Nehemiah 12:27-4427And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. 28And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi; 29Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem. 30And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall. 31Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: 32And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, 33And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, 34Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, 35And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: 36And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them. 37And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward. 38And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall; 39And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate. 40So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: 41And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. 43Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. 44And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. (Nehemiah 12:27‑44)
One day, when the high walls of Jerusalem were finished, the people met together to give thanks to God that the great work was completed, and to dedicate those walls to Him; that meant, to make it known to all, that those walls were for use to the honor of God.
People now often meet to dedicate a new building, but perhaps not often to the honor of God. You may wonder how stone walls could be for an honor to God. It was because the temple of God was in that city, and the walls were to keep away any who would do harm to the temple, or bring evil ways to the people.
Many came from the country and towns of Judah to celebrate with those in the City. There were priests with the trumpets, men with cymbals and harps, and many singers to lead the people in praise and thanks to God.
Where do you suppose the men marched while they played and sang? On the top of the big stone walls. In our land there would hardly be a wall wide enough for men to march upon, but that wall was very wide and strong.
Nehemiah divided the men to lead the music and singing into two great companies, and other men also marched with them; Ezra led one company, and Nehemiah, one. They started from the fountain gate and went up the stairs unto the wall close by what was once the palace of King David; one company marching one way on the top of the walls, around the city; the other company marching the opposite way.
We cannot well describe this procession, for the gates and towers are not now the same, yet we can imagine what a great celebrating it must have been, the men singing and playing while they marched on top of the walls, and the people shouting and singing in the streets. All had helped with the work of the wails; if not in building, to supply food or other needs of the workers; and they all rejoiced together.
The two companies came together again at the sheep and the water gates, which seem to have been near the temple, and in that, they again praised God. No doubt many psalms were sung that day, as those were their hymns of praise to God.
Did you notice from where the men started the march to praise God? It was from the fountain gate. And we all must start at such a gate before we can sing praise to God; not at a city wall, but out “fountain gate” is the Lord Jesus Chirst, He only can give life and blessing.
Notice, too, the people were not sorry to praise and thank God but very happy.
Were the children also happy that day, and where was the sound of the singing heard? (Verse 13).
ML 01/28/1940