ב עֹמְדוֹת הָיוּ רַגְלֵינוּ בִּשְׁעָרַיִךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָם.
3 Yerushalayim, that art builded as a city that is compact together;
ג יְרוּשָׁלִַם הַבְּנוּיָה כְּעִיר שֶׁחֻבְּרָה לָּהּ יַחְדָּו.
4 Whither the tribes went up, even the tribes of Hashem, as a testimony unto Yisrael, to give thanks unto the name of Hashem.
ד שֶׁשָּׁם עָלוּ שְׁבָטִים שִׁבְטֵי יָהּ עֵדוּת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל לְהֹדוֹת לְשֵׁם יְהוָה.
5 For there were set thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
ה כִּי שָׁמָּה יָשְׁבוּ כִסְאוֹת לְמִשְׁפָּט כִּסְאוֹת לְבֵית דָּוִד.
6 Pray for the peace of Yerushalayim; may they prosper that love thee.
sha-a-LU sh’-LOM y’-ru-sha-LA-yim yish-LA-yu o-ha-VA-yikh
ו שַׁאֲלוּ שְׁלוֹם יְרוּשָׁלִָם יִשְׁלָיוּ אֹהֲבָיִךְ.
122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
The first Hebrew word many people learn is “shalom” (שלום), which has three meanings: hello, goodbye and peace. It is the word with which friends greet one another, but ‘shalom’ is more than a greeting, it is also a blessing. Peace is the most important gift we can ask from God, on an individual level, as families, and between nations. It is therefore of utmost significance that the world’s holiest city, Jerusalem (ירושלים), has the word ‘shalom’ at its core, because it is meant to be the source for all peace on earth. King David exhorts “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” for when Jerusalem is confronted with conflict, the whole world suffers, however when Jerusalem is at peace, the entire world enjoys serenity.
7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
ז יְהִי שָׁלוֹם בְּחֵילֵךְ שַׁלְוָה בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָיִךְ.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say: ‘Peace be within thee.’
ח לְמַעַן אַחַי וְרֵעָי אֲדַבְּרָה נָּא שָׁלוֹם בָּךְ.
9 For the sake of the house of Hashem our God I will seek thy good.
ט לְמַעַן בֵּית יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֲבַקְשָׁה טוֹב לָךְ.
How glad I was When unto me,
They said "let us with one accord.
Go to the temple of the Lord,
There to adore His Majesty"
Jerusalem where blessings wait,
Our feet are standing in thy gates,
Here will be bring our supplication.
Jerusalem is built so well,
It is the pride of Israel,
Securely knit are its foundations.
Let peace be found within your walls,
And in your palaces repose,
May blessings be conferred on those,
Who dwell within your favoured halls.
For friends and brethren I will say,
"Let peace abide in you for aye,
May nought disturb you now or ever"
By reason of G-d's temple fair
And for the mercy proffered there,
I will invoke your good forever. Psalm 122 verses 1 and 3