John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. Then the Levites, Jeshua , etc.] Or, then the Levites, even Jeshua: and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah ; the same as before, with a little variation of their names, and perhaps some of them might have two names: and said ; to the men that stood and confessed their sins, ( Nehemiah 9:2) stand up ; for though they are before said to stand, yet, through shame and confusion of face, and awe of the Divine Majesty, might be fallen on their faces to the ground: and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever ; for all the great and good things he had done for them, notwithstanding their sins; and particularly for his pardoning grace and mercy they had reason to hope for: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise : the glory of which name, nature, and perfections of his, cannot be set forth by the highest praises of men, and the largest ascriptions of blessing and honour to him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 4-38 - The summary of their prayers we have here upon record. Much more, n doubt, was said. Whatever ability we have to do any thing in the way of duty, we are to serve and glorify God according to the utmost of it When confessing our sins, it is good to notice the mercies of God, tha we may be the more humbled and ashamed. The dealings of the Lord showe his goodness and long-suffering, and the hardness of their hearts. The testimony of the prophets was the testimony of the Spirit in the prophets, and it was the Spirit of Christ in them. They spake as the were moved by the Holy Ghost, and what they said is to be receive accordingly. The result was, wonder at the Lord's mercies, and the feeling that sin had brought them to their present state, from whic nothing but unmerited love could rescue them. And is not their conduc a specimen of human nature? Let us study the history of our land, an our own history. Let us recollect our advantages from childhood, an ask what were our first returns? Let us frequently do so, that we ma be kept humble, thankful, and watchful. Let all remember that pride an obstinacy are sins which ruin the soul. But it is often as hard to persuade the broken-hearted to hope, as formerly it was to bring the to fear. Is this thy case? Behold this sweet promise, A God ready to pardon! Instead of keeping away from God under a sense of unworthiness let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. He is a God ready to pardon _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ויאמרו559 הלוים3881 ישׁוע3442 וקדמיאל6934 בני1137 חשׁבניה2813 שׁרביה8274 הודיה1941 שׁבניה7645 פתחיה6611 קומו6965 ברכו1288 את853 יהוה3068 אלהיכם430 מן4480 העולם5769 עד5704 העולם5769 ויברכו1288 שׁם8034 כבודך3519 ומרומם7311 על5921 כל3605 ברכה1293 ותהלה׃8416
