John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. And it came to pass, when I heard these words , etc.] This sad and melancholy account of things: that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days ; sat down upon the ground in dust and ashes, after the manner of mourners, and wept bitterly, and mourned in a most sorrowful manner, (see Job 2:8,12,13), and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven ; that made it, and dwells in it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Nehemiah's distress for the misery of Jerusalem, His prayer.
--Nehemiah was the Persian king's cup-bearer. When God has work to do he will never want instruments to do it with. Nehemiah lived at ease and in honour, but does not forget that he is an Israelite, and tha his brethren are in distress. He was ready to do them all the goo offices he could; and that he might know how best to do them kindness, he makes inquiries about them. We should inquire especiall concerning the state of the church and religion. Every Jerusalem of this side the heavenly one will have some defect, which will requir the help and services of its friends. Nehemiah's first application wa to God, that he might have the fuller confidence in his application to the king. Our best pleas in prayer are taken from the promise of God the word on which he has caused us to hope. Other means must be used but the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails most Communion with God will best prepare us for our dealings with men. When we have intrusted our concerns to God, the mind is set at liberty; i feels satisfaction and composure, and difficulties vanish. We know tha if the affair be hurtful, he can easily hinder it; and if it be goo for us, he can as easily forward it _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 כשׁמעי8085 את853 הדברים1697 האלה428 ישׁבתי3427 ואבכה1058 ואתאבלה56 ימים3117 ואהי1961 צם6684 ומתפלל6419 לפני6440 אלהי430 השׁמים׃8064
