ולירושלים עירך
AND TO YERUSHALAYIM YOUR CITY
Yerushalayim is “Your” city; David Hamelech built Yerushalayim only for Hashem, and we therefore ask You to return there, and restore it once more as “Your city”, the city it was originally meant to be.
ברחמים
WITH MERCY
Do not wait until we are worthy, but rather return with mercy and compassion upon Your beloved children, for they have suffered and still suffer with unwavering loyalty to You, Hashem.
תשוב
YOU SHALL RETURN
Our primary tefillah in the rebuilding of Yerushalayim is that “You shall return” in full measure and rest Your שכינה there.
ותשכון בתוכה
AND YOU SHALL DWELL IN ITS MIDST
Unlike a king that resides outside the city in an inaccessible place, we ask that You “dwell in its midst”, so that all that visit can see Your glory, and perhaps even succeed in seeing the King himself.
