SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:9
Entonces oramos a nuestro Dios, y por causa de ellos pusimos guarda de día y de noche sobre los que edificaban .
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:9
Verse 9. We made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch] The strongest confidence in the protection and favour 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God , etc.] 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-15 - The hindering good work is what bad men aim at, and promise themselve success in; but good work is God's work, and it shall prosper. God ha many ways of bringing to light, and so of bringing to nought, the devices and designs of his church's enemies. If our enemies cannot frighten us from duty, or deceive us into sin, they cannot hurt us Nehemiah put himself and his cause under the Divine protection. It wa the way of this good man, and should be our way. All his cares, all his griefs, all his fears, he spread before God. Before he used any means he made his prayer to God. Having prayed, he set a watch against the enemy. If we think to secure ourselves by prayer, without watchfulness we are slothful, and tempt God; if by watchfulness, without prayer, we are proud, and slight God: either way, we forfeit his protection. God' care of our safety, should engage and encourage us to go on with vigou in our duty. As soon as a danger is over, let us return to our work and trust God another time.
Original Hebrew
ונתפלל 6419 אל 413 אלהינו 430 ונעמיד 5975 משׁמר 4929 עליהם 5921 יומם 3119 ולילה 3915 מפניהם׃ 6440
