Nehemiah's efforts at rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem finally paid off. The leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem and they cast lots in the surrounding villages to resettle one tenth of the people living there to Jerusalem. Among those going to Jerusalem were priests descended from Levi, gatekeepers, temple servants, and descendants of Asaph who led in thanksgiving and prayer.
With all these, it was time to dedicate the wall of Jerusalem. What a sight that must have been. The Levites provided the music of cymbals, harps, and lyres and singers came from the surrounding villages. The priests purified themselves, they purified the people and the gates and even the wall. Then, two large choirs proceeded along the top of the wall surrounding Jerusalem from two sides followed by the leaders of Judah, priests with trumpets and musical instruments. They stopped at the Gate of the Guard where they gave thanks then went to the temple where they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem was heard far away.
The people who had been taken away were finally back home and once more praising the Lord. The walls of Jerusalem once more surround God's people and his love surrounds them as well.
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem,
so the LORD is round about his people
from henceforth even for ever. . -Ps 125:2 KJV
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