A Prayer for the Nation's Welfare+

1Lord, you have been merciful to your land;

you have made Israel prosperous again.

2You have forgiven your people's sins

and pardoned all their wrongs.

3You stopped being angry with them

and held back your furious rage.

4Bring us back, O God our savior,

and stop being displeased with us!

5Will you be angry with us forever?

Will your anger never cease?

6Make us strong again,

and we, your people, will praise you.

7Show us your constant love, O Lord,

and give us your saving help.

8I am listening to what the Lord God is saying;

he promises peace to us, his own people,

if we do not go back to our foolish ways.

9Surely he is ready to save those who honor him,

and his saving presence will remain in our land.

10Love and faithfulness will meet;

righteousness and peace will embrace.

11Human loyalty will reach up from the earth,

and God's righteousness will look down from heaven.

12The Lord will make us prosperous,

and our land will produce rich harvests.

13Righteousness will go before the Lord

and prepare the path for him.