Nehemiah 1:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

I sat down

Bible References

I sat down

The messenger replied, “Israel has fled before the Philistines and there has also been a great slaughter among the people. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been taken.”

Now while Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and laying himself face down before the house of God, a very large group from Israel, of men, women, and children, gathered to him, for the people wept bitterly.

For zeal for Your house has consumed me,
And the [mocking] insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.

You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
For it is time to be gracious and show favor to her;
Yes, the appointed time [the moment designated] has come.

By the rivers of Babylon,
There we [captives] sat down and wept,
When we remembered Zion [the city God imprinted on our hearts].

So I directed my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.

“I will gather those [Israelites in captivity] who grieve about the appointed feasts—
They came from you, [O Zion];
On whom the reproach [of exile] is a burden.

Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].