27 Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places , to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness , with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals , harps and lyres . 28 So the sons of the singers were assembled from the district around Jerusalem , and from the villages of the Netophathites , 29 from Beth-gilgal and from their fields in Geba and Azmaveth , for the singers had built themselves villages around Jerusalem . 30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people , the gates and the wall . 31 Then I had the leaders of Judah come up on top e of the wall , and I appointed two great choirs , the first proceeding to the right on top e of the wall toward the Refuse Gate . 32 Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah followed e them, 33 with Azariah , Ezra , Meshullam , 34 Judah , Benjamin , Shemaiah , Jeremiah , 35 and some of the sons of the priests with trumpets ; and Zechariah the son of Jonathan , the son of Shemaiah , the son of Mattaniah , the son of Micaiah , the son of Zaccur , the son of Asaph , 36 and his kinsmen , Shemaiah , Azarel , Milalai , Gilalai , Maai , Nethanel , Judah and Hanani , with the musical instruments of David the man of God . And Ezra the scribe went before them. 37 At the Fountain Gate they went directly up the steps of the city of David by the stairway of the wall above e the house of David to the Water Gate on the east . 38 The second choir proceeded to the left , while I followed them with half of the people on the wall , above e the Tower of Furnaces , to the Broad Wall , 39 and above e the Gate of Ephraim , by the Old Gate , by the Fish Gate , the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred , as far as the Sheep Gate ; and they stopped at the Gate of the Guard . 40 Then the two choirs took their stand in the house of God . So did I and half of the officials with me; 41 and the priests , Eliakim , Maaseiah , Miniamin , Micaiah , Elioenai , Zechariah and Hananiah , with the trumpets ; 42 and Maaseiah , Shemaiah , Eleazar , Uzzi , Jehohanan , Malchijah , Elam and Ezer . And the singers sang , with Jezrahiah their leader , 43 and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy , even the women and children rejoiced , so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 12:27-43
Commentary on Nehemiah 12:27-43
(Read Nehemiah 12:27-43)
All our cities, all our houses, must have holiness to the Lord written upon them. The believer should undertake nothing which he does not dedicate to the Lord. We are concerned to cleanse our hands, and purify our hearts, when any work for God is to pass through them. Those that would be employed to sanctify others, must sanctify themselves, and set themselves apart for God. To those who are sanctified, all their creature-comforts and enjoyments are made holy. The people greatly rejoiced. All that share in public mercies, ought to join in public thanksgivings.