John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven , etc.] He prayed not to the host of heaven, the sun in it, as the Persians, but to the God of it, in an humble supplicant manner: the great and terrible God ; who is to be feared, and had in reverence of all his creatures, because of his greatness and glory, being God over all, blessed for ever, and his name holy and reverend: that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him, and observe his commandments ; who keep them from a principle of love to him; to those he has made gracious promises in his covenant, which he truly and faithfully performs; and the consideration of these perfections in God animates and encourages good men in prayer to him.
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 ואמר559 אנא577 יהוה3069 אלהי430 השׁמים8064 האל410 הגדול1419 והנורא3372 שׁמר8104 הברית1285 וחסד2617 לאהביו157 ולשׁמרי8104 מצותיו׃4687
