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Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Saul Israel Wisemon, Delaware County Jewish Community Center, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence Williams (R-PA)
Date of Prayer: 2 May 1968
Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence Williams (R-PA)
Date of Prayer: 2 May 1968
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| Contribute a translation | Source (English) |
|---|---|
מאת יהוה היתה זאת היא נפלאת בעינינו זה היום עשה יהוה נגילה ונשמחה בו׃ (תהלים קיח:כג-כד) |
This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:23-24). |
Our Father, who art in heaven, we pray that Thou wilt bless these men, chosen by the people of this Nation. | |
Bestow Thy blessings upon the President of these United States, the Vice President, the Speaker and Representatives of this great House, and all who minister unto the needs of this great Nation. | |
Standing before Thee, at this historic hour and place, we call to mind that twenty years have passed in Thy sight,[1] Psalms 90:4. since our beloved America, reared in the spiritual heritage of ancient Israel’s timeless Book, helped the young State of Israel, beacon and bastion of freedom and democracy, come into being. | |
We thank Thee, for the miracle of Israel, and Thy everlasting mercies, which endure forever. | |
We pray Thee, guide the State of Israel and all who minister unto her. Protect them, with the right, of the might, from above.[2] Possibly inspired by Irving Berlin’s lyrics for “God Bless America” (1918/1938), “Stand beside her and guide her / Through the night with the light from above.” | |
Grant, O Lord, that the bonds which make us feel a sense of spiritual kinship with Israel, may grow ever stronger, with the passage of time. | |
Guide Thou their way, that out of Zion shall come forth the law of justice, for all mankind, and Thy word of light, healing and hope for all Thy troubled children, everywhere from Jerusalem. | |
As we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we thank Thee for this our sweet land of liberty and democracy. | |
יברכך יהוה וישמרך יאר יהוה פניי אליך ויחנך ישא יהוה פניו אליך וישם לך שלום׃ (במדבר ו:כד-כו) |
May the Lord bless us and keep us, The Lord make His face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us, The Lord lift up His countenance upon us, and give us peace[3] Numbers 6:24–26, a/k/a the Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing). — Now and forever more. Amen. |
This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered in the fourth month of the second session of the 90th US Congress in the House of Representatives, and published in the Congressional Record, vol. 114, part 9 (2 May 1968), p. 11421.
Source(s)
Congressional Record, vol. 114, part 9 (2 May 1968), p. 11421
Notes
| 1 | Psalms 90:4. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Possibly inspired by Irving Berlin’s lyrics for “God Bless America” (1918/1938), “Stand beside her and guide her / Through the night with the light from above.” |
| 3 | Numbers 6:24–26, a/k/a the Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing). |
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ויהי נעם אדני אלהינו עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננה עלינו ומעשה ידינו כוננהו "May the pleasantness of אדֹני our elo’ah be upon us; may our handiwork be established for us — our handiwork, may it be established." –Psalms 90:17
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