Nehemiah 9:5 - Exposition

Stand up . The people had prostrated themselves (see the comment on Nehemiah 9:3 ) for confession and prayer; they are now bidden to "stand up" for praise. Compare the practice of the Christian Church. Blessed be . Literally, "let them bless." The Levites turn their address, after its opening clause, from the people to Jehovah himself, who henceforth becomes the subject of it. Thy glorious name . The high honour due to the "name" of God is taught by the sacred writers with one uniform voice from Moses ( Exodus 20:7 )to the last 'surviving apostle ( Revelation 15:4 ). The "glorious name" of God is an expression which occurs four times in our version of the Old Testament; but the exact phrase here used is found only in Psalms 72:19 .