Hallel Yom Yerushalayim: Paragraph Eight
We picture ourselves standing in the redeemed Jerusalem, filled with joy and gratitude, shocked that we survived for so long, challenged to rise higher than ever before, as described by Zechariah. We who have experienced the miracle of the reunification of Jerusalem and can observe as it expands wider and higher, have experienced the beginning of the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy::
1 The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.
2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.”
3 This is what the Lord says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”
4 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. 5 The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”
6 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the Lord Almighty.
7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. 8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”
9 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty. 10 Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,” declares the Lord Almighty.
12 “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. 13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse[a] among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing.[b] Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”
14 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the Lord Almighty, 15 “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid. 16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.
18 The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.
19 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”
20 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, 21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.’ 22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.”
23 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’” (Zechariah 8)
“Give thanks to God Who is good, for His kindness is forever!
Let Israel declare that His Kindness is forever!
Let the House of Aaron declare that His kindness is forever!
Let those who are in awe of God declare that His kindness if forever!
I called to the Creator of Heaven and Earth from a tight spot, and He answered me broadly. God is with me, I have no fear; what can people do to me?
God is with me to help me, so I can confront my enemies. It is better to depend in God than to trust people. It is better to depend on God than to trust people in power. All the nations surrounded me but I survived them in God’s Name. They surrounded and encircled me but I survived them in God’s Name. Though they surrounded me like a swarm of bees, they were snuffed out like burnt thorns. I survived them in God’s Name.
I was pushed to fall but God helped me. The Creator of Heaven and Earth is my Help and my Hammer, and became my Savior.
Song and victory sound in the tents of the just. God’s Hand makes victory.
God’s Hand is supreme.
God’s Hand makes victory!
I will not die but live, and tell of the doings of the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
The Creator afflicted me to direct me but did not destroy me.
Open the gates of justice for me, I will enter and thank the Creator. This is the gate to God, the just may enter here.
I thank You for answering me, You became my salvation.
The stone rejected by the builders became the cornerstone.
This happened because of God; it is wondrous in our eyes.
This is the day God made; let us sing and be happy with it.
Please God; Save us!
Please God; Make us successful!
Bless those who come in God’s Name; we bless you from God’s House.
God is The Power and gave us Light.
Wave your holiday branches up to the corners of the altar.
You are my Power and I thank You, My Lord and I will exalt You.
Give thanks to God Who is good, for His kindness is forever!”