9 But we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Because of them - Or, "over against them," i. e. opposite to the place where they were encamped, probably on the north side of the city.
We made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch - The strongest confidence in the protection and favor of God does not preclude the use of all or any of the means of self-preservation and defense which his providence has put in our power. While God works in us to will and to do, we should proceed to willing, through the power he has given us to will; and we should proceed to action, through the power he has given us to act. We cannot will, but through God's power; we cannot act, but through God's strength. The power, and the use of it, are two distinct things. We may have the power to will, and not will; and we may have the power to do, and not act: therefore, says the apostle, seeing God has wrought in you these powers, see that You Work Out Your Own salvation, with fear and trembling.
Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God,.... Spread their case before him in prayer, entreating direction and help from him:
and set a watch against them day and night, because of them; to give notice of their approach, that they might prepare to defend themselves; though they prayed to God, and trusted in him for deliverance, they did not neglect the use of means.
(4:3)
The Jews, on the other hand, made preparation by prayer, and by setting a watch (משׁמר, comp. Nehemiah 7:3; Nehemiah 13:30) day and night. We, viz., Nehemiah and the superintendents of the work, prayed and set a watch עליהם, against them, to ward off a probable attack. מפּניהם, for fear of them, comp. Nehemiah 4:10.
*More commentary available at chapter level.