after the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11 And they sung together by course, in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy; 13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

These verses refer to the ceremony of laying the foundation of the second temple. The one built by Solomon was desolated, and finally burned by Nebuchadnezzar, who carried the Israelites into captivity. By a decree of the Persian monarch, that oppressed people had been permitted now to return to Judæa, and commence building another temple under the direction of Zerubbabel. It was erected upon the site of the first; but was inferior to that edifice in splendor. The ark of the covenant and mercy seat, the Shekinah or manifestation of the divine presence in the holy of holies, the sacred fire on the altar kindled from on high, the Urim and Thummim and the spirit of prophecy, which adorned and made sacred the first, were entirely wanting in this; still the glory of the latter, in one respect, excelled that of the former. The Saviour graced it with his presence and holy teachings. The foundations of this new temple were laid amid great rejoicings. Some shouted in tri

umph, while the aged, who had in by-gone days entered the courts of the former temple with thanksgiving, wept with a loud voice (verses 11, 12, 13). As they reflected upon their former prosperity, when they worshipped unmolested in that splendid edifice where Jehovah vouchsafed his presence-while contemplating its utter desolation, their fearful bondage in Babylonia, and the cheering prospect now before them of rearing another house of God upon the site of the former one, and once more entering its gates with praise, they were overwhelmed with mingled emotions of grief and joy.

Trumpets (v. 10).-These were straight trumpets.

Cymbals (v. 10) m'tsiltayim.-The same instruments as those mentioned in I Chron. xvi. 5, 42, and II Chron. xxix. 25.

EZRA vii. 7, 24.

7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.

24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

Artaxerxes, king of Persia, favored the project of rebuilding the temple at Jerusalem, and addressed a letter to Ezra upon the subject, assuring him that the priests, Levites, singers, porters, and Nethinims, should not be required to pay tribute, toll, or custom.

EZRA X. 24.

Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.

Singers.-After the Israelites had returned to the land of Judæa, they brought down upon themselves the indignation of Jehovah, by taking strange wives, and the judgments of heaven began to descend upon them. The singers were among the number of transgressors, and at the solicitation of Ezra, they put away their wives, humbled themselves before God, and secured again his favor.

THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

In some versions this is called the second book of Ezra. Nehemiah was born at Babylon during the captivity, was honored by Artaxerxes Longimanus, king of Persia, and finally became his cup-bearer. Though elevated to a high rank, he did not forget his kindred the Hebrews, and obtained permission of the king to assist them in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and the temple. He was appointed governor of the province of Judæa, and entered the holy city about thirteen years after the arrival of Ezra. The book contains an account of the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple, the opposition of Sanballat, and the first and second reformation, in respect to the Jews, accomplished by Nehemiah.

NEHEMIAH iv. 18-20.

And he that

19 And I said

18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. sounded the trumpet was by me. unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. 20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.

These verses refer to the expected attack of Israel's foes while the former were building the walls of Jerusalem. They were obliged to hold their weapon of warfare in one hand and build with the other.

Trumpet (vs. 18-20).-This was the shophar or crooked trumpet, used to sound an alarm. These verses in the Hebrew Bible are numbered 12, 13, and 14. The division into chapters and verses being of comparatively late origin, and not of divine authority, translators and revisers have felt at liberty to use their own judgment in making the divisions, thus causing some diversity in different versions and editions.

NEHEMIAH Vii. 1, 44, 67, 73.

1 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed.

44 The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight.

67 Beside their man-servants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing wom

en.

73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of, Israel were in their cities.

Singers (verses 1, 44, 73).-The children of Asaph were 148 in number. Some of these singers may have been more distant descendants of that eminent musician, than sons. When