“Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever” (Nehemiah 9:5).

Nehemiah had the privilege of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had utterly destroyed. Opposition came from without and within but, through Nehemiah’s leadership, the arduous task was completed in just fifty-two days (6:15).

At that point, Ezra, the scribe, read the Scripture to all the people, giving the sense and causing them to understand (8:1–8). This brought about a revival, causing them to cry out to God in great confession of sins, worshipping the Lord (9:1–3) followed by a great outpouring of praise to God. For what were they thankful? What truths caused them to bless the Lord? That the true God was their God. “Stand up and bless the LORD your God” (our text). That He is the one and only true God. “Thou, even thou, art LORD alone” (9:6). That He is the Creator of the universe. “Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein” (9:6). That He constantly preserves everything He has brought into existence. “And thou preservest them all” (9:6). That His name is above all names. “And blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise” (9:5). The identity of this name is personalized for us in the New Testament. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. . . . And that every tongue should confess” (Philippians 2:9–11).

God’s ancient people stood up and blessed the Lord. Should we not, with all our blessings, do the same? NPS